Follow us on social

49720569097_bbdeb3256c_o-scaled

America has no clothes: COVID-19 exposes how unfettered money in politics has left the US unprepared

We were raised to believe in American exceptionalism. But why are we on track to have the worst coronavirus pandemic outbreak of any country on Earth?

Analysis | Washington Politics
In the greatest country across all the lands, life was always splendid. “Oh, what a magnificent economy!” the pundits declared, praising record-low unemployment and sky-high stock prices. And the virus whispered quietly in the crowd, “But those many employed have no benefits, no sick leave. They have no savings and no safety net. Those stock prices, meanwhile, are inflated with buybacks. The national debt is great, despite this prosperity. The companies are weak and make little investment in their futures.” “We have so much wealth!” politicians announced with glee. The virus murmured in the background, “But that wealth is concentrated with the very rich. Most Americans struggle day-to-day and cannot afford a single financial emergency.” The generals lauded the world’s most powerful military, in a country that spends more on its defense than the next seven highest-spending countries combined. “Americans can sleep well,” they said, “under the protection of our unparalleled defense.” “But how are you protecting them at home?” asked the virus, knowing that military provided little security against gun violence, cyberattacks, misinformation, and, of course, illness. Powerful hospital management companies celebrated and bragged of the world’s most advanced medical technology and its most skilled healthcare experts. The virus listened to this boasting and was genuinely perplexed. The virus knew, after all, that even with all the finest expertise, America’s healthcare was the most expensive and inaccessible in the world. The virus knew, too, that the United States had fewer physicians, fewer hospitals per capita, and fewer hospital beds per 1,000 people than most wealthy nations. “Why would they brag,” the virus asked, “when that great healthcare offers so little to most of its people?” The pundits, politicians, generals, and executives all looked on at the country of which they were so proud, and they praised it. “Magnificent! Excellent! Unsurpassed!” they proclaimed. “But America hasn’t got anything on,” the little virus said.

***

We were raised to believe in American exceptionalism, the justification for our massive global footprint and ever-expanding military. For decades, we have led, and when no one follows, we go where we want to anyway. Our leadership tells us it’s our prerogative because we are a benevolent force in the world, so trust us, we’re just doing what’s right. Many politicians (in particular on the right, but not exclusively) lambast those who question our greatness as unworthy. It is not a problem with America; it is a problem with her critics. But if we’re such a benevolent and powerful global leader, why are we on track to have the worst coronavirus pandemic outbreak of any country on Earth? What’s the point of being a world power if you can only portray strength to the outside, leaving your own population to suffer? I won’t downplay the dangerous impact of the Trump administration’s dishonesty and amateur bungling. Its navel gazing has no doubt made this national crisis exponentially worse than it might have been under, say, a professional administration led by experience. It isn’t sufficient though to blame current leadership. Our system has been on a path for a national reckoning for some time. Money drives not only our economy but both our healthcare and political systems. The role of money in politics has increased dramatically since Citizens United in 2010, and with it the influence of corporations, wealthy donors, and special interest groups. Transparency in political funding is gone. Bribery on a massive scale is effectively legal. Industry executives and lobbyists aren’t just influencing the government; they’re joining it in greater numbers. The revolving door between private sector and the very government intended to regulate it is in a veritable spin, blurring the lines and roles between the two. The enhanced influence of big business has shattered capitalism’s guardrails. Unfettered capitalism has directly impeded our healthcare industry’s effectiveness. With hospitals and pharmaceutical companies focused on profit, our healthcare industry is optimized for profit rather than treatment. Healthcare systems designed as a public good are designed to build in contingencies for the needs of the community in good times and bad. Healthcare systems built for maximum profit provide the optimum number of resources to ensure maximized use at all times. Excess capacity cuts into earnings, so surge capacity does not exist. The overwhelming influence of money in politics has influenced our government’s world view and world engagement as well. Our defense budget has grown exponentially since World War II. Rather than insulating and protecting us from conflict, it has dragged us further in. By 2018, contractors received nearly half of our defense budget, and the industry lobbies hard to protect its financial interests. The top 20 defense companies have already contributed nearly $18 million to the 2020 election cycle so far. Unsurprisingly, many of our elected officials are consistently strong advocates of increased defense spending. Advocacy for soft power tools is not as enthusiastic, since politicians have little to gain from enhanced diplomatic measures. None of this is new, and the consequences have been growing for some time. Everyday Americans have paid for it for decades. The costs have been right in front of us all along. But since this virus has called it out, the failings of our country are clearly exposed for all of the world to see. Now we are cloaked in Trump’s boasting alone. America has no clothes.
President Donald J. Trump listens as Dr. Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, delivers remarks during a coronavirus (COVID-19) update briefing Monday, March 30, 2020, in the Rose Garden at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
Analysis | Washington Politics
Ukraine-Poland row exposes history, limits of devotion
Credit: Polish President Andrzej Duda (Shutterstock/BikerBarakuss) and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky (Shutterstock/Oleksandr Osipov)

Ukraine-Poland row exposes history, limits of devotion

QiOSK

The vitriolic dispute between Poland and Ukraine brings out some aspects of the West’s approach to the war in Ukraine that the Ukrainian government would do well to study carefully.

The dispute originated in charges by Poland and other central European governments that Ukraine’s greatly increased grain exports to Europe — a consequence of the Russian closure of the Black Sea to Ukrainian maritime trade — were flooding European markets and depressing prices for Polish and other farmers.

keep readingShow less
Rep. Gerry Connolly

Rep. Gerry Connolly, screengrab via https://www.youtube.com/@FArepublicans

How members of Congress can take on Iran hawks

Middle East

During a recent House hearing on “Iran’s escalating threats,” a Democratic lawmaker completely dismantled all the myths opponents of diplomacy peddle about Iran and its nuclear program.

The hearing was dominated by hawkish voices on Iran, who urged for increasing pressure and spurned any diplomatic engagement. The only exception was Suzanne Maloney from the Brookings Institute, who took a more moderate stance.

keep readingShow less
Wall Street Journal

Editorial credit: monticello / Shutterstock.com

WSJ conceals Saudi funding of pro-Saudi nuke deal source

QiOSK

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that “Israeli officials are quietly working with the Biden administration on a polarizing proposal to set up a U.S.-run uranium-enrichment operation in Saudi Arabia as part of a complex three-way deal to establish official diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern countries,” according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

The article, authored by Dion Nissenbaum and Dov Lieber, largely showcases Israeli opposition to the deal. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a group whose mission includes providing “education to enhance Israel’s image in North America…” was quoted opposing a uranium enrichment program on Saudi soil. He warned that “we’re one bullet away from a disaster in Saudi Arabia,” adding, “What happens if, God forbid, a radical Islamist leader takes control?”

keep readingShow less

Ukraine War Crisis

Latest