American Image and the American Dream

JACK
I have been fascinated by the demonstrations in South America, against the United States and the Bush regime. I have lived through many changes of image of what we as a people, as a country, are all about. But it seems to me there is today a terrible unity of opinion about the damage that we are doing to the people and to the world around them. And I must reflect on the big question — how did we get there? And the ultimate question — what do we do about it?

HILLARY
Jack, I think it’s really interesting that you called the Bush administration the Bush ‘regime’. It really puts the US government in the same category as we put other nations and dictators. Sometimes I think the ‘image’ of the United States that we have in our minds is the only place that image exists. It certainly doesn’t exist in the minds of anyone outside of the US, and it’s hardly even been for me, and those in my generation IN the US. And these demonstrations in South America — people burning effigies of President Bush with a swastika and a Hitler moustache — is a clear picture of how our government and the regime in the White House are perceived around the world. The question you stated is right, but I think it’s not only how do we get the image back in the world, but how do we get the people IN the US to believe in the American Dream again?

JACK
The word regime was Freudian sub-conscious but now that I reflect on it, it unfortunately rings true. The reality is that we had an exciting election in November that says that the people want a change. Every poll says that not only Mr. Bush but also the War in Iraq is unpopular by a 70-30 margin. The democrats came in promising change, but here we are, four months later, and nothing substantial has been accomplished to change our direction.

HILLARY
Well, you know how I feel about the difference between Democrats and Republicans these days.

JACK
You may be right. This may apply to the groups as a whole, but there is a great difference in the people. That being said, we do have some prominent Republicans who have voiced their disapproval the actions of the government. The real problem is how do we go pass the diplomatic smoke and mirrors, and really get something done within the framework of the constitution? I am of the opinion that something’s got to snap. There is too much dissention to be ignored. Some of the happenings are almost laughable: Starting with Scooter and going to Newt Gingrich confessing to his affair even while he led the fight to impeach Clinton for the very same reason. I cannot believe that this kind of dishonesty and arrogance of power has escaped the American people. In the end, I think that the changes will be made because the pressure is getting so great. All the events contribute to that. The slaughter in Iraq, the terrible conditions in the hospitals for wounded veteran rehabilitation, and the total in competence. So much for the feeling that the further to right the more competent you are.

HILLARY
Left, right, Democrat, Republican. All of these terms create division. There needs to be unity, and cooperation now. If the American people are to get back the image that you once held about the glory of this country, then we need a common voice. We need to have a leader or group of leaders who say: enough is enough. Stop hurling blame onto your rival, stop projection fear and anger, and start showing us the way. But even with the change in the house, and even with the hopes for an end to American war in Iraq, I still don’t see you getting your American Dream back. I certainly don’t see it.

JACK
We must learn something from history. I remember very clearly how divided we were before we entered World War II. I also remembered how the British establishment and particularly the press vilified Winston Churchill. But somehow, history tells us that the power was overthrown. When we entered World War II we were a divided nation, but when the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor, we were unified, and three years later, we were victorious. We had the same situation with 9/11, and that unity was destroyed. Properly led we could have waged our war against terror without invading a country that really was not the origin of the attack on the United States. I agree with most critics that we are struggling through the worst presidency in our history, and I believe so strongly in the underpinnings in this country, that some force, or combination of forces are going to turn us around. We started by talking about the image of the United States. The image was never brighter than it was at the end of World War II, but even then there were millions of people around the world who hated, mistrusted, or envied us. To them, we were the rich relative, and we still are. What makes it truly tough today, is that we do not have the statesman who can attack the root cause of the problem. And the problem today is that the lines have become blurred between greed, religion and distrust.

HILLARY
Hopefully, it won’t take another 9/11 to make those lines clear.

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