Thank you for an intelligent, well written piece and this is coming from a former liberal republican - you might recall that species when you lived in Wayne- now a Democrat because I actually have a neuron or two between my ears. I have taking every opportunity I can in social media, over drinks with "progressives", postings to opinion pages to make similar points especially on trade. I get angry every time Tump or Bernie rattle their sabers as if they knew what to do with one if they had them because they are so clearly uniformed about have well we do in trade and how it improves lives exponentially but not as you point out evenly. Help out your neighbor, as is the American way, if he gets hurt by a transition due to trade but don't hurt the country while doing it.
21
The United States wins the most medals, yet it's citizens are among the unhealthiest in the world. The US Olympians are hardly a reflection of our people.
62
If only the rest of America had the discipline, ambition and fortitude of our Olympic athletes. No telling how great we could be.
17
So America’s greatness is reflected in its Olympic medals (despite the fact that Scandinavia & the Caribbean have historically lead in medals per capita) & the FDA. If I weren’t already an ex-pat, I’d move to Jamaica - sun, sea, music & lots of Olympic medals. Oh, yeah, you can keep the FDA, David.
24
America is great by many measures, and it always was. Americans also have a history and a present that they'd rather not discuss -- confiscation of Native American and Mexican land, slavery, schools that don't educate children of low income communities and companies that don't hire their parents, and huge rates of incarceration. Yes, this wealthy nation supports athletics and our athletes shine. We support music, theater, and arts and our artists shine, but one hand doesn't wash the other. America is great at what it chooses. It doesn't choose to be great at improving education in low income communities, and it doesn't choose to admit its debt to those who were enslaved to build it and their progeny who have suffered and still suffer from the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. Those who falsely think that they aren't suffering these legacies want those who do feel that legacy to just forget about it and move on. That's not a great idea and it never has been.
88
SOME of our athletes aren't so good, like Lochte and his buddies. Most of them probably are pretty good. What's really good is the love and sacrifice that their parents make, so their kids can realize their dreams.
34
Is The New York Times as bad as its columnists with the initials DB and MD?
26
We worship elite athletes who have benefited from their focus and attention to training in their sports and marvel at their accomplishments, but when it comes to elites in other fields who have put their focus and attention on becoming educated, proficient, insightful leaders in their chosen fields, elite becomes an epithet. I don't get it.
117
Our politics is clearly not as nearly as good as our athletes.
And the reason is crystal clear, David.
Mann and Ornstein, scholars at a right-wing think tank, pointed out years ago the essence of the problem. It is the Republican Party.
Unlike our athletes, who focus like a laser on what they CAN do, Republican politicians and their supporters - like you - focus on CAN'T do. No plans, no policy, no accomplishments, not even the most basic part of their jobs - holding nomination hearings for example.
Their only policy can be summed up in one word, like a terrible two-year old: NO!!!
And by breaking the political system, the very culture of Democracy, they - and you - created Donald Trump.
Look in the mirror and let those dollar sign scales fall from you eyes and see the ugliness there.
And the reason is crystal clear, David.
Mann and Ornstein, scholars at a right-wing think tank, pointed out years ago the essence of the problem. It is the Republican Party.
Unlike our athletes, who focus like a laser on what they CAN do, Republican politicians and their supporters - like you - focus on CAN'T do. No plans, no policy, no accomplishments, not even the most basic part of their jobs - holding nomination hearings for example.
Their only policy can be summed up in one word, like a terrible two-year old: NO!!!
And by breaking the political system, the very culture of Democracy, they - and you - created Donald Trump.
Look in the mirror and let those dollar sign scales fall from you eyes and see the ugliness there.
203
Standing at a bus stop in Copenhagen a few years ago and during a chat with an elderly Danish lady she remarked 'we need America'. There are a lot of folks we'll never meet who feel the same way. It's good to hear the up side of our country once in a while. Thanks, Dave!
87
For once I disagree with Mr. Brooks. We're doing about as [sic] good as Ryan Lochte.
26
Another person blinded by the shiny medals. The greatest country on earth would make sure every citizen has access to healthcare so they are healthy enough to swim before they pour millions of dollars into training programs to make a handful of athletes swim faster than a fish. The greatest country on earth would make sure all its bridges won't collapse on a car before it pours millions into training an athlete to run faster than a car. The greatest country on earth would make sure none of its citizens get shot by the police for being black before it's athletes are sent to shoot at targets for prizes. The summation of our society is two words- backward priorities.
107
This is the best piece David has written in a long while. Well thought out, fact based and true. If we could only get "The Donald" and his minions to read it. Oh, thats right, they don't let facts get in the way of their passionate views.
36
Yes and no. We need a new national seal that replaces In God We Trust with "Nobody Loves You When You're Down And Out".
7
Those figures are true for corporations and their largest shareholders, but not for individual Americans. Gold medals look nice in the mansion or clubhouse, but they don't help me make my mortgage payments or pay for college. Only wages can do that.
17
Why do people say things like “talent must be distributed equally” when all the evidence of our eyes from watching the Olympics is that talent is not distributed equally? Instead, talent is distributed in complex patterns by nature, which are in turn made even more complex by nurture.
Do pundits feel particularly compelled to testify to their faith in anti-empirical egalitarianism during the Olympics when the evidence of human biodiversity is so obvious?
Do pundits feel particularly compelled to testify to their faith in anti-empirical egalitarianism during the Olympics when the evidence of human biodiversity is so obvious?
14
Mr. Brooks, this is a nice piece -- enjoyable to read, and thought-stirring. Sorry to see the pessimists step to the fore in these comments.
9
as others have noted, for every good athlete or Good American to be named and lauded, there's a Ryan Lochte, a Stephen Bannon (of Breitbart, now Trump), some other reprehensible in position of power / influence / adulation, lest we at any point feel superior to any other nation in this regard; for every true hero some poseur foisted upon public by a complaisant compliant media including too often NYT's own DB.
14
Institutions are only as strong as the human commitment to them. The ideology of government-bashing has truly taken its toll.
21
Mr Brooks:Republicans are pessimistic. And rightly so...the curtain has been pulled back and the party Reagan built has been exposed for what it stands for: bankrupt policies (trickle down economics, tax cuts, military weapons for all, a wink and a nod for cheap seasonal labor but no immigration reform). The rest of us are somewhat optimistic if we can elect a sane president and get rid of a do-nothing Republican Congress. You speak for yourself and your fellow Republicans who see special benefits for aging white men disappearing.
28
Politicians don't win office by proclaiming "Everything is great! No need to change anything!".
5
Such a disappointing article. Disappointing mainly because it is written by the author of the book "The Road to Character". First, mr. Brooks tells people what character is all about and now he mentions Lochte as a great American story. I must have missed the part where you say that lying is a must have quality in order to build a great character.
Secondly, it is a very disappointing article from an analysis standpoint. To measure the success of a nation based on the absolute number of medals earned is ludicrous. Medals per capita is a far better indicator of how well a nation does. By this metric US is not near the top. Mr. Brooks mentions this fact very briefly as if it doesn't matter. According to Mr. Brooks's analysis, a town of 1,000 people with 50 national champions is far less successful than a city of 5 million people with 1,000 national champions. To Mr. Brooks, the only important factor of success is that 1,000 is greater than 50. 5% of a certain population versus 0.02% is far more relevant indicator. Oh well!
Secondly, it is a very disappointing article from an analysis standpoint. To measure the success of a nation based on the absolute number of medals earned is ludicrous. Medals per capita is a far better indicator of how well a nation does. By this metric US is not near the top. Mr. Brooks mentions this fact very briefly as if it doesn't matter. According to Mr. Brooks's analysis, a town of 1,000 people with 50 national champions is far less successful than a city of 5 million people with 1,000 national champions. To Mr. Brooks, the only important factor of success is that 1,000 is greater than 50. 5% of a certain population versus 0.02% is far more relevant indicator. Oh well!
22
America is indeed a great country but I must say I am very unnerved by the number of ignorant Trump supporters. I thought we were better than that and I thought we had moved beyond the level of racism and hatred as evidenced by Trump supporters as well as the vitriol spewed at President Obama by the GOP in the last 8 years. On top of that, we see the misogynistic vitriol spewed at HRC especially during the dystopian Republican convention.
We still have a very long way to go to achieve our more perfect union.
We still have a very long way to go to achieve our more perfect union.
42
Don't be silly David. Americans revere competitive sports because it is the one remaining area of American life that is largely an unregulated meritocracy. In sports, the sole goal is to win -- win fairly, but win. Athletes and coaches who succeed hold onto their positions; those who don't are summarily replaced. Imagine what the University of Alabama football program would be like if it was run like the rest of university -- endless worry about the racial profile and gender identification of the team, coaches with tenure regardless of ability, efforts to make the game less strenuous, violent or dangerous, political correct wording for all of the plays and formations. In other words, endless focus on things that have nothing to do with the mission of winning football games.
Now, imagine what it would be like if our entire country was run like the University of Alabama football program . . . America winning again.
Now, imagine what it would be like if our entire country was run like the University of Alabama football program . . . America winning again.
11
David, what kind of feel-good propaganda are you pushing. there were two athletes who proved themselves idiots - Solo and Lochte - did you somehow forget that? we are not a perfect nation, there are many haters in this country, and Trump is attempting to make sure their hatred is heard all around for the world to see. this pap of yours is a waste of words ...
17
Only if you believe in fairy tales....... The Olympic team is NOT the real world. Never has been, never will be. This nation is more divided than ever and that's not helping. We don't even know how to spell Team. Obama has NOT helped the situation.
6
This is a great country . But the country
is a composition of classes, interest groups etc.
When our magnificent black athletes who won a sizeable
porrtiion of the medals get home will they
find the 'great' country Mr Brooks describes?
The obvious marvelous achievements in all fields have they been of
hejp to all strata of our society or just to a relatively chosen few?
This discrepancy explains the negative feelings and the crisis of
our politics, economy etc
is a composition of classes, interest groups etc.
When our magnificent black athletes who won a sizeable
porrtiion of the medals get home will they
find the 'great' country Mr Brooks describes?
The obvious marvelous achievements in all fields have they been of
hejp to all strata of our society or just to a relatively chosen few?
This discrepancy explains the negative feelings and the crisis of
our politics, economy etc
17
The U. S. high school Mathematical Olympiad team just won first place in the world competition. But your newspaper didn't report this. That competition doesn't get supported by commercials.
You generally talk about community. Well, consider this. Americans are good at organizing things and setting goals and reaching them -- but always with support, usually not acknowledged, from public and private schools, private and public universities, public infrastructure. Insofar as we're great, that's what makes it so.
You generally talk about community. Well, consider this. Americans are good at organizing things and setting goals and reaching them -- but always with support, usually not acknowledged, from public and private schools, private and public universities, public infrastructure. Insofar as we're great, that's what makes it so.
43
Not just the paper, David Brooks is allergic to the Tiger Mom phenomenon where Jewish and Asian moms push their kids to excel in everything.
10
Too many people sitting in judgement over our exceptional achievers. At the Olympics, armchair opinionmakers pass judgement on athletes behavior (didn't show enough happiness at the podium - after all we're letting you stand there to represent our country, didn't win the gold so not an all time great!). Lets look at our country through the lens of our own contributions, not what others couldn't do for us.
3
Brooks writes, "Yet when you watch the Olympics, we don’t seem like some sad-sack country in terminal decline." Right, we merely seem like some sad-sack country (i.e. all others best I can tell) whose people, for the enjoyment of a product, -- a cell phone, the Olympics, food -- are content to ignore the exploitation of those who produce the product.
And, of course, those workers who speak up -- well, we know what happens to workers who want to say something about their exploitation. Let's not forget Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos who, just for raising their black-gloved arms, were stripped of their medals by Avery Brundage and the I.O.C., while "Brundage, who was president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1936, had made no objections against Nazi salutes during the Berlin Olympics." (Wikipedia quote) Nor should we forget that the I.O.C. had no problem with Mexico massacring several hundred (mostly) students so that I.O.C. corporate activities would be accepted without blemish in the rest of the world. Or that the same corporation refused to suspend the Olympics when Israeli athletes were massacred by Palestinian terrorists in the Olympic Village.
Hey, but why act surprised? The bottom line of all large corporations is profit, no matter how much their well-funded ads imply otherwise.
And, of course, those workers who speak up -- well, we know what happens to workers who want to say something about their exploitation. Let's not forget Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos who, just for raising their black-gloved arms, were stripped of their medals by Avery Brundage and the I.O.C., while "Brundage, who was president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1936, had made no objections against Nazi salutes during the Berlin Olympics." (Wikipedia quote) Nor should we forget that the I.O.C. had no problem with Mexico massacring several hundred (mostly) students so that I.O.C. corporate activities would be accepted without blemish in the rest of the world. Or that the same corporation refused to suspend the Olympics when Israeli athletes were massacred by Palestinian terrorists in the Olympic Village.
Hey, but why act surprised? The bottom line of all large corporations is profit, no matter how much their well-funded ads imply otherwise.
10
One cannot compare the state of our country to Olympic athletes. Our "progressive" controlled federal government is a race toward mediocrity while the athletes strive for excellence. Kind of like the difference between socialism and capitalism - socialism trends toward mediocrity while the competition driving capitalism trends toward excellence.
4
I'll have to find those polls that claim American young people lament democracy because what I'm hearing are screams for democracy. The balance of this Opinion goes on to extol the virtues of capitalism and therein lies the problem. Unfettered American capitalism is failing the Country because it is destroying democracy.
20
Just sticking to the athletic performance and general wellness arenas, while we have many world-class athletes, we also have a general population which is in much less good shape than our counterparts in other countries. We are, relatively speaking, more overweight, more stressed, more sleep-deprived, less vacationed, eat much less healthy diets, and so forth. Of course, dealing in generalities and statistical measures obscures the variations among us. But my overly simplistic answer to Mr Brooks' title question would be, 'No.'
8
Are we as good as Ryan Lochte you ask?
I truly hope we're better than an entitled, moronic, man child.
But then again, that is how the world sees us, with our constant wars, corrupt politicians and rigged elections.
So I guess you are right, we're just as good as Ryan Lochte.
I truly hope we're better than an entitled, moronic, man child.
But then again, that is how the world sees us, with our constant wars, corrupt politicians and rigged elections.
So I guess you are right, we're just as good as Ryan Lochte.
7
No. This is how the world sees us with the presidential nomination of Donald Trump.
8
No!
5
The country is on the wrong track. We’re getting our clocks cleaned in global trade deals. We’re still suffering from the humiliation of Iraq.
It isn't pessimism to say so, it is realism.
Republicans did that, with cheering from Brooks along the way.
Now the right wing of the Democrats is joining in under Hillary, so her supporters tell us reality just isn't so.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but "The country is on the wrong track. We’re getting our clocks cleaned in global trade deals. We’re still suffering from the humiliation of Iraq."
It isn't pessimism to say so, it is realism.
Republicans did that, with cheering from Brooks along the way.
Now the right wing of the Democrats is joining in under Hillary, so her supporters tell us reality just isn't so.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but "The country is on the wrong track. We’re getting our clocks cleaned in global trade deals. We’re still suffering from the humiliation of Iraq."
17
It seems like comparing apples to oranges. 45 million Americans still stuck below the poverty line, 30,000 deaths from guns per year,children drinking lead water in the year 2016, infrastructure crumbling,racial division getting worse, Wall Street bankers never held accountable for destroying the economy under a Democrat president. Trade deals haven't worked out well for the middle class in this country.
Pointing out the problems we currently face isn't being pessimistic. It's just not putting our heads in the sand and giving false praise for our country when we aren't doing well.
Pointing out the problems we currently face isn't being pessimistic. It's just not putting our heads in the sand and giving false praise for our country when we aren't doing well.
5
As of December 23, a total of 12,942 people had been killed in the United States in 2015 in a gun homicide, unintentional shooting, or murder/suicide, according to https://www.thetrace.org/2015/12/gun-violence-stats-2015/
2
The simple fact our medal winners must pay taxes on their world class medals(achievements), pretty much answers that question.
(aka)
The Bureaucrat Plague!
(aka)
The Bureaucrat Plague!
1
"Talent must be distributed equally"
There is no reason why this must be the case.
There is no reason why this must be the case.
5
More than that, nothing disproves the absurdity that "talent must be distributed equally" than the Olympics.
3
Talent isn't a commodity that can be earned, doled out or redistributed by economic policy or legislation. That's all he's saying.
2
the biggest lie of the campaign that trump and the republicans tell is that American is not great and needs to be made whole again. America is great but needs to continue on the path of continuous improvement. that means moving forward with more inclusiveness, a better social safety net, and better distribution of wealth. we do not need to return to the era of the 1950s to be great again. the underpinning of our greatness is not democracy. countries like turkey and Russia have plenty of democracy but they also have an equal measure of tyranny. what girds our greatness is our commitment to individual rights. you can have all the democracy in the world but without individual rights to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority you are not going to get greatness you are going to get failure to thrive.
5
We USED to be great.
1
Mr. Brooks:
just double-checking here:
of the two major party candidates currently contesting to be the next president:
which is the promotor of a self-described currently doomed country that needs to return to the glorious days of the 50s?
that is, the 1850s?
and which is the champion of building-upon what we now have to reach new heights with more and more participants?
thought so - - -
your: ..."...stupid and fearful choices..."...
would be those old republican'ts ...
all you have to do is ask - - -
there is still time for you to make an informed choice and come-on-board ...
leave that dismal old party of yours for once and for all ...
4
You mean we should vote for the war criminal who destroyed Libya? The one who had her aide killed for leaking her emails? the one who hired DWS after it was discovered that the DNR rigged the election? the one who took money for her foundation in exchange for favors as the Secretary of State?
That one? yea, no thanks.
We're trying to be better than her. We're trying to be the newly reformed and grown up Phelps, not party bro Ryan Lochte.
That one? yea, no thanks.
We're trying to be better than her. We're trying to be the newly reformed and grown up Phelps, not party bro Ryan Lochte.
2
Please. Here in St Paul, we have a public school union employee with a HS degree driving around with a gun and a 4-year-old in his car. This union employee is shot and killed by a Hispanic officer. The MN governor joins the fray along with the Black Lives Matter folks, leading to five dead police officers in the Dallas metroplex. And anyone that suggests there's a problem is somehow a pessimist. Good riddance to you phony optimists. Pat yourself on the back, Dave.
3
Right. Unions are the problem. This logic is twisted enough to pass muster for the Trump campaign. Congratulations.
11
Too bad the Lochte fiasco hangs over this analogy. A drunk, arrogant athlete fabricates a bitter revenge tale to obscure having to pay for his atrocious vandalizing behavior. He was, apparently, confident that he could get away with it.
This resembles the sensibility of the Trump campaign- hiring new experts in the Big Lie, dirty tricks and smears - with a special genius at attacking those who (rightly) criticize you...and trusting they can get away with it !
America at it's worst.
This resembles the sensibility of the Trump campaign- hiring new experts in the Big Lie, dirty tricks and smears - with a special genius at attacking those who (rightly) criticize you...and trusting they can get away with it !
America at it's worst.
22
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
Yes, Mr Brooks.
Perhaps you should convince the presidential candidate of your party, AND those voting for him, of your conclusion.
Yes, Mr Brooks.
Perhaps you should convince the presidential candidate of your party, AND those voting for him, of your conclusion.
6
America needs to stop having right and left wing political parties and instead form an optimist's party against the pessimists in the country because of course America is doing great and would do even better if it could only get rid of the pessimists.
To join the optimist's party you would either already have to feel pretty good about yourself and life by say through genes plus some wealth thrown in or get optimistic in a not too harmful manner, which is to say maybe some light drug and alcohol use but not too much and do a little gambling maybe but not too much or get some exercise or eat and purchase stuff--maybe get a little religion. But certainly you are out of the party if pessimistic in any way.
Because America is doing great and does not need pessimists. Never mind if America really were doing great it should be able to bear any number of pessimists. Never mind the concept that the greater the nation the more down it can afford its citizens to be because it will stand no matter how pessimistic people are...We would not want to burden the optimists among us with an actual thought. It might be too painful.
No, Americans must be optimistic because America is great and this means shunning the pessimists because the pessimists will bring America down. Yes, great America must fight against being pessimistic or all is lost! So join the optimist party against the pessimists among us and against anybody really who is pessimistic about America. If we feel great we are great!
To join the optimist's party you would either already have to feel pretty good about yourself and life by say through genes plus some wealth thrown in or get optimistic in a not too harmful manner, which is to say maybe some light drug and alcohol use but not too much and do a little gambling maybe but not too much or get some exercise or eat and purchase stuff--maybe get a little religion. But certainly you are out of the party if pessimistic in any way.
Because America is doing great and does not need pessimists. Never mind if America really were doing great it should be able to bear any number of pessimists. Never mind the concept that the greater the nation the more down it can afford its citizens to be because it will stand no matter how pessimistic people are...We would not want to burden the optimists among us with an actual thought. It might be too painful.
No, Americans must be optimistic because America is great and this means shunning the pessimists because the pessimists will bring America down. Yes, great America must fight against being pessimistic or all is lost! So join the optimist party against the pessimists among us and against anybody really who is pessimistic about America. If we feel great we are great!
The Trans-Pacific Partnership was the central dominating boogeyman at the Democratic National Convention, especially among people who have no clue what’s in it.
David What is in it is good for foreign workers and multi-national corporations. There is very little in it that will lead to jobs or a better life for the average person in this country. So why should we support it.
It will allow foreign corporations to propose projects that violate our environmental laws and then sue us before an unelected arbitrator because of "lost income" when the projects are denied.
It will allow giant pharma to suppress low cost generics and charge high prices in regions where the populace can not afford them.
If we who do not support the TPP do not know what is in it, you who do support it also do not know as the entire process was kept secret and stacked towards corporate interests.
David What is in it is good for foreign workers and multi-national corporations. There is very little in it that will lead to jobs or a better life for the average person in this country. So why should we support it.
It will allow foreign corporations to propose projects that violate our environmental laws and then sue us before an unelected arbitrator because of "lost income" when the projects are denied.
It will allow giant pharma to suppress low cost generics and charge high prices in regions where the populace can not afford them.
If we who do not support the TPP do not know what is in it, you who do support it also do not know as the entire process was kept secret and stacked towards corporate interests.
9
Culture and attitude cannot be as easily measured as trade surplus, Olympic medals, and top-notch universities-- as the author points out in the 2nd paragraph (Americans' unenlightened opinions on democracy and world affairs). Maybe we can be measured by our athletes to an extent: Ryan Lochte, the handsome, incredibly successful 12-time Olympic medalist-- drunk and belligerent in Rio wreaking havoc, then lying about it and blaming Rio, to protect himself. He is the epitome of a certain type of American who, as a "winner" feels entitled to do and say as he pleases, a Trump-era narcissist who refuses to take responsibility, even in his feeble apology after he was caught in a lie. Then there are his companions who, after also misbehaving, told the truth and revealed the lie of their more famous friend. A metaphor for America-- let's hope that the majority of us will own up to our flaws, rather than just trumpeting how great we are as we count our medals.
8
Those who find it necessary to call ourselves or hear ourselves called the greatest country Everrrrr, complimenting our institutions, patting ourselves on the back on how wonderful we are, shining city on a hill, manifest destiny, exceptional, blah blah blah, are narcissistic insecure ignorant children. Similarly, to see only bad is similarly ignorant, devoid of understanding and critical thinking. Neither approach allows anything actionable because the ignorance, insecurity and narcissism all gets in the way of seeing the country for the mix of things it is and has been, and when you can't see what is really there, you can't say "this works, that doesn't, let's address what doesn't work".
10
Is that you, President Obama?
2
Almost stopped reading in the first paragraph when you cited the "humiliation of Iraq" we're suffering from. It's not our "humiliation," it's the catastrophic stupid action of an unelected president and his cabal that knocked over the house of cards that was the Middle East status quo. Your party went on with the lying and fear mongering throughout the succeeding Obama years, abetted by Fox News, and ultimately served up Donald Trump. We're not all in this together. The party you made excuses for these many years own this mess.
35
It's convenient to know who to blame for everything. That must make life simplified for you.
3
America,s greatness is not an amalgamation of great people doing great things or building great structures, or inventing new machines and spaceships, or excelling in sports and other many human endeavors.. America,s greatness is a function of its humility, generosity, hospitality, openness, magnanimity, bountifulness, and the abundance great minds and high spirits. Being petty, tight, miserly and afraid are not american traits. I am sure some are stingy, and some are afraid, and some are bigoted, and some are hateful, but all in all they a few. Trump,s America is not real America. trump,s America is a country of the Third World: fearful, envious, closed, lives in a small box, and suffocates from its own stench.
16
Another paean to American exceptionalism. Of course your athletes are *wonderfully well-trained and performing well. You are the richest country in the world and have the assets to support them. This is not sour grapes, merely fact. America has also produced Donald Trump and thousands who support him and his racist, misogynistic, xenophobic appeals to make America great again and take it back to the '50s. There is poverty and hunger in the US. There are issues with public school education and health care. There are large groups untrained for the 21st century economy who resent the progress of others and support Trump. I am sure the list could go on. So, please take off those rose-coloured glasses. The US is lucky to be wealthy and have the resources to fix many of its issues. It has to find the will to do so. Americans are lucky people. They are not living the lives of Syrians in Aleppo in civil war and their children are not child soldiers or child labourers, but they are not a superior people to the other people in the world. Just luckier.
(Before the responses flow from US patriots, I do not think my own country is perfect either. I do think I am lucky to live here.)
(Before the responses flow from US patriots, I do not think my own country is perfect either. I do think I am lucky to live here.)
10
Judy
You are correct on all counts...as a 26-year USAF veteran, I consider myself just lucky to be born in America.
You are correct on all counts...as a 26-year USAF veteran, I consider myself just lucky to be born in America.
1
I've been arguing for some time now that our great advantage is our ability--forged in hard experience--to deal with difference. (I see this as a strength being developed in the U.K. since WWII as well, until the retrograde step of Brexit.) Every time it seems like a new player is wiping us out, often lecturing us on our messiness, the rigidity of that lecturing competitor catches up with it and we just keep going. It's the friction among our oh-so-various selves that creates our deepeningly great culture. Friction doesn't always feel good. But trust it; we need it.
Yes, I saw David's compulsive swipe at the Dems about TPP while he skimmed right by the true champions of "Amerexit" in his own party.
Yes, I saw David's compulsive swipe at the Dems about TPP while he skimmed right by the true champions of "Amerexit" in his own party.
2
Knowing Brooks' animosity towards the Drumpf candidacy, I kept waiting for him to use the direction of his column, today, to attack the Republican candidate's mantra, "Make America Great Again." Perhaps Mr. Brooks simply decided to let his words imply his underlying sentiment. But his column reveals that America is and has been great for eons; it's only uneducated white boys who suffer and who need to feel great again because it's no longer enough for them to feel superior to minorities when our culture is trying to even the playing field. And while they could feel superior to Muslims their fuhrer wants to ban their entry. And that's kind of a shame as those white boys could be superior over their ethnicity and their religion. As Drumpf's poll numbers sink and his campaign struggles for direction--a new manager who is southern redneck is going to jibe with the New York wasp?
5
As the cold war mentality taught us, which is the mentality of the patriotism police and supporters of Trump, the quality of our athletes is the measure of our country. Just kidding - it's the other way around, that our country is sanctifyingly written-in-stone the best, always, forever, world without end, Amen, and the athletes need to also be the best or they have failed us, unless it is one of the many sports we don't care about because we're not good at it, or we're not good at it because we don't care about it.
1
All I can say when it comes to the current State of the Union putting aside any and all Reaganesque magical thinking and delusions is that we are most definitely a mess . But we're still the best mess there is worldwide when it comes right down to it . But as GK Chesterton stated that should not prevent us from criticizing that which deserves criticism especially the wave of NeoLiberalism that has overwhelmed both sides of the aisle as well as the rampant focus on " Cult of Personality " and the growing ignorance and stupidity despite public education overcoming much of populist America . Realizing that all Empires .. and like it or not we are by choice or circumstance we are an Empire are susceptible to collapse .
31
Actually, ALL empires fall. Throughout history great empires rise and fall. Consider the ancient Chinese, Romans, Turks, Moors, Mongolians, Spanish, Dutch, English, French, Aztecs, Mayans, Egyptians and so on. So the American "empire" will fall. But empires have always been defined by size and military strength. So we have a some time to go yet. But when it happens, we can decide what we become. We can still be a leader in the world. We'll just have to do it by leadership and doing things in such a way, others will wish to emulate it.
Top Brands are American: Forbes Methodology
Methodology:
"We required brands to have more than a token presence in the U.S., which eliminated some big brands like multinational telecom firm Vodafone and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba"
Methodology:
"We required brands to have more than a token presence in the U.S., which eliminated some big brands like multinational telecom firm Vodafone and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba"
It looks like we are always winning because NBC only shows events where Americans win. Everyone should have the pleasure of watching the Olympics from a different country -- it is refreshing and vastly more fun to watch. And it gives you a little perspective.
4
No doubt that United States is a great country. Diversity, inclusion, meritocracy, risk taking, and commitment to excellence are all pillars of American greatness. Yet, while Americans are winning in Rio, Louisiana is facing a huge flood that's left tens of thousand homeless. Pride that builds cities in flood zones, politicking the science of global warming, and hundreds of millions of dollars of tax giveaway by Bobby Jindal that savaged Louisiana budget to he could have a record to run his quixotic presidential campaign illustrate that whatever weakness United States has is largely self-inflicted by the political class. Simone Biles whose photo that graces the article embodies the promise and the anxiety of America perfectly--an African American girl born with a long list of personal and social disadvantages but with grandparents who believed in her and with an army of coaches (old white guys and ladies and immigrants) and supporters (giggly teenage girls, black churches, corporate America) became the greatest gymnast of our time. Choose hope and walk in the brighter side of life--the other option, this time led by a self-serving real estate developer from New York, is not much of an option.
3
"Of course we have to take care of those who are hurt ....... " If only you and your conservative friends really meant that phrase Mr. Brooks there would not be so much hostility towards international trade agreements.
Sadly, conservative belief in Josef Schumpeter's meme of "creative destruction" being the natural outcome economic change stands in the way of providing the kind of safety net American workers need and deserve when their government enters into multi lateral trade agreements. There is a cost to trade agreements; and sadly history shows the American middle class has to pick up the check.
Sadly, conservative belief in Josef Schumpeter's meme of "creative destruction" being the natural outcome economic change stands in the way of providing the kind of safety net American workers need and deserve when their government enters into multi lateral trade agreements. There is a cost to trade agreements; and sadly history shows the American middle class has to pick up the check.
4
Let's also remember that the smaller the gender gap, the more medals a country will win. The US has combined its glaring advantage in GDP, elite training facilities and coaches with the empowerment of women. The more we close the gender gap in the US, the more medals we will continue to win. And I believe this extends into every global measurement and statistic. The more inclusive a country is and the more it respects, appreciates, and nurtures the lives of all its citizens, the better it will perform in all aspects of life.
On another note, my main concern is our current education system. All the gold medals in Rio can't erase the fact that the US has the 29th ranked education system in the world. If we trained our students and teachers the way we do our coaches and athletes, we'd be untouchable. If we don't, it won't be long before the "valuable brands", "top universities", etc. will belong to another country.
On another note, my main concern is our current education system. All the gold medals in Rio can't erase the fact that the US has the 29th ranked education system in the world. If we trained our students and teachers the way we do our coaches and athletes, we'd be untouchable. If we don't, it won't be long before the "valuable brands", "top universities", etc. will belong to another country.
3
Murka! Number 1!
Thanks, Mr. Brooks, for the boosterism.
Here are some other statistics about America you left out:
In comparison to other developed nations, per capita, America is
#1 in gun deaths per annum
#1 in overall poverty rates
#1 in child poverty
#1 in wealth and income inequality
#1 for the number of people entirely without health insurance
#1 for the number of people woefully underinsured
#17 in overall educational performance of high schoolers
#24 for literacy
#23 for knowledge of science
#2 in ignorance of general knowledge
#11 in fourth grade math skills
#54 for expenditures on educations
#15 for college graduation rates
And so on.
Enough to make you really proud, isn't it?
#8 in number of researchers per 1,000,000
#33 for internet download speeds
Thanks, Mr. Brooks, for the boosterism.
Here are some other statistics about America you left out:
In comparison to other developed nations, per capita, America is
#1 in gun deaths per annum
#1 in overall poverty rates
#1 in child poverty
#1 in wealth and income inequality
#1 for the number of people entirely without health insurance
#1 for the number of people woefully underinsured
#17 in overall educational performance of high schoolers
#24 for literacy
#23 for knowledge of science
#2 in ignorance of general knowledge
#11 in fourth grade math skills
#54 for expenditures on educations
#15 for college graduation rates
And so on.
Enough to make you really proud, isn't it?
#8 in number of researchers per 1,000,000
#33 for internet download speeds
29
I have seen more of America and know more Americans than most Americans. It is a wonderful country filled with kind, caring wonderful people trying to do the right thing. Sadly what the world sees and knows is America's worst of the worst and yes the world has its share of Trump wannabees. There is only one name the world will remember from this olympics Ryan Lochte and this is how he will be remembered by readers of the Toronto Star.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2016/08/i-told-yo...
https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2016/08/i-told-yo...
2
Really a beautiful affirmation of what makes our American democracy alive! Mr. Brooks, you are a remarkable and vibrantly philosophical person. I don't always agree with you, as a matter of fact, most of the time I'm not enthused with your columns. But every so often you produce such an important essay that it makes up for all the other times when I'm disappointed. Thank you.
1
Americans should be optimistic in 2016 rather than pessimistic? The general call by leaders, the influential of a nation, to be optimistic rather than pessimistic?
It seems to me calls to increase optimism are in direct proportion to the outcome of a situation being uncertain; the more uncertain the situation, the closer the contest, the more we make an appeal to the emotions to tip the balance. I find it interesting that after thousands upon thousands of years of human history, a nation such as the U.S. should make a call for optimism, which is to say after all of human history here we are apparently making a difference between the optimists and pessimists among us as if this is some astoundingly important strategy to tip the balance of nation, life itself, in our favor.
We know the American government does not really approve of drugs or alcohol to make us feel better, more optimistic and less pessimistic about our situation, and does not really like gambling or other extreme activities or loud and raucous music to whip people up--it officially prefers things like religion or sports events,--noble, heart uplifting, endeavors. The government has its preferred course of optimism. Such as promoting a decent amount of "animal spirits" to keep the economy humming, people purchasing, consuming goods and working hard at their jobs.
But the essential question remains: Why if things are so good is it so essential to choose the optimists and shun the pessimists among us?
It seems to me calls to increase optimism are in direct proportion to the outcome of a situation being uncertain; the more uncertain the situation, the closer the contest, the more we make an appeal to the emotions to tip the balance. I find it interesting that after thousands upon thousands of years of human history, a nation such as the U.S. should make a call for optimism, which is to say after all of human history here we are apparently making a difference between the optimists and pessimists among us as if this is some astoundingly important strategy to tip the balance of nation, life itself, in our favor.
We know the American government does not really approve of drugs or alcohol to make us feel better, more optimistic and less pessimistic about our situation, and does not really like gambling or other extreme activities or loud and raucous music to whip people up--it officially prefers things like religion or sports events,--noble, heart uplifting, endeavors. The government has its preferred course of optimism. Such as promoting a decent amount of "animal spirits" to keep the economy humming, people purchasing, consuming goods and working hard at their jobs.
But the essential question remains: Why if things are so good is it so essential to choose the optimists and shun the pessimists among us?
In life, one can reduce stress by gratefully accepting what they have, rather than longing for an impossible dream.
The problem is that we have too many citizens who don't have enough to be accepting and grateful. We've forgotten so many of these souls.
I'm glad I live in America. I wish we would find more ways to help people who, through no fault of their own, are struggling and in pain.
The problem is that we have too many citizens who don't have enough to be accepting and grateful. We've forgotten so many of these souls.
I'm glad I live in America. I wish we would find more ways to help people who, through no fault of their own, are struggling and in pain.
3
So, vote for Hillary?
8
nah, we need something different from same old same old, but not Trump either.
2
Well. You are still in dream world, because right now it's only Clinton and Trump on the menu.
1
Bravo! I want to see more stories about all the things we are doing well. And they clearly far surpass the problems.
The same goes for the world as a whole, too. Despite the hype and misinformation. For example, world-wide infant mortality is way down, while education of women is way up.
We're in a game of chicken: vastly improving the lot of our fellow humans while facing nuclear or climate destruction. Hopefully, our political systems will evolve and improve fast enough to take advantage of our potential for an even better future.
The same goes for the world as a whole, too. Despite the hype and misinformation. For example, world-wide infant mortality is way down, while education of women is way up.
We're in a game of chicken: vastly improving the lot of our fellow humans while facing nuclear or climate destruction. Hopefully, our political systems will evolve and improve fast enough to take advantage of our potential for an even better future.
4
Strong institutions? Hmm... How about the criminal justice system, environmental protection, the federal government, the Supreme Court, the educational system, to name a few that are either under performing or being hollowed out or hamstrung for ideological reasons. It's institutions like these that create a vibrant and just society not simply a successful industrial sector that distributes its benefits less and less fairly. This sounds like David Brooks preparing to retool himself as a post-Trump Republican after having his compassionate conservative nerves rattled by the monster his party helped unleash.
14
Athletes are fairly good at basically useless stuff.
A better question is whether we are as good as our brain surgeons, our software engineers, our entrepreneurs.
I refer you to the woefully under-watched tragically-flawed but still wonderful The Newsroom:
"Can you say why America is the greatest country in the world?
It’s not the greatest country in the world. That’s my answer…
~ The Newsroom Script Episode 1 by Aaron Sorkin
A better question is whether we are as good as our brain surgeons, our software engineers, our entrepreneurs.
I refer you to the woefully under-watched tragically-flawed but still wonderful The Newsroom:
"Can you say why America is the greatest country in the world?
It’s not the greatest country in the world. That’s my answer…
~ The Newsroom Script Episode 1 by Aaron Sorkin
10
Actually, America IS "in decline," and the simple explanation is exactly what this article is based on: Rampant late-stage capitalism unchecked for so long that the majority of its people would read this article with bewilderment, because it's not the country they live in.
Such a skewed perspective. And it's dangerous. Mr. Brooks, singing America's praises from a businessman's POV isn't just tired and self-serving; it denies the experience - and suffering - of the many. The more we sing our own praises, the longer the suffering goes unaddressed. This song is called "Denial."
It's the value system behind this article that disturbs me most. If we're so "great," why are so many Americans suffering? And does it matter to those who profit from that suffering? The American Dream has never been so unreachable for so many. I'd call that "decline."
Such a skewed perspective. And it's dangerous. Mr. Brooks, singing America's praises from a businessman's POV isn't just tired and self-serving; it denies the experience - and suffering - of the many. The more we sing our own praises, the longer the suffering goes unaddressed. This song is called "Denial."
It's the value system behind this article that disturbs me most. If we're so "great," why are so many Americans suffering? And does it matter to those who profit from that suffering? The American Dream has never been so unreachable for so many. I'd call that "decline."
16
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt [. . .]"
But that is just what we have NEVER managed to do. Job re-training is a joke with little to no industry buy-in. And the idea that someone over fifty and worked one industrial job their whole life can easily be retrained for a better paying job in a different industry is pure wind. International trade along with capitalism may be a great engine for increasing wealth in aggregate, but until that wealth is directed to commonwealth you can keep your trade agreements and call me stupid.
But that is just what we have NEVER managed to do. Job re-training is a joke with little to no industry buy-in. And the idea that someone over fifty and worked one industrial job their whole life can easily be retrained for a better paying job in a different industry is pure wind. International trade along with capitalism may be a great engine for increasing wealth in aggregate, but until that wealth is directed to commonwealth you can keep your trade agreements and call me stupid.
12
I admire India and Bangladesh - they could waste many millions of dollars developing organizations that would eventually produce Olympic medals. But in their hearts, the only sport they really care about is Cricket, a non-Olympic sport, so why should they bother to fund what is is unimportant to them?
2
India is spending much more than it used to. Especially on women athletes. Both of our medals so far have been won by women, a bronze in Wrestling and silver in Badminton. And there have been 4 fourth place finishes as well. India in fact sent it's largest Olympic contingent ever, 120 of them. This is a result of increased funding by both Govt and private organisations. Yes. Cricket is huge in India like football in America. That being said, Olympic sports are starting to get traction too.
2
The global stage of the Olympics highlights something not so often observed in the "medal count". So many of the Olympic athletes from other countries have trained at US universities. Among the top 20 US schools in 2008 who trained nearly 450 Olympians, almost 60% of those athletes represented other countries.
A vastly larger number of foreign students are attracted to US universities for academic and research opportunities. And most will return to become key players in the public and private sector life of their home countries, bolstering the influence of the US flavor of intellectual freedom.
While it may be a surprise to some, the US is not defined globally by our right wing crazies but rather by the freedom to pursue ideas, religions and values that are not state sanctioned.
The danger of course is that very freedom can give rise to some pretty vile characters like Trump, bolstered by a ideologically driven media like Breitbart, as an example.
Hopefully, we are strong enough to allow such expression to explode and then fade, as it has with the rise and fall of Father Coughlin, Joe McCarthy, Barry Goldwater, George Wallace and others.
A vastly larger number of foreign students are attracted to US universities for academic and research opportunities. And most will return to become key players in the public and private sector life of their home countries, bolstering the influence of the US flavor of intellectual freedom.
While it may be a surprise to some, the US is not defined globally by our right wing crazies but rather by the freedom to pursue ideas, religions and values that are not state sanctioned.
The danger of course is that very freedom can give rise to some pretty vile characters like Trump, bolstered by a ideologically driven media like Breitbart, as an example.
Hopefully, we are strong enough to allow such expression to explode and then fade, as it has with the rise and fall of Father Coughlin, Joe McCarthy, Barry Goldwater, George Wallace and others.
4
No. There are high standards for athletic performance which of necessity are ruthlessly enforced. For politicians the bar is so low and distorted, essentially there are no performance standards, as demonstrated by the current problems we face. A great country with vast resources would do well to apply the highest standards for the leadership.
7
The Olympics provide a perfect repudiation of everything Donald Trump stands for. There is a clear demonstration that there is no need to "Make America Great Again". We already are, at least in the world of sport.
What Trump really means is "Make America White Again". Of course that would be disastrous for America at the Olympics. Take away America's great black athletes, and the USA's performance at the Olympics would be mediocre at best. Can you imagine our chances of winning gold medals in basketball or gymnastics without our black athletes?
Our Olympic team is a portrait of America - a diverse, dedicated, talented, and eternally optimistic lot. In other words, winners, which is in sharp contrast to pathetic losers like Trump who keep telling us how terrible America is.
What Trump really means is "Make America White Again". Of course that would be disastrous for America at the Olympics. Take away America's great black athletes, and the USA's performance at the Olympics would be mediocre at best. Can you imagine our chances of winning gold medals in basketball or gymnastics without our black athletes?
Our Olympic team is a portrait of America - a diverse, dedicated, talented, and eternally optimistic lot. In other words, winners, which is in sharp contrast to pathetic losers like Trump who keep telling us how terrible America is.
2
"talent must be distributed equally"
How does any editor, let alone one at the Times, let an idiotic line like that through?
How does any editor, let alone one at the Times, let an idiotic line like that through?
1
When, if ever, does Brooks stop whining about the misery he was instrumental as a card carrying Republican in ingraining to the country over the last three decades. He's like an adult child whining about a bad acid trip he made happen. Yes, you David. And you cannot undo it no matter how many sadness posts you do.
2
Mr. Brooks, thanks for a great article. You are right, our country has much more going right than it does going wrong. However, we still have big problems and injustices to solve and overcome, but hasn't that been true our entire history. I think our biggest challenge right now is to make the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution a reality. We need to work on what I call the "E Pluribus Unum" problem. All of our citizens deserve personal security, housing, food, quality education, healthcare and economic opportunities. In this endeavor both conservative and liberal ideas and debate will be important and despite what many now claim government can be a force for good as it is our most important institution. Thank you, Mr. Brooks, for being part of the national dialogue.
I want to specifically comment on free-trade. I agree with Mr. Brooks that free trade is beneficial to US and other countries. The problem I see the rich and very well off reap these benefits. The loser are lower middle class and particularly those who have lost their jobs to free trade. The solution is not go back to era of protectionism and trade ware but to have fair taxation system and investment in education and financial support of those who adversely affected by free trade. Unfortunately the Republicans and Trump have not shown any interest to increase taxes on 1% of us.
I wish we were the greatest country in the world, we should be, we have everything we need. But the Ryan Lochte stupidity shows us whats actually really wrong. Win at all cost, then when you do, be a bully, you know the kid you hated in high school. Feel entitled take and so much more than you deserve, then feel superior. It what Bernie was talking about.
1
Let's not be so serious! The pompous and corrupt Olympics survives and prospers only because it sells itself as the simulation of war between nations. Otherwise, it would look like the United Nations, downed and stepped on.
Although , I agree with the zeitgeist of your column , I would like to point out one factual inconsistency
Unlike , the economies of Brazil and China , Indian economy has been developing at a phenomenal rate recently , the last year at 7.6% India was the fastest developing large economy . This number isn't an outlier either , we have more or less grown at around this pace in the past decade .
Unlike , the economies of Brazil and China , Indian economy has been developing at a phenomenal rate recently , the last year at 7.6% India was the fastest developing large economy . This number isn't an outlier either , we have more or less grown at around this pace in the past decade .
1
I love to read the Comments section of the NYTimes, filled with scathing sarcasm and biting criticism of so many attributes of America. The Ha-Ha-Hilarious Socrates and the grimly dark gemli, full of their own Left-leaning bigotry and supercilious appraisals of "White Privilege". As the intelligentsia of the Left proclaims all knowledge, I look simply to the Black family, sliding perilously backward post-Civil Rights (in spite of 8 years under our first Black POTUS), the increasing percentage of permanently-unemployed, and the claims by the eminent Senator Sanders that all we need to do is extract more taxes from the tiny fraction of people who pay all the taxes anyway.
If anyone really believed that, he would have won in a landslide. After all, "we" have the wealthiest vastly outnumbered.
Like Alec Baldwin, I have to wonder, what exactly keeps you here when Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have so much to offer? Are they not accepting immigrants?
If anyone really believed that, he would have won in a landslide. After all, "we" have the wealthiest vastly outnumbered.
Like Alec Baldwin, I have to wonder, what exactly keeps you here when Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have so much to offer? Are they not accepting immigrants?
2
Mr. Brooks’ optimism is justified, and necessary, but there is still real cause for concern, even if we are often wrong about what it is. Our athletes can excel and our businesses can compete but we are failing in our real purpose as a nation which should be to be a just, equitable society based on the rule of law and government by the people, not a highly efficient economic model.
One reason for this failure of principle is that we bought into the self-serving mythology of corporations and the rich that conflates their economic success with the well-being of the country. We succumb to the lure of cheap stuff, then realize that our towns have been gutted, our jobs have been sent overseas and politicians are still saying we need to give the rich more tax breaks because only they can make America great.
The global economy is a reality, no amount of retrogressive wishful thinking will change that, but we can only address the collateral damage created by the shift if we address the damage that has been done to our government. Conservative and libertarian forces have characterized their efforts to undermine it as a matter of principle when it is just greed and the belief that their money makes them better than the rest of us so they deserve to enjoy the benefits of living in a free society without paying their share of the costs.
You only have to look at the unsavory cast of fat cats who support the Republican nominee to know this can’t possibly be true.
One reason for this failure of principle is that we bought into the self-serving mythology of corporations and the rich that conflates their economic success with the well-being of the country. We succumb to the lure of cheap stuff, then realize that our towns have been gutted, our jobs have been sent overseas and politicians are still saying we need to give the rich more tax breaks because only they can make America great.
The global economy is a reality, no amount of retrogressive wishful thinking will change that, but we can only address the collateral damage created by the shift if we address the damage that has been done to our government. Conservative and libertarian forces have characterized their efforts to undermine it as a matter of principle when it is just greed and the belief that their money makes them better than the rest of us so they deserve to enjoy the benefits of living in a free society without paying their share of the costs.
You only have to look at the unsavory cast of fat cats who support the Republican nominee to know this can’t possibly be true.
2
Stupid and fearful choices people make from unrealistic fears. Yes, some of those anxieties are economic, but much is generated by a loss of white control and power. Are the darker peoples of the world at long last retaliating for past oppressive abuses from westernized societies? I suppose if I lacked melanin in my complexion I might shudder, as well.
1
The real story is not just about winning and medal counts. Coming into the games, Rios did not get great marketing attention with the Zika virus, the Russian debacle, Olympians pulling out (LeBron), political discordant headlines about Brazil. There are 400k empty seats left. Like many of the World Cup games that were held in developing countries, the zealot passion of the people, particularly the native Brazilians, is as sparkle as any fine champagne. There was a universal sense of shared happiness, a commonality where it's not about the rich nor the poor. Seeing the German twin sisters Anna and Lisa Hahner holding hands crossing the finish line, not even close to winning (81st and 82nd places), smiling, and Usain Bolt teasing Canadian challenger Andre De Grasse as he lead the pack is something we could import more here to the US. That is, winning is important, yes, but so is happiness. Winning does not mean others must loose. The twin sisters won a sense of unity for Germany and all the sisterhood out there. Andre De Grasse ran faster than he normally would in chasing Bolt. In sports, unlike wars, you also get to be friends when it is all over, and that smile Bolt gave was not one of smirk but companionship and even camaraderie. There are many great US Olympians on this year's team, but many have came here before (Phelps). What they held onto this time is not just medal counts, but memories, and memories make history (the Berlin Games).
2
"talent must be distributed equally"
This is why our pundits are completely useless.
They know things that just aren't so, and then proceed to build their castles of speculation in the hot air they emit.
This is why our pundits are completely useless.
They know things that just aren't so, and then proceed to build their castles of speculation in the hot air they emit.
2
Wait a minute! What about those lying swimmers? There is always a small minority of jerks who turn things in a negative direction. The same is true of our general population.
1
During the opening ceremonies and looking @ the beautiful faces of all the athletes around the world I thought what a terrible feeling it must be to be a part of the angry disenfranchised people that fuel the violence and discord that we witness everyday in this country. No need to name names but they are weak to the human condition and the power of the spirit. Long live the Olympics!
3
Not everyone can play football or gymnastics. They are expensive and you have to have the right body type. But everyone can swim and run! I would like to see our Olympic athletes join together to get our kids playing again.
1
Our kids do play-videogames
They communicate-in an illiterate manner by text
They get a good dose of sports-on television, or in organized, parent-run sports leagues
And our athletes are joined together,to make sure they get properly reimbursed for their endorsements or to make sure they get good professional contracts after they finish their free "education" in what passes for an institution of higher learning
They communicate-in an illiterate manner by text
They get a good dose of sports-on television, or in organized, parent-run sports leagues
And our athletes are joined together,to make sure they get properly reimbursed for their endorsements or to make sure they get good professional contracts after they finish their free "education" in what passes for an institution of higher learning
I'm an optimistic person by nature but this political season has certainly made me feel less so. I'll get over it, I'm sure, as long as I don't allow a certain reality tv star turned candidate -- the one spewing hatred, mongering fear and vomiting lies -- to drag me down. If one only listened to what Mr. Trump had to say we would all be jumping into a warm bath with razor blades in hand. "Make America Great Again." What does that even mean? I'm not sure I see the Olympics as an example of American excellence but how thrilling it is to see two young African American gymnasts and swimmers, Latinas and Latinos, people from disadvantaged backgrounds who have soared to unprecedented heights all showing their stuff on the world stage -- this is the palate of American greatness.
4
Talent is not distributed equally. For example, most of the top marathoners come from Ethiopia and Kenya, and a disproportionate fraction of them from one small tribe.
The same is likely true of other talents. To assume the contrary is an act of faith, not supported by evidence.
The same is likely true of other talents. To assume the contrary is an act of faith, not supported by evidence.
3
As the Trump campaign has unfolded, in all its nihilistic, pessimistic glory, David Brooks has slowly moved away from his party, that no longer exists. He is realizing that to be a Democrat means to look for the good in others, to use government effectively to broaden our rights, not shrink them, to improve the playing field on all levels of life. Including health care, education, housing, jobs, to enact sensible laws on guns, which are often in the hands of unstable people, for starters. Maybe, by November, he will be brave enough to say, as so many other Republicans already have, that he is voting for Hillary Clinton.
8
I was wondering the same thing...I find myself agreeing with Mr. Brooks more and more frequently. And I don't think I'm in any danger of voting Republican any time soon. Welcome away from the Dark Side, David!
"The big question is: Is the greatness of America’s sports institutions reflective of the country’s strong institutions generally, or is it more like the Soviet Union’s sports greatness, a Potemkin show masking national rot?"
As my favorite Constitutional scholar, Alexander Bickel, liked to say, "No answer is what the wrong question begets."
Mr. Brooks is indeed asking the wrong question. Athletes (once they appear in public) are entertainers. Not teachers, inventors, capitalists, doctors, engineers, farmers, lawyers, plumbers or electricians. Civilization is not advanced by trials of speed or strength. (Hitler didn't quite grasp this in 1936.) Try music, art, poetry, philosophy. Try measuring institutions which propel progress, not those which merely entertain the masses.
Brooks might as well ask whether the number of US films winning awards at the Cannes Film Festival is reflective of our country's achievements. There is no connection whatsoever. Measuring the ability of our high school graduates to read, write and think abstractly would be a far more meaningful thing to study. Think we're winning many gold medals there?
As my favorite Constitutional scholar, Alexander Bickel, liked to say, "No answer is what the wrong question begets."
Mr. Brooks is indeed asking the wrong question. Athletes (once they appear in public) are entertainers. Not teachers, inventors, capitalists, doctors, engineers, farmers, lawyers, plumbers or electricians. Civilization is not advanced by trials of speed or strength. (Hitler didn't quite grasp this in 1936.) Try music, art, poetry, philosophy. Try measuring institutions which propel progress, not those which merely entertain the masses.
Brooks might as well ask whether the number of US films winning awards at the Cannes Film Festival is reflective of our country's achievements. There is no connection whatsoever. Measuring the ability of our high school graduates to read, write and think abstractly would be a far more meaningful thing to study. Think we're winning many gold medals there?
10
But even that (ability of high school graduates on average, presumably) isn't a reliable indicator since the country is very uneven. People can excel at many things, things they are passionate about and are good at. I love science (and am a scientist) but I could've be getting paid doing a number of other things I do as hobbies and I can't see that happening anywhere else except here (and perhaps Canada, and Australia to a lesser degree). But at the same time, my 17 year old daughter wants to be an artist and even my wife who is a chef and businesswoman (owned her own restaurant) sometimes feels she's making the wrong choice whereas I support both their choices. It takes all kinds, etc. The problem is that the world doesn't see it like that and goes along with the US in thinking that making money is what matters in life (with some respect given to things like curing cancer, etc.). But curing cancer is just as important (or not) as cleaning the toilet IMO.
2
Watch yt videos of USA soldiers marching in Paris after liberation and you will see that yes, this is a great country. And even when this county will cesase at some point in the future, it's ideas will survive.
I love this country more than anything.
I love this country more than anything.
1
So were there no other countries involved in winning the war?
2
I don't understand the need to count the number of medals won by the US team to justify our national obsession with being "winners." Aren't the Olympic games more about coming together as a global community than counting how many medals each country wins? I'm disappointed, David, to see that you have jumped on the nationalistic assessment of the Olympics as an opportunity to prove that our country is the supreme winner. If there are any winners here it is the athletes from povery-striken wartorn countries who struggled to make it to the Olympics at all.
6
Things can be simple if you want them to. Anyone want to move somewhere else? Go for it. Start in Syria. I really really like this country in spite of all its challenges and political conflicts.
Some young athletes, especially very lauded ones, get a sense of entitlement and do stupid stuff. It can get nasty, such as sexual assault. Someone using the side of a gas station as their personal bathroom is not real high on my concern list. All the rest since then is just a lot of noise.
I've done some dumb stuff here and there. For those of you who haven't, or at least can't remember, give yourselves a pat on the back and make sure you're not fudging on anything else in your life.
Some young athletes, especially very lauded ones, get a sense of entitlement and do stupid stuff. It can get nasty, such as sexual assault. Someone using the side of a gas station as their personal bathroom is not real high on my concern list. All the rest since then is just a lot of noise.
I've done some dumb stuff here and there. For those of you who haven't, or at least can't remember, give yourselves a pat on the back and make sure you're not fudging on anything else in your life.
As a professional shill for Bush Republicanism, Brooks of course cannot admit the damage done to this country by the Bush presidency, nor can he admit that for the past seven years Obama has been struggling to clean up the mess Brooks' hero left us. It is exactly this habit of denial that led him to predict time and time again that Trump would never win the GOP nomination. If you refuse to admit that there is anything wrong, how can you believe that the candidate of those who know there is will beat all the others? But that is what happened, and that is why it happened. The people and the policies Brooks supported trashed this country and the GOP. He would have far more credibility if he simply admitted what the rest of us know and stopped lying about it.
7
As an educator, I second Brooks' claim that America has some of the world's best institutions of higher education.
3
Why do we think that per-capita the European nations do much better? I suggest that in order for our institutions to be fully supporting our citizens well-being in a more thorough and fair way, more money (and not just money but strong leadership to go with) is needed to shore up our institutions--particularly in education. But America does not want to pay for this. Wealthy Americans (most) are happy with their financial success and don't feel they owe that to the country that supports their standard of living. The idea that money trickles down from the top--be it corporate or individual--has been disproven repeatedly--yet it is being pushed out there again as we speak by, of course--the Republicans. The word "fair" as it was used by Apple CEO Tim Cook last week made me a little sick. What's the answer in a society where the millionaire presidential candidate for the party in charge of congress gives almost nothing to charity and has personally received far more benefit from American taxpayers than he has paid back. He has probably paid his consultants and lawyers more to avoid the taxes than he has paid to the IRS. He wants only more. While he may be at the extreme of exploiting American systems for his personal gain, his thought process is not by any means the antithesis of the strategy for avoiding supporting financially the country big money loves so much.
3
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt."
Then why do you advocate for policies which would reduce or prevent aid to those who are hurt?
Then why do you advocate for policies which would reduce or prevent aid to those who are hurt?
8
This column like others of Mr Brooks glossy prose, with one pen dipped in gold and another in silver, is transparent to many if not most of our citizenry. We as a people, not a nation of smiling triumphant shining bodies, are not by any means at the same level of prosperity we were several decades ago and no amount of honey worded newsprint lauding contrived heroics changes that.
The last thing we need is a cheerleader who uses his platform to convince us we are well off by virtue of the manufactured pride of Olympic triumph. If the actual domestic problems we are faced with will ever be solved it is well to understand that while hard work and determination, often in the face of great obstacles, pays off, it is more important to consider how and why we so many of us are worse off today than yesterday.
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
This remark is a saccharin observation that can be used to fill many pages and is a base that too often is the extent of a promised masterpiece that no politician has ever written
There is a lot of work that needs to be done so get off the soapbox, drop the pom-poms and grab a shovel if you really want to help clean up the stable.
The last thing we need is a cheerleader who uses his platform to convince us we are well off by virtue of the manufactured pride of Olympic triumph. If the actual domestic problems we are faced with will ever be solved it is well to understand that while hard work and determination, often in the face of great obstacles, pays off, it is more important to consider how and why we so many of us are worse off today than yesterday.
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
This remark is a saccharin observation that can be used to fill many pages and is a base that too often is the extent of a promised masterpiece that no politician has ever written
There is a lot of work that needs to be done so get off the soapbox, drop the pom-poms and grab a shovel if you really want to help clean up the stable.
7
Bravo!
2
Better late than never Mr. Brooks. Every time I hear stories of how angry the "people" are I ask, "About what exactly?" Yes there are segments of our country that are struggling, that need and warrant our collective assistance but goodness gracious sakes alive people, the country is doing pretty great. Moreover our problems and struggles are almost entirely self inflicted so they can be readily addressed by us. Better yet our history demonstrates that when we actually address our problems, we solve them. So thank you Mr Brooks, it's high time we started to graciously accept both our incredible bounty and our challenges instead of aping a baoffonish carney barker who tells us were all a bunch of losers because immigrants pick our vegetables and terrorists kill less of us than lightening strikes.
8
Man, David, you're sounding more and more like a Democrat. And that's a good thing.
5
Let this not get to our head. Yes we do have a very culturally diverse group of winners at the Olympics but we do have problem swimmers like Lochte and company. Unfortunately one bad apple gets all the attention in this media driven age. Biles, Phelps and all the other great athletes don't deserve this. Finally yes, even with one bad apple, we are still a great country and will win the most number of medals and most of our athletes will share in the true spirit of world participation.
1
What in the world is this fool talking about? The examples of "greatness" he cites are at best dubious, and not subject to the test of relevance, because he has no object by which to judge. To say American economic "success" is "large", is the same as saying Big Macs are the best burger because they sell the most. Big Macs sell more because they have the wherewithal/outlets to sell more, it says nothing of how "good" the burger is.
How in the world can you evaluate the "track" a country is "on"by examining how well it does on the track?
How in the world can you evaluate the "track" a country is "on"by examining how well it does on the track?
7
California is booming, completely controlled by Democrats without Republican policies and obstructionism.
13
It seems where America remains at the top is what Angela Duckworth has championed in her research and latest book: "Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance." Optimism, what we can do; is always to be preferred to pessimism, what we can't do. And it's nice to read at least one columnist who also believes that.
4
American success is real. But what people feel is that our economic dominance is decreasing. People feel rich relative to their neighbors, and we are becoming less rich relative to the rest of the world. This is ultimately good, and essentially inevitable. But it doesn't feel good to people who were barely making ends meet in the latter part of the 20th century and are now seeing many other countries climb toward us.
What to do about it? I think a first step is to debunk the myth of progress which says that exponential growth of every person's wealth is the baseline from which success should be measured. If it were replaced by a more rational model that assumed slow reversion to the mean and included the fact that that rapid economic growth of the US in the 20th century is not normal historically, then we would be ready to start being optimistic about American accomplishments. But it is much easier to celebrate American dominance or promise to "make america great again" than it is to teach people global economic history.
What to do about it? I think a first step is to debunk the myth of progress which says that exponential growth of every person's wealth is the baseline from which success should be measured. If it were replaced by a more rational model that assumed slow reversion to the mean and included the fact that that rapid economic growth of the US in the 20th century is not normal historically, then we would be ready to start being optimistic about American accomplishments. But it is much easier to celebrate American dominance or promise to "make america great again" than it is to teach people global economic history.
5
Even though I've voted Democratic for the 49 years I've been an eligible US voter, I almost always find myself agreeing with what you write, including this column. Thank you again for stating it so clearly and convincingly. Not sure where all this pessimism is coming from. Can an entire country be egocentric?
8
Not sure where all the pessimism is coming from? How about Fox "News," the right-wing talking heads and congressional Republicans who all claim, with a straight face no less, that we are on the wrong track. Apparently they all would prefer putting us back on the track were were on in 2008.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Thanks, but no thanks.
The success of some super talented American athletes at the Rio Olympics is grand and good and certainly thrilling to see but who was ever disheartened by a lack of American athletic talent? ALL our Olympic athletes are simply incredibly talented, determined, and mind bogglingly accomplished in their sports.
7
What ever we democrat do , Republicans are not going to comprehend.
Nihilistic opposition has no bottom.
Republicans are s angry, they are baling obama, however they would like to blame Bush.
Nihilistic opposition has no bottom.
Republicans are s angry, they are baling obama, however they would like to blame Bush.
1
How in the world can this be a measure of the country's fundamentals? Olympic athletes are the best of the best of the best. I'll grant David's point that they must be honed and developed by institutions. But, that's like saying "America is doing great b/c the top 1% of Harvard Law's graduating class is doing fine!" How would that be a measure of anything other than the fact that our elites do very well?
And, let's not ignore the incredible work and sacrifice involved. Olympic athletes, and indeed the Harvard Law graduates, are faced with tough choices, trading off their career opportunities and family.
And, let's not ignore the incredible work and sacrifice involved. Olympic athletes, and indeed the Harvard Law graduates, are faced with tough choices, trading off their career opportunities and family.
1
International trade in itself is not a bad thing, nor is it something that will go away any time soon. The problem is that pacts like the TPP are largely designed by lobbyists for huge corporations whose interests do not align with workers (here or abroad), consumers, or the people who have to breathe the air and drink the water fouled by the corporation's activities. So while American companies do benefit from trade, American people do not always participate in those benefits. That's why the TPP is a bogeyman and why a demagogue like Trump is anle to exploit some Americans' anger at what they see as a rigged system.
Mr. Brooks, you failed to draw a very obvious conclusion that America is already great in Olympic competition, and at the same time is a stunning model of racial and ethnic diversity. Just as Jesse Owens taught Hitler a thing or two about the relative merits of his Aryan Supermen, our black and immigrant athletes have thoroughly debunked the modern white "supremacy" of the Party of Trump.
5
Fine article. Interesting to note that the more socialist countries mentioned have earned more medals per capita than the U.S.
4
Our democracy isn't simply failing. We're failing the idea of democracy by allowing it to become an oligarchy. This has been stated over and over again by thousands of commenters on this site. Campaign financing laws must be overturned.
2
Our system of government is not democracy it is capitalism run amock after 40 years of supply side/trickle down/vulture capitalism that republican party and pundits like yourself created.
3
Is this a new thing, the Obama Republican?
4
Here's one thing about sport and PARTICULARLY the highest level of sport... it's harsh. In the Olympics we're generally looking at the best of the best, but that metaphor breaks down in everyday life. By definition, not everyone can be in the elite category of their profession. That doesn't mean people should stop trying or that I'm writing a pass for those without the will/intelligence to survive. I'm just pointing out that we rarely here about all the people who ran the marathon fast, but did not finish in first, second or third. With that in mind, there is a bit of a parallel to our country.
The upside potential in the U.S. for those gifted with natural talents or privileged with the resources to maximize their potential is almost unbelievable. It just can't be overstated how far someone can go in our country. That said, we need to pay a little more attention to those less fortunate. I don't necessarily mean people in abject poverty. I also mean people who are just "getting by." We should take a closer look at what's happening to the middle of the pack. To continue the author's imagery, I ask: "What happens to the non-Super Star Olympic athletes when it's all over?" They work hard, their very talented... they're just not the MOST talented in the world. What happens to the kid who doesn't invent Facebook, you know? I'm not saying we should all be billionaires, but hard work should be yielding better results than it is right now.
The upside potential in the U.S. for those gifted with natural talents or privileged with the resources to maximize their potential is almost unbelievable. It just can't be overstated how far someone can go in our country. That said, we need to pay a little more attention to those less fortunate. I don't necessarily mean people in abject poverty. I also mean people who are just "getting by." We should take a closer look at what's happening to the middle of the pack. To continue the author's imagery, I ask: "What happens to the non-Super Star Olympic athletes when it's all over?" They work hard, their very talented... they're just not the MOST talented in the world. What happens to the kid who doesn't invent Facebook, you know? I'm not saying we should all be billionaires, but hard work should be yielding better results than it is right now.
1
Brooks' piece reminds me of an old skit on Saturday Night Live, so perfectly performed by Al Franken: 'The Daily Affirmation Of Stuart Smiley' where the comedian sits in front of a tall mirror and looking at his image incessantly, he rattles life's few problems, but always closing it with 'I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it, everybody likes me'.
Why the NYT prints such spurious hurray-optimistic pieces of drivel is beyond me.
Be happy with your Olympic haul, recognise your faults and move on.
There will be another one in 4 years.
Why the NYT prints such spurious hurray-optimistic pieces of drivel is beyond me.
Be happy with your Olympic haul, recognise your faults and move on.
There will be another one in 4 years.
3
Child poverty, education compared to the rest of the developed world, flooded with guns, gerrymandered, dysfunctional "election" coming up, no modern rail system, trillions in debt, hated by most in many regions around the world. Yay?
5
I think this year's US Olympic team represented the current state of the country quite well.
We have redemptions stories like Phelps, we have stories of dedication and grit like Ledecky and Biles. And, then we have prime examples of America's character flaws like Lochte (I'm sure he was just being sarcastic).
But, I think Hope Solo was emblematic of what I hear a lot today "the other team won because they didn't play like the US". The US lost because it was out smarted by an opponent who was coached by an ex-US coach. This is exactly what has happened in many parts of US industry. We've taught the world our tricks, we've exported a lot of our knowledge, but we haven't changed our game. Instead of playing smarter or changing how we play the game, we have leaders crying that if everyone would go back 50 years everything would be okay, well that boat has sailed.
We have redemptions stories like Phelps, we have stories of dedication and grit like Ledecky and Biles. And, then we have prime examples of America's character flaws like Lochte (I'm sure he was just being sarcastic).
But, I think Hope Solo was emblematic of what I hear a lot today "the other team won because they didn't play like the US". The US lost because it was out smarted by an opponent who was coached by an ex-US coach. This is exactly what has happened in many parts of US industry. We've taught the world our tricks, we've exported a lot of our knowledge, but we haven't changed our game. Instead of playing smarter or changing how we play the game, we have leaders crying that if everyone would go back 50 years everything would be okay, well that boat has sailed.
9
I think Ryan Lochte is also a reflection of America so don't break your arm patting us on the back.
11
What a beautiful, beautiful photo. Where can we buy one?
2
Mr. Brooks has listened to his party's presidential candidate too much and apparently believed him, too.
America is pretty great by any measure, despite its political paralysis, corrupt congress and unfettered capitalism. To make American greater and stronger we should rid the congress of the tea bag party and rigid right-wing know nothing bomb-throwers and those who have a death grasp on their gerrymandered districts. Term limits, anyone?
We must take the sting out of words like "compromise" and "moderate". Elect individuals who won't be corrupted by the wealth and power of lobbyists for big ag, big pharma, big medicine, big insurance and big guns. Make political correctness a virtue again, equivalent to "civil discourse".
Too bad that politicians aren't subject to preliminary testing of their skills and competence like Olympic athletes are. Then we would have representatives who demonstrate their fitness in every speech and gesture and make us proud. Or at least wouldn't make us cringe with embarrassment as does the current GOP um...standard bearer.
Make the government great again. Lose the GOP.
America is pretty great by any measure, despite its political paralysis, corrupt congress and unfettered capitalism. To make American greater and stronger we should rid the congress of the tea bag party and rigid right-wing know nothing bomb-throwers and those who have a death grasp on their gerrymandered districts. Term limits, anyone?
We must take the sting out of words like "compromise" and "moderate". Elect individuals who won't be corrupted by the wealth and power of lobbyists for big ag, big pharma, big medicine, big insurance and big guns. Make political correctness a virtue again, equivalent to "civil discourse".
Too bad that politicians aren't subject to preliminary testing of their skills and competence like Olympic athletes are. Then we would have representatives who demonstrate their fitness in every speech and gesture and make us proud. Or at least wouldn't make us cringe with embarrassment as does the current GOP um...standard bearer.
Make the government great again. Lose the GOP.
100
A thousand "recommendeds" to this one.
4
Sometimes Mr Brooks I truly do not understand where you are coming from. Time and time again, whenever our elite athletes speak about what has motivated them the most throughout their lives to push through, its been..."My Mother, my father..."; Or, "My family". Just imagine a family that has grown-up in isolation outside of a community-Almost impossible! No, its the values of our communities here in America that we ultimately see passed down through the family to our elite athletes. And yes that's why we must never allow those values to be forgotten, compromised or rationalized as being 'Conservative values' or 'Liberal values'...No they are American values, compliments of the individuals and families who built this country. God bless
3
I though it interesting that Mr. Brooks chose the FDA and the patents office as examples, two institutions that have been "gutted" by the small government conservatives.
15
Right, just imagine what could happen if ethics and fairness dictated the rules of Wall Street and Washington.
6
Beyond the current campaign induced pessimism, the US is really a great nation,not because of the impressive tally of Olympic medals or other statistical benchmarks, but because it has historically been a great laboratory of promoting cultural diversity that allowed a free exchange of ideas and values coming from a wide range of people who had made America their new home to realise their dreams that ultimately merged with the great America dream duly sustained and protected by its sturdy institutions. .
5
Definitely not from a moral development perspective.
1
In face of a largely negative and vituperative presidential campaign, it has been a great delight to zone-out, and watch the Olympians fight the elements (bad weather, green pools) and compete with each other to attain their highest goals --which didn't always include a medal; like the two women runners who stopped to help each other finish the race after a bad trip-up, and the dancing weight-lifter from Kiribati, who put climate-change on the podium and a smile on everyone's faces.
Yes, there were strange things and bad things -- but all in all, Rio has proven itself to be a good host to the world. Now it just has to be a better host to itself.
Oh, and you forgot Soccer, Mr. Brooks. Germans also have a great system for training soccer players. World Cup 2014 Winners, Remember??? Danke.
Yes, there were strange things and bad things -- but all in all, Rio has proven itself to be a good host to the world. Now it just has to be a better host to itself.
Oh, and you forgot Soccer, Mr. Brooks. Germans also have a great system for training soccer players. World Cup 2014 Winners, Remember??? Danke.
2
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it." --- David Brooks, channeling Franklin Roosevelt first inaugural address: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
4
Globalization, in the last 2 decades, produces winners and losers in America. The winners are the mulinationals and the 1% and the losers are overwhelmingly the working class and the poor. One does not need to know the specifics of TPP (do you Mr. Brooks?) to know what it will do to our worsening income disparity.
1
Mr. Brooks:
Who would have thought that a few gold medals could have turned the country around so rapidly in your mind. However, that swell of pride your jingoistic heart feels is not the real world. The Olympics, itself, is a nest of political intrigue andoften corruption. Often the stories of those American personalities do not inspire, yes, Ryan Lochte. Or Hope Solo.
In the real world, which doesn't wait every four years to happen, our institutions are really not doing so well. Congress is the most obvious example. In the real world the gold medal winners are those who persevere in spite of the game being rigged against them. You know, actual people.
By the way, America's sports institutions haven't won a single medal. They give those to the individuals who actually run the race. You know, actual people. Sorry that winning so oftan has begun to bore you; I don't think you would feel that way if you,were actually in the race.Judging from the sideline is what you do instead.
Who would have thought that a few gold medals could have turned the country around so rapidly in your mind. However, that swell of pride your jingoistic heart feels is not the real world. The Olympics, itself, is a nest of political intrigue andoften corruption. Often the stories of those American personalities do not inspire, yes, Ryan Lochte. Or Hope Solo.
In the real world, which doesn't wait every four years to happen, our institutions are really not doing so well. Congress is the most obvious example. In the real world the gold medal winners are those who persevere in spite of the game being rigged against them. You know, actual people.
By the way, America's sports institutions haven't won a single medal. They give those to the individuals who actually run the race. You know, actual people. Sorry that winning so oftan has begun to bore you; I don't think you would feel that way if you,were actually in the race.Judging from the sideline is what you do instead.
1
I was 24 when Maria and Mario got married in Montreal 5 years after leaving
Italy. A year later I came to the US as a toolmaker .Six months later got started at the Purdue In Hammond . At 32 Joined PG as a chemical engineer , in 1973 The Patent Office issued a patent for modern Pampers in my name. Raised four wonderful kids and I am still married to Maria. Am 84 all I can
say Thank you US for being what you are.
Italy. A year later I came to the US as a toolmaker .Six months later got started at the Purdue In Hammond . At 32 Joined PG as a chemical engineer , in 1973 The Patent Office issued a patent for modern Pampers in my name. Raised four wonderful kids and I am still married to Maria. Am 84 all I can
say Thank you US for being what you are.
9
There can be no more of an illustration of the 1% or even the .1% phenomenon than Brooks' column. Equate elite athletes to American corporations. Nowhere in the article is there any talk about 'Quality of Life,' 'Happiness.' Basic fairness. There is a throwaway line though, about ...and, yes, Lochte. The America of the lauded, spoiled, entitled, excused and despised. Yeah, you're right Brooks. Maybe there is a correlation. But it would take a page 1 rewrite.
1
Mr. Brooks,tell your party's nominee, America is winning and is great already.
11
Something tells me they're not on speaking terms...
1
The Olympics are individual achievements. Despite the universal use of sport as an avatar of national pride, I have no share in these medals. I didn't win them, and 'America' didn't win them.
Thank you Mr. Brooks. The athletes show that hard work and sacrifice are the key to success - the American Dream. I think many Americans lived high on the housing bubble. Cars, boats, vacations - all false money. They are resentful. Yes, manufacturing jobs are gone but the people wanted cheap clothes and electronics. Companies want more profits and they cut back on research. Trump wants to cut corporate taxes - who will pay for the infrastructure that supports them - the average American. Companies say Americans are not skilled. A wealthy S CA county had a bond issue to raise money to improve STEM education resources in older schools. Local business refused to support the effort so only residents will pay. Companies should be required to pay their fair share. Pay good wages and support innovation.
7
I'm sorry, but isn't 'hard work and sacrifice' a common trait of people with ambition EVERYWHERE?
1
You've really nailed it--if all of the jobs came back to the US, cheap clothing, food and many other items would go by the wayside. Sadly, that's the conundrum we face. Do we want cheap goods at the cost of American jobs? Or are we willing to pay more to bring the jobs back?
Methinks there is a little "painting the target where the arrow landed" here, but David, you are one of the few commentators I know of who can speak about your nation's achievements without sounding like a braggart. There are many areas in which the U.S. severely underachieves, especially in education and health care. Recently, some posters on Reddit talked about the contrast between Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario-- where I'm from. It was striking. I'm not sure how much of the difference is the result of government policy and how much bad luck (I suspect that it's more government policy than people think it is) but it tells us that the U.S., for all it's achievements, has a long way to go. And by the way, I may disagree with you regularly, but you yourself are a commentator American conservatives should be proud of: honorable, fair-minded, and thoughtful.
2
I was at Niagara Falls in the early 70's and there was a stark difference and Canada won hands down.
1
Way to go David. The pessimism speakers need to hear this. They're banking on pessimism to boost their parties.
10
America is economically fantastic. Tell that to Trump!
2
Flint? Detroit? The rust belt?
All is well?
All is well?
The American Olympic team comes from incredibly diverse backgrounds. And many of the winners from other countries actually live and train in the USA. We are already a great country of winners!
8
ditto! Black, white, tall, short, fat, skinny, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Asian, Latino. A panorama of this country. Contrast with the political nonsense infecting us this year. Let's hope these athletes are representative of our future leaders!!!
1
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but ..." But we don't. We won't. Probably in part because it's hard. Two articles in today's Times, about millennials, quote young people talking about fathers who were laid off after 35 years with some company. So what do we do with a 55 year old man with no future? Teach him to code Java? At least let people over 50, jobless after 35 years of productive work, qualify for Social Security (which they've paid for).
1
Only a Trump Republican could ask a question like that in earnest.
Which is why Republicans are losing another presidential election.
They gave up on America during the first Clinton presidency.
And have been working against America's democracy every since in their mad Alice In Wonderland Party Above The Country Politics.
So, of course, they are still asking the wrong question.
They're still asking, "What else can we do to obstruct Obama."
Which is why Republicans are losing another presidential election.
They gave up on America during the first Clinton presidency.
And have been working against America's democracy every since in their mad Alice In Wonderland Party Above The Country Politics.
So, of course, they are still asking the wrong question.
They're still asking, "What else can we do to obstruct Obama."
1
America is a blessed country with vast natural resources and a highly motivated and educated population. Unfortunately, that only tells the good part of the story. Vast numbers of people who live in poverty, ignorance and in poor health face an uphill battle every day. On the surface we look great, but in reality we could do a lot better. For the wealthiest country in the world, we score surprisingly low in taking care of the most basic needs of the less visible citizens.
If New Zealand, Denmark, Hungary, Australia and Britain perform at a higher per capita rate, wouldn't that imply that their institutions work better than ours?
1
"Of course, we have to take care of those [American businesses] who are hurt..." Gee, David, isn't that a bit like...socialism? What self-respecting capitalist would lower himself to accept a government dollar? Oh, yeah, all of'em, the oil industry for starters, the welfare queen of governmental largess.
For that sharply rising share of Americans who deem democracy a "'fairly bad' or 'very bad' system of government," Donald Trump is certainly the answer to their prayers. If 25% of young voters feel that way, then 75% apparently do not. Those are not good odds at the voting booth for the likes of the Republican Party.
The GOP has been selling blinders and calling them rose-colored glasses for half a century. It's time for a trip to the optometrist.
For that sharply rising share of Americans who deem democracy a "'fairly bad' or 'very bad' system of government," Donald Trump is certainly the answer to their prayers. If 25% of young voters feel that way, then 75% apparently do not. Those are not good odds at the voting booth for the likes of the Republican Party.
The GOP has been selling blinders and calling them rose-colored glasses for half a century. It's time for a trip to the optometrist.
The pessimism cited by David Brooks is probably less of a factor than he suggests for purposes of this column.
The two organizations he mentions are venerable and honest, but they have internal biases to be hypersensitive to trends they oppose. The World Values Survey champions democracy and worries about its appeal. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs was begun as and remains a bastion against American isolationism.
We are every bit as good as our Olympic athletes. We nourished them, encouraged them and built organizations in which they and their talent can prosper. The days of an autocratic Avery Brundage are over, and America now is even greater than the sum of its parts.
If good jobs are not as plentiful as they could be, our young people are the idealists and the ideal people to insist upon bipartisan steps to cooperate in the job-creation which can flow naturally from renewing our infrastructure and sponsoring entrepreneurial talent.
Pessimism can be created in the minds of everyone, young or old, by prominent people insisting – against all evidence – that America needs to be made great again. We need to make sure that our young people, particularly, hear voices opposing that false message.
The two organizations he mentions are venerable and honest, but they have internal biases to be hypersensitive to trends they oppose. The World Values Survey champions democracy and worries about its appeal. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs was begun as and remains a bastion against American isolationism.
We are every bit as good as our Olympic athletes. We nourished them, encouraged them and built organizations in which they and their talent can prosper. The days of an autocratic Avery Brundage are over, and America now is even greater than the sum of its parts.
If good jobs are not as plentiful as they could be, our young people are the idealists and the ideal people to insist upon bipartisan steps to cooperate in the job-creation which can flow naturally from renewing our infrastructure and sponsoring entrepreneurial talent.
Pessimism can be created in the minds of everyone, young or old, by prominent people insisting – against all evidence – that America needs to be made great again. We need to make sure that our young people, particularly, hear voices opposing that false message.
What does this even mean? More nonsense.
I don't think our country ranks so highly among developed countries on the health and education of its citizens, which seems a little more important.
David's column pointed out for me what I felt was wrong with the Olympics. While we claim to celebrate the athlete and their achievement, the coverage focuses more on nations, on national medel counts and the inevitable comparisons of economic and political systems.
One would have thought that this would diminish with the fall of the Soviet Union. In that period the Olympics become a Cold War event. But that sense of American dominance simply shifted to the BRICK's nations. The Olympics provides its usual and temporary burst of nationalism, while Trump adds another sobering dimension to that very same nationalism.
Yet it is internationalism that was supposed to be the purpose of the Olympics. It was to celebrate the human aspect of sports competition and show how hard fought contests could be waged peacefully across national, ethnic and racial differences forging a sense of common ground in the struggles of each athletic competition. But the handshakes quickly fade as the gold medal ceremony along with a national anthem get played.
That's another thing I'd like to see changed. Rather than a county's national anthem why not commission an international anthem that would be played for all winners?
David can't help but translate all this nationalism into American triumphalism and its extension to American exceptionalism. The Olympic spirit was supposed to show us united in a common world, not dominate over it.
One would have thought that this would diminish with the fall of the Soviet Union. In that period the Olympics become a Cold War event. But that sense of American dominance simply shifted to the BRICK's nations. The Olympics provides its usual and temporary burst of nationalism, while Trump adds another sobering dimension to that very same nationalism.
Yet it is internationalism that was supposed to be the purpose of the Olympics. It was to celebrate the human aspect of sports competition and show how hard fought contests could be waged peacefully across national, ethnic and racial differences forging a sense of common ground in the struggles of each athletic competition. But the handshakes quickly fade as the gold medal ceremony along with a national anthem get played.
That's another thing I'd like to see changed. Rather than a county's national anthem why not commission an international anthem that would be played for all winners?
David can't help but translate all this nationalism into American triumphalism and its extension to American exceptionalism. The Olympic spirit was supposed to show us united in a common world, not dominate over it.
1
We're winning!
Winning!
Hey, everyone we're winning!
Winning winning winning
winning winning
We're winning!
Winning!
Hey, everyone we're winning!
Winning winning winning
winning winning
We're winning!
1
Hey, I'm just sitting here drinking my coffee this morning. Mr. Brooks is waving a flag in my face, but it has with two sides. So here's the other side of the flag he didn't mention. Per capita, Europe has more medalists than we do. And the other side of the flag sez friendly international relations, amazing athletic moments and the para-olympics are more important than how many medals are tallied. The other side of the flag also shows that the U.S. has the most citizens in prison than any country, the most citizens killed by our own police, we have put the most CO2 in the atmosphere, we still use the most natural resources, we treat our poor like vermin and we try to escape our U.S. culture with the most screens, potato chips and drugs, and most importantly, the other side of our flag sells and uses the most weapons, killing millions of civilians in criminal wars with Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. The diversity of this country gives hope that both sides of our flag can be "good", but that day is not yet here Mr. Brooks.
2
Mr. Lochte and his chums are a fine model. Don't over-read sports, Mr Brooks. Let it be.
America’s owes its strong Olympic showing almost entirely to Title IX, which provides equal sports opportunity for U.S. women. This give U.S. women an advantage over female athletes from most nations. American male Olympians are less successful compared to U.S. because the U.S. encourages its male athletes to compete in American football and baseball, which are not Olympic sports.
3
Even if we wanted to, I'm not sure we can evaporate free trade. Moreover, it looks to me like the jobs are there, but those jobs generally require Advanced or Specific Degrees, and a willingness to go into fields we're not familiar with. We may need more Americans to earn Masters and Ph.D.'s in the Sciences to bring better pay days home to our families.
I think David Brooks is on the right track with his commentary. We're doing a lot more right than wrong in the U.S., despite the pronouncements by individuals whose political ambitions require them to portray a doom and gloom scenario.
Are we perfect? Of course not. Is there still much to do to resolve our issues with racism, inequality in a variety of forms and a myriad of social ills? Definitely! Are there easy solutions to these issues? No, but do we have the capacity to take on these problems and make progress on them. I for one have to say "yes".
Are we perfect? Of course not. Is there still much to do to resolve our issues with racism, inequality in a variety of forms and a myriad of social ills? Definitely! Are there easy solutions to these issues? No, but do we have the capacity to take on these problems and make progress on them. I for one have to say "yes".
2
The one place we are not #1 is in the taking care of average, everyday Americans.
When we can brag about full employment at good wages
When we can brag about 100% of US getting medical care
When we can brag about having the world's best infrastructure
When we can brag about our CEO's making only 50 times more than workers
When we can brag about your party standing in respect when the President from the other party enters the gallery
Then we will have the democracy and the Nation that We the People seem to assume we deserve.
It is past time for M.Brooks to admit that the number ONE reason we don't have those things is due to the obstruction of our democracy by the republican party. C'mon, David, admit it. You'll feel better.
When we can brag about full employment at good wages
When we can brag about 100% of US getting medical care
When we can brag about having the world's best infrastructure
When we can brag about our CEO's making only 50 times more than workers
When we can brag about your party standing in respect when the President from the other party enters the gallery
Then we will have the democracy and the Nation that We the People seem to assume we deserve.
It is past time for M.Brooks to admit that the number ONE reason we don't have those things is due to the obstruction of our democracy by the republican party. C'mon, David, admit it. You'll feel better.
8
Our athletes are certainly better than the Republican Party. My Republican friends are wonderful folks but their voting sensibilities are limited.
You're a hundred percent correct, David. We are doing might fine. Now if we could only get Hillary to quit saying, "Make America Great Again".
1
Correction: Hillary said "America IS great."
The Trumpet states "Make America Great Again."
The Trumpet states "Make America Great Again."
3
Your article is a timely rebuttal to the prevailing view within the United States that things overwhelmingly dismal.
But now you need to write about the conduct of our top swimmers who have truly shamed the United States. It would seem elementary that their coaching for the Olympics would include loud warnings of the temptation to behave
dishonorably and immorally after achieving such impressive results physically.
But now you need to write about the conduct of our top swimmers who have truly shamed the United States. It would seem elementary that their coaching for the Olympics would include loud warnings of the temptation to behave
dishonorably and immorally after achieving such impressive results physically.
3
The US leads the medal count because of its population size, period. They also manage to produce good athletes because for most of them training in too racket-style US universities, it is the only way to get a decent education. That's survival mode, not great institutions, that make the success of team USA. As for the fallacious comparison with the economic success (according to the author, but he will not fool anyone), I really don't feel like spending all my time showing how poor this nation is at so many levels.
1
It's population. And corporate support for athletes!
1
You failed to note how many of the athletes from around the world who win medals, actually go to school and/or train in the USA. That they play for the team of their countries is part of the fun, but in truth it amplifies the prowess of the American athleticism.
Spot on! It is far too easy to focus solely on the negative and those who are unhappy are usually the loudest. There are always going to be people who dislike the system and wish to blame big names for their personal problems. Our nation is not perfect, but there is no where else I would rather live.
7
The athletes who make it to the Olympics are at the top of their sport. The comparisons Lord Brooks on his high horse with low standards is making are complete nonsense. Winning Olympic medals does not tell us anything about how the rest of a country's citizens are doing in terms of wealth, health, or anything else.
In case Lord Brooks hasn't looked out of his chauffeured limousine lately (event though the windows are quite tinted) he might have noticed that there are a lot of eyesores in America. We have a crumbling interstate system. Our airports are among the worst in the world. Our health care system is really a wealth care system. Schools in poorer areas need work. Public facilities are neglected or, even better, turned over to private entities and then out of public reach. Of course being an honorary Lord, Brooks doesn't have to mingle with the commoners so he doesn't.
As for the Olympics themselves, is the shill for the GOP not aware of the fact that the games do not usually help the finances of the city they are in? Has he not read that many of the cities remain in debt for years after or go bankrupt? And last of all, just because the elite are doing well doesn't mean the rest of us, the masses whom you so scorn in favor of the clean white places favored by the GOP, are doing well. Medals aren't everything. They don't feed us, clothe us, provide us with homes, jobs, medical care, etc.
In case Lord Brooks hasn't looked out of his chauffeured limousine lately (event though the windows are quite tinted) he might have noticed that there are a lot of eyesores in America. We have a crumbling interstate system. Our airports are among the worst in the world. Our health care system is really a wealth care system. Schools in poorer areas need work. Public facilities are neglected or, even better, turned over to private entities and then out of public reach. Of course being an honorary Lord, Brooks doesn't have to mingle with the commoners so he doesn't.
As for the Olympics themselves, is the shill for the GOP not aware of the fact that the games do not usually help the finances of the city they are in? Has he not read that many of the cities remain in debt for years after or go bankrupt? And last of all, just because the elite are doing well doesn't mean the rest of us, the masses whom you so scorn in favor of the clean white places favored by the GOP, are doing well. Medals aren't everything. They don't feed us, clothe us, provide us with homes, jobs, medical care, etc.
13
hen3ry, Is this really about the article or about your ongoing hatred for "Lord Brooks"? Give it a rest!
1
It's about the article. I don't hate Brooks. I don't like the way he sets up his essays and he's been a shill for the GOP for a very long time. Like them, he deserves Trump.
1
Mr. Brooks needs to put things in perspective.
Canada, with only 10% of the USA's population, has garnered 18 medals so far, while the USA has landed 100. If one projected on the basis of population, the USA is landing medals at the rate of 55% of Canada's rate - since Canada would be projected to win 180 medals if it had the same population as the USA.
It does not entitle Canadians to go around thinking "Wow, we're sooooooo much better than the USA". That's not the point.
The point is to be quietly proud of what they have accomplished and to treat them as examples to follow (where applicable) or NOT to follow (Ryan Lochte has joined the Ben Johnson and Lance Armstrong club of disgraced athletes).
The USA should work on that aspect of its national character: quiet pride is much better than boastful pride.
Canada, with only 10% of the USA's population, has garnered 18 medals so far, while the USA has landed 100. If one projected on the basis of population, the USA is landing medals at the rate of 55% of Canada's rate - since Canada would be projected to win 180 medals if it had the same population as the USA.
It does not entitle Canadians to go around thinking "Wow, we're sooooooo much better than the USA". That's not the point.
The point is to be quietly proud of what they have accomplished and to treat them as examples to follow (where applicable) or NOT to follow (Ryan Lochte has joined the Ben Johnson and Lance Armstrong club of disgraced athletes).
The USA should work on that aspect of its national character: quiet pride is much better than boastful pride.
24
Nice try Alex. Countries do not send a number of athletes in proportion to the population. The US did not send 10 times more athletes than Canada. From the only source I could find, the US sent 552 athletes and Canada sent 312 athletes. Using that standard, Canada should have won 56 medals to the US's 100. The Olympics limits the number of athletes for each event from each country so that other countries will have opportunities to participate.
Thanks for the tip, but many Americans are happy to be proud of the US, just like you should be proud of Canada, a great country and a great people. By the way, Canada won more medals than the US in 2014 Winter Olympics. Congrats.
Thanks for the tip, but many Americans are happy to be proud of the US, just like you should be proud of Canada, a great country and a great people. By the way, Canada won more medals than the US in 2014 Winter Olympics. Congrats.
Yes, Team USA did amazing. The athletes highlight the resources and dedication to hard work. But that is overshadowed by the Lotche event, similar to the Trump candidacy. Being American is about creating a more perfect union. We are far from that when other children and adults are without. So many Americans want a chance to work hard. Our government has failed them and corporate greed is sucking this country dry. There is no sense of social responsibility or team work. We are all on a sprint or swimming in our own lane.
8
What you say Mr. Brooks is heartening! We Americans have much to be proud of.
But what has happened to our political institution? What can we do to improve it? How do we encourage thoughtful, considerate, honest people with the desire to do what is best for America as a whole, to become politicians? People who focus themselves, and their comments, on what is good about America? And not how evil the people in the opposing party are. I fear if we cannot improve our political institution - and fairly soon - none of the greatness we show in other areas is going to matter.
But what has happened to our political institution? What can we do to improve it? How do we encourage thoughtful, considerate, honest people with the desire to do what is best for America as a whole, to become politicians? People who focus themselves, and their comments, on what is good about America? And not how evil the people in the opposing party are. I fear if we cannot improve our political institution - and fairly soon - none of the greatness we show in other areas is going to matter.
4
If the EU came as one country, they would have 87 gold, 101 silver, 92 bronze, nearly triple that of the US. The US wins many medals because it has great athletes and a huge advantage in facilities. Just think of the more than 3,000 colleges and universities that train athletes every single day. There is no country that would come close to that. As proof, many foreign athletes come to the US to train because they don't have either the facilities or the coaching that they can get here.
9
Isn't it sadly ironic that Mr. Brooks judges the country by "our athletes" when a few of them turn out to by lying, privileged punks?
5
"lying, privileged punks": unfortunately one of them, not an athlete, is an actual nominee for preside The!
2
Last word in previous comment should have been president, of course.
The writing software drives me Nuts!
The writing software drives me Nuts!
2
There is nothing wrong with America - and there is everything wrong with America for 7 millions white American men between ages 21 - 55 and their many girl friends. This the number of white American men not part of labour force by choice - they are not looking for jobs and use government programs or family support to maintain their I-phones and designer T-shirts. For them America is declining because their high school dropout record or high school deplomas are not providing good middle class jobs. Hard work and building the carrier is not their goal - they are entitlement princes. They formed Tea-Party, nominate Trump as Republican nominee in the Presidential race and attend Trump rally. The sad part is, our media assume this group as the representative of America, which is not - America is hard working white, black Hispanic Asian and middleeastern immigrants and natives, working day and night and excelling in every field of human endouver. Let us celebrate the Olympic medals of American excellence and hope in November we will elect a leader who is the representative of this American excellence, not the representative of 14 millions ( Trumps primary votes) losers of this great country.
78
There are more white baby daddy doing drugs and welfare than there are black ones. While the proportion of blacks is higher there are 5x as many white folks. The same thing applies to white baby momma doing drugs while on welfare.
2
True, we're a great nation. And it's the fact that progressives are constantly denying this, and actively trying to make us less great in order to counteract imagined sins, that is driving the Trump campaign.
2
Excuse me but did you listen to the conventions? The Republicans were the doom sayers, the Democrats the optimists.
2
We do well because we have great systems for preparing athletes? David - do the math, something you and most American students aren't good at. Adjusted for population, New Zealand's system would have produced 1024 medals to the U.S.'s 100 (as we speak). Denmark 732. Australia 361. Great Britain 281. Also note that all those countries have club sports models and not sports embedded in middle school through high school to college. Our system sucks producing far fewer medals, a much more obese adult population and to top it off, far worse educational outcomes with all those other countries crushing our 12th graders in math and science tests. If our system is great - what superlative do you conjure up for club sports system? Oh wait - you disdain the European models of national health care and so much more.
6
"Well, if you step outside the pall of the angry campaign rhetoric, you see that America’s institutions are generally quite strong."
Would that be the case for long if Trump win?
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
Thanks for the optimism, David. I usually don't agree with you, but I'll take it.
Would that be the case for long if Trump win?
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt, but the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
Thanks for the optimism, David. I usually don't agree with you, but I'll take it.
3
All this is good news but the problem is that equating worldly success with success of a nation is not a good thing. I wish I could see some statistics on how we are doing as a nation on individual character-building. Are these worldly successes increasing our arrogance, violence and racism? As non-white, foreigner-looking American, what I experienced the other day at an immigration checkpoint in New York state was despicable. The loud-mouth officer was treating me like trash even though he saw I was carrying an American passport. So, the question is, how is all this worldly success of the country helping us in the long run.
1
The people of the USA feel that they have no choice; that the media is in
control...yes mind control:
so..... how can this oppressive muzzle on the minds and hearts of :
we the people be lifted.....
I will tell you that if the private media restrictions on debates for President
was lifted to INCLUDE all those on ballots for the 50 states were lifted:
Then the voices of the people....instead of the corporate media...who
tell us what to think ; how to vote...would free us all...
so Mr. Brooks ...please write about allowing the NYTimes to write about
The Libertarians..who are running for President and Vice President be
written about....and heard...
The Green Party ..also should be written about and heard.
We The People are Tired of Media control of what we should think and do.
Get our Voices Back....please Mr. Brooks...
Then we could at least have a fair chance to be a republic once again.
control...yes mind control:
so..... how can this oppressive muzzle on the minds and hearts of :
we the people be lifted.....
I will tell you that if the private media restrictions on debates for President
was lifted to INCLUDE all those on ballots for the 50 states were lifted:
Then the voices of the people....instead of the corporate media...who
tell us what to think ; how to vote...would free us all...
so Mr. Brooks ...please write about allowing the NYTimes to write about
The Libertarians..who are running for President and Vice President be
written about....and heard...
The Green Party ..also should be written about and heard.
We The People are Tired of Media control of what we should think and do.
Get our Voices Back....please Mr. Brooks...
Then we could at least have a fair chance to be a republic once again.
1
Fox and Clear Channel can only effect or influence weak minds.
If you're an educated adult the rightist clown show rolls off like water off a duck's back.
If you're an educated adult the rightist clown show rolls off like water off a duck's back.
1
'stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it' = Trump!
Call it what it is. No need to be coy Mr. Brooks.
Call it what it is. No need to be coy Mr. Brooks.
7
Yes, trade agreements are good for manufacturing, but the manufacturing in he US isn't done by people, but by robots, so when manufacturing increases, the working class doesn't see much benefit.
The working class, especially working class whites, feel that their position is declining and it is easy for someone like Trump to misdirect a lot of them to fear and hatred of trade deals--or just fear and hatred.
The working class, especially working class whites, feel that their position is declining and it is easy for someone like Trump to misdirect a lot of them to fear and hatred of trade deals--or just fear and hatred.
1
Ah, Lord Brooks channels his inner de Coubertin, Avery Brundage and Juan Samaranch by extolling the virtues of the Olympics & the haul by American athletes, no questions asked.
The IOC is one of the world's most corrupt organizations, and its inability to cooperate in eradicating doping tells you all you need to know.
Corporate sponsorship has enabled Olympic athletes to carve out a life of swimming, spinning, running or jumping. Ryan Lochte, he of the bad dye job, bad choices, & a black Rolls Royce, engaged in Trumplethinskin levels of mendacity describing a cocked gun against his forehead while the truth was he was out with three relay caddies, drunk at 6AM, vandalizing a Shell station in Rio. USA, USA!
And Michael Phelps only came back for both London 2012 & Rio 2016 because of a conspicuous inability to carve out an adult life after swimmng. In the long lost days of "amateurism" in the Olympics v. Eastern European doped professionals, US Olympic athletes went about growing up. After his record haul in Munich (only surpassed by Phelps in 2008, thanks Jason Lezak), Mark Spitz dutifully went off to dental school.
Brooks should be offering props to multi medal winner Maya DiRado, who announced her retirement before the games commenced to start a grown up consulting job.
The Olympics are a distorted reality writ large, with amateur fencers, archers, & rowers on the same Olympic team as multi millionaire golfers, tennis players, and basketball players living large on a yacht.
The IOC is one of the world's most corrupt organizations, and its inability to cooperate in eradicating doping tells you all you need to know.
Corporate sponsorship has enabled Olympic athletes to carve out a life of swimming, spinning, running or jumping. Ryan Lochte, he of the bad dye job, bad choices, & a black Rolls Royce, engaged in Trumplethinskin levels of mendacity describing a cocked gun against his forehead while the truth was he was out with three relay caddies, drunk at 6AM, vandalizing a Shell station in Rio. USA, USA!
And Michael Phelps only came back for both London 2012 & Rio 2016 because of a conspicuous inability to carve out an adult life after swimmng. In the long lost days of "amateurism" in the Olympics v. Eastern European doped professionals, US Olympic athletes went about growing up. After his record haul in Munich (only surpassed by Phelps in 2008, thanks Jason Lezak), Mark Spitz dutifully went off to dental school.
Brooks should be offering props to multi medal winner Maya DiRado, who announced her retirement before the games commenced to start a grown up consulting job.
The Olympics are a distorted reality writ large, with amateur fencers, archers, & rowers on the same Olympic team as multi millionaire golfers, tennis players, and basketball players living large on a yacht.
5
Brooks you have become so patriotic and optimistic that I suspect you have found religion. Sports is big business. A country's success mirrors its economic system. Swimming and diving are elite sports in US. In China they are state controlled enterprises. Gymnastic success in US requires the coddling and sacrifice of parents. In China the state grooms the talented. Both systems yield medals if that's how you measure success. The greatness of America is its racial diversity. That is shown in its medalists even if the individual sports are not diverse. Sprinters black, swimmers white. Equestrian sports? Why don't horses get the medals. But Olympics perpetuate nationalism and that does not reflect the global economy that produces sports apparel. We should celebrate athletes without country medal counts. Stop playing national anthems. We should glorify human accomplishment.
3
Yes, a society of great achievers, and proudly so. But it is hard to make that case for our governmental institutions and the prevailing culture of Republican obstructionism and the pernicious small or no-government fetishes. That cancer needs immediate cure, while the rest of the body-politik looks healthy.
4
Speaking of tying the Olympic athletes to the U.S. government, we have two Lyin' Ryans--Lochte and Paul.
10
Endorse Hillary.
We'll will do better, and you can finally shrug off your Republican guilt, at the personal expense of losing more then a few conservative speaking engagements.
We'll will do better, and you can finally shrug off your Republican guilt, at the personal expense of losing more then a few conservative speaking engagements.
5
Endorse Hillary? Another lie perpetrated by the Clinton Foundation. They will (of course, AFTER the election) stop accepting money from corporations and overseas people. Another one of those things the Clintons want us to trust about them. Too late after the donkey is out of the barn.
Go Green
Go Green
3
It's so nauseating how quickly the party of "personal responsibility" pivoted to blaming America for abandoning them.
2
This column applauds the economic success of the United States but makes no mention of the human side of the equation. We have a major political party that wants to abolish any attempt to provide more or less universal healthcare and would eviscerate vital social programs like Social Security and Medicare. This claim to greatness rings somewhat hollow to me.
6
David really puzzles me. The corruption in the US (congress, sports, TV stations, etc.) and the world is significant. The middle class has been strangled to almost death, health care costs are very high, violence in the streets, unending wars have all become the new 'norm'. When I read David's columns, he reminds me of Pangloss. This country is the "best of all possible" countries. His optimism defies a serious reality that needs to be addressed head on for a change.
7
After 8 years of blaming just about everything that could possibly be negative about the US on Obama and the Democrats, I guess its progress when he barely concedes that things in the US are actually quite OK.
4
Kind of easy when one points up only to the top echelon isn't it? Sure our financial backing produces some darn good athletes. Now compared to our proletariat we rank as some of the most unfit, obese people the world has seen.
We're number 1!
Sure our captains of industry rake in huge amounts of money. Growing larger everyday. Now compared to our shmucks in the 99% we have the largest inequality of any country. Quickly descending year after year into 3rd world status. As designed by those same 1% getting wealthy off the blood and sweat of those beneath them.
We're #1!
Our Health Care is world class. But only for those that can afford it. It is not a Right like an most other countries. Americans pay more and get less.
We're #1~!
Shall we go on? Gov. representation? Infrastructure? Child poverty? Gun violence? Etc. etc...
Yes, we have some outliers that are truly outstanding. But compared to the over all, hoi polloi, we suck! We have the ability to be better for everyone. However the American spirit is now mean spirited. To be the best is to rub it in others faces and to be the ugly American abroad. We admire those that have achieved the best and for some reason think they are infallible in everything else. Sorry, humanity doesn't work that way. Just because one has a attained greatness doesn't mean their shift don't stink. Better to admire those that are humble and inspire and help others to be the best they can be. How does the US treat its teachers?! Not #1.
We're number 1!
Sure our captains of industry rake in huge amounts of money. Growing larger everyday. Now compared to our shmucks in the 99% we have the largest inequality of any country. Quickly descending year after year into 3rd world status. As designed by those same 1% getting wealthy off the blood and sweat of those beneath them.
We're #1!
Our Health Care is world class. But only for those that can afford it. It is not a Right like an most other countries. Americans pay more and get less.
We're #1~!
Shall we go on? Gov. representation? Infrastructure? Child poverty? Gun violence? Etc. etc...
Yes, we have some outliers that are truly outstanding. But compared to the over all, hoi polloi, we suck! We have the ability to be better for everyone. However the American spirit is now mean spirited. To be the best is to rub it in others faces and to be the ugly American abroad. We admire those that have achieved the best and for some reason think they are infallible in everything else. Sorry, humanity doesn't work that way. Just because one has a attained greatness doesn't mean their shift don't stink. Better to admire those that are humble and inspire and help others to be the best they can be. How does the US treat its teachers?! Not #1.
8
You left out one institution---public schools. None of all the positives you note in this piece would be possible without a strong commitment to public education. Having said that, both conservatism and neoliberalism have been making every effort to privatize this institution. The charter movement, the accountability movement, the standards movement, etc. are all designed to dismantle a system that provided me and my children with the standard of living we now enjoy. Yes, the system needs reform, but the kinds of reform that improve the system, not dismantle it.
2
Perhaps our large number of Olympic medals is due to one simple thing: the increasing focus and increasing resources put into athletics in our universities. No other country mixes athletics with academics in this way.
And one might say that the diversion of limited resources for this purpose has contributed to the parallel decline of our state university system and the "reversion to the mean" of our once premiere scientific community. When a major sport coach is paid as much as all the same university's mathematics faculty together, or an assistant coach is paid as much as a scientist in the National Academy of Sciences, our societal priorities have been made clear.
And one might say that the diversion of limited resources for this purpose has contributed to the parallel decline of our state university system and the "reversion to the mean" of our once premiere scientific community. When a major sport coach is paid as much as all the same university's mathematics faculty together, or an assistant coach is paid as much as a scientist in the National Academy of Sciences, our societal priorities have been made clear.
5
Turn the coming election to a festival of celebrating the greatness of this great nation on earth. It is not about Trump (or Clinton for that matter) anymore. The weekend before Election Day, the silent majority should come out and show our unity. We will vote with excitement and with our consciousness. America is winning because of the decency of her people. America is winning because of the strength of her people. The US of A has always been the only superpower. It had never been the military strength. Instead, it is the unique texture of the society bonded by the belief of the founding principles and the one and only American Dream!
"Is Our Country as Good as Our Athletes Are?"
In one word, NO.
Gold medals are ultimately a macho enterprise. Russia and China have also gone in for this sort of machismo, and the fact that we encourage our women to be macho does not change the fact.
Change the question to "Is our black community as well off as our black athletes?" and what would your answer be?
In one word, NO.
Gold medals are ultimately a macho enterprise. Russia and China have also gone in for this sort of machismo, and the fact that we encourage our women to be macho does not change the fact.
Change the question to "Is our black community as well off as our black athletes?" and what would your answer be?
2
I'm guessing Olympic performance is a lagging indicator. Struggling nations will continue to fund athletes long after they can or should. The games are a form of national encouragement, prestige, and pride. Witness Russian doping. The economic return on investment was probably nill or negative but they still went to extraordinary lengths anyway. Also consider that an Olympic bench is usually a decade in the making. It really takes years of underfunding and general hardship to undermine a sport. Witness Romanian gymnastics. The field wore away like a mountain top. The relationship might also be coincident as small nations can sometimes beat economic powerhouses. Athletes will continue to compete in some sports whether there's money or not. Any which way though, the correlation is probably not what David Brooks is suggesting.
3
Dear Mr Brooks,
Your best column ever. I am an american living in Brazil. It is a wonderful country with fantastic people. Yet, clearly lacking the long democratic history and institutional strength of the US. It is good to hear a conservative at this time acknowledge that America is great.
Your best column ever. I am an american living in Brazil. It is a wonderful country with fantastic people. Yet, clearly lacking the long democratic history and institutional strength of the US. It is good to hear a conservative at this time acknowledge that America is great.
5
Unlike the majority of Americans, the Olympic athletes in Rio de Janeiro 2016 are disproportionately black and brown like Barack Hussein and Michelle LeVaughn Robinson Obama. That was also true in Berlin Nazi Germany in the 1936 Olympics where America's white supremacist Jim Crow met Adolf Hitler's Aryan superman.
Sports and entertainment are carefully carved colored American reservation ghetto preserves for the "good kindness of European white American strangers" towards their fellow black African Americans who are still not their brothers and sisters in all phases of civil secular life.
There was an African American killed aboard both the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia. Neither craft looked like the colored majority in America. American rhetoric does not match it's practice. America is no where near as good as it prances, preens and pretends to be. Nor is America as evil as it once was.
Uncle Sam is still a bearded old white man. The Founding Fathers enslaved Africans denying their humanity. Their heirs discriminated against Africans defying their equality.
America is not as good as it's black athletes who have so much more than their athletic talent to offer their fellow Americans. And the world.
Sports and entertainment are carefully carved colored American reservation ghetto preserves for the "good kindness of European white American strangers" towards their fellow black African Americans who are still not their brothers and sisters in all phases of civil secular life.
There was an African American killed aboard both the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia. Neither craft looked like the colored majority in America. American rhetoric does not match it's practice. America is no where near as good as it prances, preens and pretends to be. Nor is America as evil as it once was.
Uncle Sam is still a bearded old white man. The Founding Fathers enslaved Africans denying their humanity. Their heirs discriminated against Africans defying their equality.
America is not as good as it's black athletes who have so much more than their athletic talent to offer their fellow Americans. And the world.
12
The whole concept of this allegory seems kind of silly to me.
Of course, America sweeps the medal table every four years, but not because of some inherent greatness, but because the system, again, has been rigged in their favor.
The IOC just like the IMF, the World Bank, the UN and the WTO are a Plutocrat dominated instrument of Corporate Imperialism and young people, even in the United States, are starting to realize that: "A majority of young Americans believe that the United States should stay out of world affairs, according to a Chicago Council on Global Affairs report."
So, while I can see that Mr.Brooks, who isn't a spring chicken anymore and who has greatly benefitted from the perfidious system in place now, the future belongs to a new crop of Americans, who increasingly are tired of American Imperialism, be it in foreign affairs, the financial sector, trade agreements or, yes, even the Olympics, an inexcusable event staged for the benefit of a few and to the detriment of so many. A farcical display of ego by Brazillionaires, a glorious opportunity for the most vain look-at-me architects, a bonanza for construction companies and rip-off merchants, and yes, a few games and spectacles to justify all the corruption that drives it all.
How about trying to become great by promoting peace around the world, by fixing your election process, by stopping illegal wars and drone strikes, by stopping mass shootings, and stopping financial fraud that puts the entire world at risk?
Of course, America sweeps the medal table every four years, but not because of some inherent greatness, but because the system, again, has been rigged in their favor.
The IOC just like the IMF, the World Bank, the UN and the WTO are a Plutocrat dominated instrument of Corporate Imperialism and young people, even in the United States, are starting to realize that: "A majority of young Americans believe that the United States should stay out of world affairs, according to a Chicago Council on Global Affairs report."
So, while I can see that Mr.Brooks, who isn't a spring chicken anymore and who has greatly benefitted from the perfidious system in place now, the future belongs to a new crop of Americans, who increasingly are tired of American Imperialism, be it in foreign affairs, the financial sector, trade agreements or, yes, even the Olympics, an inexcusable event staged for the benefit of a few and to the detriment of so many. A farcical display of ego by Brazillionaires, a glorious opportunity for the most vain look-at-me architects, a bonanza for construction companies and rip-off merchants, and yes, a few games and spectacles to justify all the corruption that drives it all.
How about trying to become great by promoting peace around the world, by fixing your election process, by stopping illegal wars and drone strikes, by stopping mass shootings, and stopping financial fraud that puts the entire world at risk?
16
shame about our op-ed columnists, though.
2
"But America’s economic success is like our Olympic success, writ large. The nation’s troubles are evident, but our country has sound fundamentals. The American dollar is by far the world’s currency. The Food and Drug Administration is the benchmark for medical standards. The American patent system is the most important in the world."
Neither the strength of the American dollar nor the American patent system contributes to the well-being of an average American. It is a degree of economic inequality that determines that well-being, and things do not look good.
In the last few years, this country has consistently been placed behind the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the World Happiness Index survey.
When compared to those Western democracies (that have made their priority to take care of all its citizens instead of a selected few), with no substantial changes in sight, we have reasons to be depressed and pessimistic about the present and the future.
Neither the strength of the American dollar nor the American patent system contributes to the well-being of an average American. It is a degree of economic inequality that determines that well-being, and things do not look good.
In the last few years, this country has consistently been placed behind the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the World Happiness Index survey.
When compared to those Western democracies (that have made their priority to take care of all its citizens instead of a selected few), with no substantial changes in sight, we have reasons to be depressed and pessimistic about the present and the future.
7
Ryan Lochte, a 32 year old (old enough to know better) white male with a promising future, together with his friends, drank and behaved so boorishly they trashed someone else's property, disrespected regular working people and then made up a story so they could point to another struggling nation's problems. Sounds like our athletes are pretty much a mirror reflection of the country.
15
Nonsense. That incident was four people! Out of the entire USA team, that group is a symbol of nothing.
Speaking of Forbes, for 2015 Forbes ranked Denmark the number 1 country for business and ranked the US number 22.
For health care, Mississippi ranks the same as Botswana for infant mortality.
For health care, Mississippi ranks the same as Botswana for infant mortality.
38
Votes don't come from economic measures, famous athletes, scientific innovations, financial algorithms - they come from individuals that respond herdlike to as many external stimuli as the campaigns can muster,. These include those which cause actions that violate their own individual ethics, morals and good sense. Those that can respond properly are bated to new lows and those that don't will have their votes suppressed, their candidates investigated or removed.
2
We can be if we all dope the way they do.
2
This positive U.S. representation is easily explained. There is a ruling class, delineated by sector: a political ruling class, a business ruling class, a military ruling class, an educational system ruling class, a professional and amateur sports ruling class, and many more. All are in hierarchical arrangements.
The ruling class in America is doing really great! The consolidation of assets permits this to be so. In addition, the structure and assets of the institutions that the ruling class uses as its base of operations are extremely complex and necessitates a professional servant class of highly developed and impressively competent individuals. This professional servant class constitutes approximately 20% of the working population, products of a long evaluation, development, and vetting process consuming most of their early lives. Because of the huge importance and value of the servant class to the development and maintenance of assets of the ruling class, the professional servant class is doing very well too.
This explains the factual strength of the article.
The ruling class in America is doing really great! The consolidation of assets permits this to be so. In addition, the structure and assets of the institutions that the ruling class uses as its base of operations are extremely complex and necessitates a professional servant class of highly developed and impressively competent individuals. This professional servant class constitutes approximately 20% of the working population, products of a long evaluation, development, and vetting process consuming most of their early lives. Because of the huge importance and value of the servant class to the development and maintenance of assets of the ruling class, the professional servant class is doing very well too.
This explains the factual strength of the article.
2
Ha, Ha, you might have missed the antics of our medal winning Olympic swim team - except Michael Phelps, who has become a father and grown up - when your column was done, Mr Brooks.
There is no doubt America is still the cleanest shirt in the economic basket but she is also rearing a bunch of juveniles. (And people wonder why so many have gravitated toward Donald Trump!)
If the allegation of some of the U.S. swimmers are true, the entitlement is unmistakable. At least they only caused minor property damage even though the black spot of being "ugly Americans" is harder to whitewash, this incident mimics the darker version of the Stanford swimmer who didn't have the gut to face the consequence of his action. (And what about Nate Parker? Julia Parker committed suicide in 2012).
Sadly, cuddling the elite athletes is not equal opportunity. On Twitter, trolling Gabby Douglas is an opposite of protecting the swimmers. Superficially, one'd not be surprised the partisans might consider the difference is about racism and sexism.
So like free trade should be nuanced, so are other aspects of America's leadership, such as moral leadership. There are certain places she mustn't tread, like NJ Gov Christie's brown nosing the Jewish vote by forbidding the state pension plans to boycott Israel
There is no doubt America is still the cleanest shirt in the economic basket but she is also rearing a bunch of juveniles. (And people wonder why so many have gravitated toward Donald Trump!)
If the allegation of some of the U.S. swimmers are true, the entitlement is unmistakable. At least they only caused minor property damage even though the black spot of being "ugly Americans" is harder to whitewash, this incident mimics the darker version of the Stanford swimmer who didn't have the gut to face the consequence of his action. (And what about Nate Parker? Julia Parker committed suicide in 2012).
Sadly, cuddling the elite athletes is not equal opportunity. On Twitter, trolling Gabby Douglas is an opposite of protecting the swimmers. Superficially, one'd not be surprised the partisans might consider the difference is about racism and sexism.
So like free trade should be nuanced, so are other aspects of America's leadership, such as moral leadership. There are certain places she mustn't tread, like NJ Gov Christie's brown nosing the Jewish vote by forbidding the state pension plans to boycott Israel
1
"There is no doubt America is still the cleanest shirt in the economic basket".....
Hmmmm? Bleach maybe?
Hmmmm? Bleach maybe?
America is a great country because at random times in our history we've chosen great leaders, men and women who adhered to principles like "all men are created equal." It starts there with that one simple notion.
At random times we've also chosen horrible leaders, more familiar ones like Nixon, Reagan and Bush who brought along their friends Gingrich, Rove, McConnell, Ryan, Cruz, et al. They haven't completely dismantled the best things about this country, but they're well on their way.
Those lesser men and women in today's Republican Party are driving the pessimism and fear we all feel today.
At random times we've also chosen horrible leaders, more familiar ones like Nixon, Reagan and Bush who brought along their friends Gingrich, Rove, McConnell, Ryan, Cruz, et al. They haven't completely dismantled the best things about this country, but they're well on their way.
Those lesser men and women in today's Republican Party are driving the pessimism and fear we all feel today.
8
It's quickly mentioned at the end of the article that of coarse we have to help the people who are hurt. We may have the top brands, but the wealth generated is funneled to an elite few. The inequality gap grows each year. What good is all this wealth, all this winning, if only a few benefit? The "hurt" is a growing demographic, not a good sign. This success will be short-lived if our capitalism does not make a humane shift. Just as we foster our athletic community to win gold, we need to nurture and support the poor, the displaced, the dwindling middle class, so we don't become a gated community nation, ghettos growing, the gilded hiding.
2
David,
While its nice that you can boast of our well performing institutions, you need a gut check on those that are failing our citizens.
Only a few people make it to those great universities and few others could afford them even if they could.
The debate over Obamacare overlooks the statistics that show healthcare if too expensive and provide little extra benefit for those dollars compared to all of the other successful countries of the world that provide universal healthcare to their citizens.
Economic prosperity is great for those with good jobs, but just try getting one.
While you are essentially correct that we should not be overly pessimistic, you chose to paint an overly optimistic portrait as well that ignores why our political choices are so poor and the everyday opportunities for everyday people are so limited. For too many , they live in a state of fear from the very institutions meant to protect them.
We're far too eager to declare ourselves great when we have a lot to learn.
While its nice that you can boast of our well performing institutions, you need a gut check on those that are failing our citizens.
Only a few people make it to those great universities and few others could afford them even if they could.
The debate over Obamacare overlooks the statistics that show healthcare if too expensive and provide little extra benefit for those dollars compared to all of the other successful countries of the world that provide universal healthcare to their citizens.
Economic prosperity is great for those with good jobs, but just try getting one.
While you are essentially correct that we should not be overly pessimistic, you chose to paint an overly optimistic portrait as well that ignores why our political choices are so poor and the everyday opportunities for everyday people are so limited. For too many , they live in a state of fear from the very institutions meant to protect them.
We're far too eager to declare ourselves great when we have a lot to learn.
3
Michelle Obama had it right when, at the Democratic convention last month, she told us not to buy the argument that the US is less than great, either as a country or at this moment in time. Meanwhile, at the Republican convention, Trump presented a dark image of a lawless, declining nation. Why ever would Trump want to encourage fear and negativity? It just *might* come from his nonsensical arguments that President Obama has been anything but a smart, strong, honest, dedicated, forward-looking leader.
I'm with the Obamas and with America.
I'm with the Obamas and with America.
7
For every Simone Biles there is a Ryan Lochte.
3
Interesting that the woman embodies America's ideals better than the male.
Also true for our two candidates for president.
Also true for our two candidates for president.
6
Why not hoist the banners of globalization? Apple should champion the Chinese flag; the Gap should hoist the Bangladesh flag; IBM should hoist the flag of India; Pfizer, the flag of Island.
3
What Mr. Brooks fails to mention is that although the US may shine in medals at the Olympics, it remains an oligarchy. The latest statistics(2013) show that 10 percent of Americans hold more than 75% of the wealth of the country. To show how lopsided that is, consider that the next closest country with wealthy inequality is Australia, in which 50% of the wealth belong to the top 10%. I also mention in passing the fact that none of the elite who destroyed the economy causing the Great Recession have gone to jail, unlike, say, the millions in jail for drug use: a medical problem.
Mr. Brooks also fails to identify by name the presidential candidate running on fear. So let me do it for him: his name is Donald Trump. I look forward to Mr. Brooks at some time in the near future saying he will vote for Ms. Clinton. Otherwise, he risks his good name.
Mr. Brooks also fails to identify by name the presidential candidate running on fear. So let me do it for him: his name is Donald Trump. I look forward to Mr. Brooks at some time in the near future saying he will vote for Ms. Clinton. Otherwise, he risks his good name.
3
American idealism may be tarnished but our "innocence" and naivete are alive and well. Mr. Brooks rightly points to several indicators that place us at the top of the world--yet many feel pessimistic. How can that be?
Many problems we see are not new. Inequality, lack of opportunity, challenges of infrastructure and many others have plagued the United States (sometimes in cycles) since the early 19th century. What feels different now?
So much information available to everyone all the time is great--but understanding that information requires an individual and collective commitment to place it in a reasonable and productive frame of reference. If we as a country did that--we would make a number of observations. In spite of a few clueless Americans, people have a generally positive of Americans. Further, many countries are envious of the US. We still attract immigrants, an indicator of economic growth. The US doesn't need more than ten years to make substantial change-other countries need fifty years.
What has failed? Our commitment to providing individuals across the spectrum with education and training resources has not adjusted to the demands of the 21st century. Nor have we made a commitment to support children and families to prepare for this (un)brave new world.
I remain optimistic. If I compare the opportunities that my children and I have had compared to my parents-I remain in awe. My grandparents would be astounded if they were still alive.
Many problems we see are not new. Inequality, lack of opportunity, challenges of infrastructure and many others have plagued the United States (sometimes in cycles) since the early 19th century. What feels different now?
So much information available to everyone all the time is great--but understanding that information requires an individual and collective commitment to place it in a reasonable and productive frame of reference. If we as a country did that--we would make a number of observations. In spite of a few clueless Americans, people have a generally positive of Americans. Further, many countries are envious of the US. We still attract immigrants, an indicator of economic growth. The US doesn't need more than ten years to make substantial change-other countries need fifty years.
What has failed? Our commitment to providing individuals across the spectrum with education and training resources has not adjusted to the demands of the 21st century. Nor have we made a commitment to support children and families to prepare for this (un)brave new world.
I remain optimistic. If I compare the opportunities that my children and I have had compared to my parents-I remain in awe. My grandparents would be astounded if they were still alive.
It undermines Trump's entire message, doesn't it? America doesn't need to be made great "again." We're already there.
"Make America Great Again" could have been a good campaign slogan for Barack Obama in 2008, when we still had an unneeded war raging in Iraq and our economy was starting to collapse and world leaders thought we were foolish. Trump missed his moment then, if "make America great again" has any meaning at all.
"Make America Great Again" could have been a good campaign slogan for Barack Obama in 2008, when we still had an unneeded war raging in Iraq and our economy was starting to collapse and world leaders thought we were foolish. Trump missed his moment then, if "make America great again" has any meaning at all.
Based on the rise of Trumpism in recent months it is clear that the institutions which prepare Olympic athletes operate on a higher plane of efficiency than those institutions that prepare everyone else to participate in a functioning democracy, namely, our public schools. How in heaven's name did thirteen plus million people think it a good idea to support a man who thinks Supreme Court justices 'sign bills' and has not heard about Russia's aggression in the Ukraine? The only answer is that these millions are as dim in their understanding of basic US policy, history, and principles as the hero they are worshipping. I can comprehend hundreds of thousands of people being poorly educated in this great land of opportunity. But, millions??
For me, the revelation of the 2016 Olympics is that while we are able as a nation to perform gold medal miracles on the global stage, the less glamorous and more mundane task of educating our own people has eluded us, big time. Training an elite core of athletes is no reflection of the success of a democracy -- as the successes of Russian and China have proven. This is not to take away any of the wonder and joy our Olympians bring to us. But their grace and excellence that reflects the success of our sports programs is in sharp contrast to the astonishing failure of those academic systems intended to educate the rest of us and which, as evidenced by recent events, has not been working very well at all.
For me, the revelation of the 2016 Olympics is that while we are able as a nation to perform gold medal miracles on the global stage, the less glamorous and more mundane task of educating our own people has eluded us, big time. Training an elite core of athletes is no reflection of the success of a democracy -- as the successes of Russian and China have proven. This is not to take away any of the wonder and joy our Olympians bring to us. But their grace and excellence that reflects the success of our sports programs is in sharp contrast to the astonishing failure of those academic systems intended to educate the rest of us and which, as evidenced by recent events, has not been working very well at all.
162
Our education system spent decades doing a good job of preparing millions of people for factory jobs. Now those jobs are gone, but for the most part the education system hasn't adapted to the changes in our work force.
2
"Trumpism" did not lead to mass black incarceration and black welfare deformation.
They were both the result of "Clintonism".
They were both the result of "Clintonism".
1
I really think it has to be the media they read and watch. People form their opinions from the information they see, hear, or read. The "facts" they digest are used to form opinions. When the facts are presented by a huge confederation of newsprint, religious leaders, right wing radio, and elected Republicans, then those facts can be herded in the direction the confederation wants them to go. It's actually a case study in how to get people to vote against their own self interest.
Hmmm.... The premise of today's column appears to be: America is great because we have great "institutions" and "systems." But aren't "institutions and systems precisely what Republicans (i.e. YOUR party) constantly rails against? Isn't "government," the anathema of Republicans, just another type of system/institution?
Here are the examples of our "sound fundamentals" that you cite:
- The Food and Drug Administration (a federal agency)
- The strength of the dollar (= The Fed)
- The American Patent System (a federal agency)
- Our universities (heaven forbid!)
You and your party have been decrying these examples of "government contraol" and "intrusion into our lives" for decades. Yet now you turn around and laud them as fundamentals to our greatness? If so, then why have Republicans been working hard to dismantal these institutions, even though it's our systems and institutions that make us "great?"
You state: "...the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism...." Who has cultivated that pessimism? Your Republican party is the culprit, in its fervent battle against any type of governmental program (including those that "take care of those who are hurt").
David, you have for many years been defending and espousing the Republican political philosophy that has been demonizing our systems and institutions. THAT has greatly contributed to our country's current pessimism and malaise (as well as "the stupid and fearful choices" that have flown from it).
Here are the examples of our "sound fundamentals" that you cite:
- The Food and Drug Administration (a federal agency)
- The strength of the dollar (= The Fed)
- The American Patent System (a federal agency)
- Our universities (heaven forbid!)
You and your party have been decrying these examples of "government contraol" and "intrusion into our lives" for decades. Yet now you turn around and laud them as fundamentals to our greatness? If so, then why have Republicans been working hard to dismantal these institutions, even though it's our systems and institutions that make us "great?"
You state: "...the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism...." Who has cultivated that pessimism? Your Republican party is the culprit, in its fervent battle against any type of governmental program (including those that "take care of those who are hurt").
David, you have for many years been defending and espousing the Republican political philosophy that has been demonizing our systems and institutions. THAT has greatly contributed to our country's current pessimism and malaise (as well as "the stupid and fearful choices" that have flown from it).
12
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt..."
Oh. And could you remind us what your GOP sponsors have done about that taking care thing? You know, I mean to ensure that we wouldn't face the current backlash that could to hobble initiatives like TPP? Thanks in advance.
Oh. And could you remind us what your GOP sponsors have done about that taking care thing? You know, I mean to ensure that we wouldn't face the current backlash that could to hobble initiatives like TPP? Thanks in advance.
12
Mr. Brooks: If you keep writing upbeat, optimistic and fact-based columns like this, they are going to drum you right out of the Republican Party.
9
"America does well because it has such great systems for preparing athletes."
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but let's ask ourselves about these "systems?" How, indeed, does the US develop world class swimmers and field hockey players? The answer lies, in many cases, in our bloated university athletic systems. Only a few Division I schools actually make money on athletics. The rest subsidize programs with - you guessed it - tuition dollars from their non-athlete students....who accrue more debt as a result.
This is a bargain that we, as a society, seem willing to make. After all, our NFL will always be superior to football leagues in countries that do not subsidize university and high school feeder systems that put top quality stadiums in the most impoverished areas. Other countries put their education tax dollars into education. Absurd, no?
Yes, many Olympic athletes subsidize their own careers with personal sacrifices of time and wealth but, look at the training history of any American athlete and you will probably find a college wiith top quality coaches, training and performance facilities, to say nothing of the cost for traveling and hosting competitions.
Sure, the success of our Olympic athletes is partly linked to the "greatness" of our country ...but, let's be honest, it's also linked to skewed priorities and student loan debt.
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but let's ask ourselves about these "systems?" How, indeed, does the US develop world class swimmers and field hockey players? The answer lies, in many cases, in our bloated university athletic systems. Only a few Division I schools actually make money on athletics. The rest subsidize programs with - you guessed it - tuition dollars from their non-athlete students....who accrue more debt as a result.
This is a bargain that we, as a society, seem willing to make. After all, our NFL will always be superior to football leagues in countries that do not subsidize university and high school feeder systems that put top quality stadiums in the most impoverished areas. Other countries put their education tax dollars into education. Absurd, no?
Yes, many Olympic athletes subsidize their own careers with personal sacrifices of time and wealth but, look at the training history of any American athlete and you will probably find a college wiith top quality coaches, training and performance facilities, to say nothing of the cost for traveling and hosting competitions.
Sure, the success of our Olympic athletes is partly linked to the "greatness" of our country ...but, let's be honest, it's also linked to skewed priorities and student loan debt.
"Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time" said Churchill.
The U.S. is to other countries what democracy is to other forms of government. Flaws and regrets, we have a few, but the good outweigh the bad, mostly.
We still have to work on social and economic justice for all, but no other country gives the kind of opportunities that US does to citizens and immigrants alike and allow them to succeed.
We still have racial inequality, but we elected an African American as president, not once but twice.
For every Trump who spreads gloom and doom, there have been--and will be--others who offer hopes and dreams and work to realize both.
As Senator Barack Obama said in his "More perfect Union" speech, "This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election."
Or as Senator Kennedy said when his campaign for the presidency ended in 1980, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
The U.S. is to other countries what democracy is to other forms of government. Flaws and regrets, we have a few, but the good outweigh the bad, mostly.
We still have to work on social and economic justice for all, but no other country gives the kind of opportunities that US does to citizens and immigrants alike and allow them to succeed.
We still have racial inequality, but we elected an African American as president, not once but twice.
For every Trump who spreads gloom and doom, there have been--and will be--others who offer hopes and dreams and work to realize both.
As Senator Barack Obama said in his "More perfect Union" speech, "This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election."
Or as Senator Kennedy said when his campaign for the presidency ended in 1980, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
99
"We still have to work on social and economic justice for all, but no other country gives the kind of opportunities that US does to citizens and immigrants alike and allow them to succeed."
You are wrong; Sweden and Germany give great opportunities to their immigrants, starting with free education and generous health benefits.
You are wrong; Sweden and Germany give great opportunities to their immigrants, starting with free education and generous health benefits.
2
"...but no other country gives the kind of opportunities that US does to citizens and immigrants alike and allow them to succeed."
This a not-so-subtle putdown of the many nations that match or exceed this particular virtue. In fact, a bit of research would identify countries that disprove this national-narcissistic claim.
This a not-so-subtle putdown of the many nations that match or exceed this particular virtue. In fact, a bit of research would identify countries that disprove this national-narcissistic claim.
1
Mea culpa, Dorota and javedell! My apologies.
I certainly shouldn't have forgotten Canada, which is in the top 10 along with the US and others per this:
http://www.immigroup.com/news/top-10-immigration-friendly-countries
I certainly shouldn't have forgotten Canada, which is in the top 10 along with the US and others per this:
http://www.immigroup.com/news/top-10-immigration-friendly-countries
1
Blind worship of athletes.
What a surprise.
Holding up random people, who happen to have great skill, as role models is an iffy strategy. Some are worth the praise, but blind worship is the norm.
How about is our country as good as its moms?
What a surprise.
Holding up random people, who happen to have great skill, as role models is an iffy strategy. Some are worth the praise, but blind worship is the norm.
How about is our country as good as its moms?
35
Mothers are God, said the Indian Avatar.
our country is as good as Ryan Lochte!!!
Thank you, David. That's more or less what Democrats have been saying for the last eight years. You may have noticed that your guys have chanted obsessively that the sky was falling. Is that not so? Then why not say it loud and clear? Your guys have been putting this country down without stop.
8
I guess when my wife and I moved back to Canada we said our piece.
We love America but have deep concerns for her future. Hillary has our vote but out of necessity not enthusiasm. Our money will be sent to Democratic candidates who share our values and are competing in down ballot contests.
All the athletes from all the world's countries are our children. For me the most important world record for this Olympics is condom use. I guess we are just old hippies who believe in making love not war.
This Brooks op-ed is absurd on many levels but he gets one thing right America is a wonderful country filled with many wonderful people but its greatness is Darwinian not engineering. America is an accident of time and place and the times they are a changin.
We love America but have deep concerns for her future. Hillary has our vote but out of necessity not enthusiasm. Our money will be sent to Democratic candidates who share our values and are competing in down ballot contests.
All the athletes from all the world's countries are our children. For me the most important world record for this Olympics is condom use. I guess we are just old hippies who believe in making love not war.
This Brooks op-ed is absurd on many levels but he gets one thing right America is a wonderful country filled with many wonderful people but its greatness is Darwinian not engineering. America is an accident of time and place and the times they are a changin.
2
Is our country as good as our athletes are?
Well, the biggest news story from yesterday -- not just in Olympics coverage, but the biggest story of any kind -- was about several American Olympic athletes being drunk, belligerent, and vandalizing property in the host country and then fabricating a false police report of armed robbery to avoid cover it up. In doing so the American athletes seem to have played on, and increased, fears and stereotypes about foreigners to avoid taking responsibility for their own destructive actions.
Given that of our country consists of an entire major political party willing to demonize foreigners and immigrants to avoid responsibility for their own destructive behavior, while also containing many willing to take responsibility for our actions, I'd say our country is just about exactly as good as our athletes are.
This is where they come from, after all.
Well, the biggest news story from yesterday -- not just in Olympics coverage, but the biggest story of any kind -- was about several American Olympic athletes being drunk, belligerent, and vandalizing property in the host country and then fabricating a false police report of armed robbery to avoid cover it up. In doing so the American athletes seem to have played on, and increased, fears and stereotypes about foreigners to avoid taking responsibility for their own destructive actions.
Given that of our country consists of an entire major political party willing to demonize foreigners and immigrants to avoid responsibility for their own destructive behavior, while also containing many willing to take responsibility for our actions, I'd say our country is just about exactly as good as our athletes are.
This is where they come from, after all.
3
America is a failure? America is weak? America is being exploited by China? Not in Rio, and not anywhere outside of the Republican narrative.
Black women champions excel in sports that racists claimed were white sports. In fact, all of those sports that Black athletes were once non-contenders in, have succumbed to reality. Yet after leading America from the depths of financial collapse, despite the fact that instead of hemorrhaging 750 thousand jobs per month after his first year created 2.1 million jobs, rescued hundreds of thousands of jobs in education, police and fire departments, rescued the banks and got restitution from them once they were restored, oversaw 74 months of private job growth with unemployment at 4.9%, since 2010 14.6 million non-farm private sector jobs have been created, oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds, reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.9% of GDP, oversaw a stock market recovery from 7K to a record 18k, despite these achievements Obama is obstructed, disrespected and scorned by Republicans. Some Americans are discouraged because the Republicans have discouraged them. Republicans cannot admit that America is great now because it would rob them of all of their racist voters who cannot endure a Black President in the White House. "the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that" nominated Trump.
Black women champions excel in sports that racists claimed were white sports. In fact, all of those sports that Black athletes were once non-contenders in, have succumbed to reality. Yet after leading America from the depths of financial collapse, despite the fact that instead of hemorrhaging 750 thousand jobs per month after his first year created 2.1 million jobs, rescued hundreds of thousands of jobs in education, police and fire departments, rescued the banks and got restitution from them once they were restored, oversaw 74 months of private job growth with unemployment at 4.9%, since 2010 14.6 million non-farm private sector jobs have been created, oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds, reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.9% of GDP, oversaw a stock market recovery from 7K to a record 18k, despite these achievements Obama is obstructed, disrespected and scorned by Republicans. Some Americans are discouraged because the Republicans have discouraged them. Republicans cannot admit that America is great now because it would rob them of all of their racist voters who cannot endure a Black President in the White House. "the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that" nominated Trump.
20
David:
No mention of Health Care?
No mention of Health Care?
Thanks for the pep talk David. But most of your values and measurements are focused on business, wealth and money. What about our quality of life? We are working harder than ever and yet the rising economic tide is not lifting all the boats. For many of us, we see leaks and rot in our little rowboats while the yachts are getting bigger and bigger. You also forgot to measure the performance of our government. By all accounts it is failing miserably. It is divided, it has become a tool of the rich, and our senators and representatives have lost touch with the 99% who do not have the wealth. These fools in Washington are supposed to be Public Servants. I think they somehow need to be reminded that the serve us, not the other way around. They only time they pay attention to us is when they need our vote. I for one am no longer going to be used for my vote. And unless they start seeing the light soon, they are going to get booted out of office. Another American revolution is coming and I can't wait until the American people clean out our House and Senate and sweep these opportunists out of office.
8
"Don't go around being stupid and fearful."
David, you have been sounding more a D these past few months. Face it, the R party does not care about governing.
David, you have been sounding more a D these past few months. Face it, the R party does not care about governing.
6
It was the "stupid and fearful choices" of the elites of both parties over the past thirty five years that have caused the "unmerited pessimism" among the masses, which, by the way, happens to be entirely merited.
And so the marketing campaign for TPP begins...
And so the marketing campaign for TPP begins...
2
'Stupid, fearful' choice - definition of vote for Donald J Trump.
6
Just because our athletes win a huge load of medals in the Rio Olympics doesn't mean that our country is as good as our athletes! Look at the mess Ryan Lochte (he of the dyed white hair and penchant for McBurgers and grabbing the spotlight on his antics) and his co-swimmers have made in Rio. Shame on them and shame on us! Simone Biles is the great star of American and world gymnastics - but that is due more to her great heart and soul than the stars and stripes gymnastic garments she wore to win her plethora of well-deserved gold medals. That your man, Donald Trump, is beginning to apologize (yes "regret" his words as he said last night in North Carolina, undoubtedly due to his new campaign managers and speechifier griots) means that he could be on his way to winning the Presidency. Your post-scriptum, David Brooks, that "of course we have to take care of those who are hurt" is the nadir of compassion among the Republicans! Lord have mercy on all of us, may Trump fail as the Republicans have failed in the last 2 presidential elections. Jamais deux sans trois.
6
We don't win any medals for our infant mortality or for for our access to health care even after Obamacare. We are medalists for our incarceration rates and our rate of climate change deniers. There are so many arenas where other countries do a better job taking care of its citizens. If we are so great, why will 40% of the voters end up voting for a narcissistic racist demagogue for president?
26
I guess that is what we call a backdoor entry into an argument. So if the trade situation is so great why do we continue to bleed on the macro level. 41 plus billion trade deficit per month, month after month. Robert Zoellick has been a shill for "free" trade his entire career. And that blubbering soliloquy on the Olympics, it's all about the Count DeMone'. Soap and ed pills sell. What better way than to wrap their pitch around an athletic event, larded with sappy personal interest stories, concluded with bells, whistles and exploding socks.
1
I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks, but I'm having a very hard time caring about the economy and how wonderful a few individuals are who have trained for years to win medals.
What I care about is how America really is, and it scares me right now, because it doesn't seem all that glorious with a politican GOP candidate who has said openly that he approves of torture, killing the families of terrorists, changing the libel laws so he can sue reporters who don't write what pleases him. A man whose been insulting, denigrating, demeaning, viciously attacking others and who would deny what the world saw: him deliberately and willfully mocking a man with obvious disabilities.
You talk about the big things. But the bigger things are right under your nose and you say little. The bigger things are what hinges on the future for the big things if Trump becomes president.
What I care about is how America really is, and it scares me right now, because it doesn't seem all that glorious with a politican GOP candidate who has said openly that he approves of torture, killing the families of terrorists, changing the libel laws so he can sue reporters who don't write what pleases him. A man whose been insulting, denigrating, demeaning, viciously attacking others and who would deny what the world saw: him deliberately and willfully mocking a man with obvious disabilities.
You talk about the big things. But the bigger things are right under your nose and you say little. The bigger things are what hinges on the future for the big things if Trump becomes president.
20
Two things: 1st--Bravo for actually reporting on meaningful institutions and practices that make a difference instead of relying on the ideological whining that characterizes so many articles. 2nd--Many of the companies you cite are producing enormous wealth now, but their growth and impressive sway with world markets does not produce the labor that former economic giants did. Apple, Google, IBM and others do not raise the tide for all the way corporations used to do, and for the vast majority who work for these and other giants, company success has little impact on those who are employed there. So, I can cheer Apple's stock and earnings, but its success affects me and my fellow Americans now about as much as Simone Biles' wonderful gold-medal performances are going to help my son pay for college!
8
We don't have better training across the board, Mr. Brooks. Look at Britain's dominance in track cycling as an example.
3
"the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
What could he mean by that?
What could he mean by that?
4
Trump!
1
"The Trans-Pacific Partnership was the central dominating boogeyman at the Democratic National Convention, especially among people who have no clue what’s in it."
Well, the fact that people "have no clue what's in it", has never stopped the electorate before. I would venture to say that most voters have very low understanding of ANY of the real issues upon which they make their choices.
Well, the fact that people "have no clue what's in it", has never stopped the electorate before. I would venture to say that most voters have very low understanding of ANY of the real issues upon which they make their choices.
14
Yet he makes no mention of it animating Trumplethinskin's campaign, too. The fact that it was put on a fast track while scrupulously withholding those very details is suspect. And when the details were leaked, the ability of corporations to take countries through a private arbitration process to sue for what they *believe* are profits lost due to government regulation should be a complete dealbreaker. Thus, Syncrude in Canada could sue the US in private arbitration for the profits they believe they lost when the US declined to build Keystone XL.
That provision stands to be a disaster for combating AGW, and a boon for corporations and their plutocratic "brethren."
That provision stands to be a disaster for combating AGW, and a boon for corporations and their plutocratic "brethren."
1
The biggest threat is not stupid choices flowing from pessimism, but stupid choices flowing from the wrong measures of greatness.
Our absolute medal count looks great, but Germany, England, and France combined have far more medals than the U.S., and a third less people. Are we as great as we like to believe?
Our economic growth looks good relative to other industrialized nations, but by any measure the median American family is far worse off than they were 30 years ago.
American universities are the best in the world, but most Americans can't afford them and our public secondary schools fall further and further behind the rest of the industrialized world in actually educating our children.
Our unemployment rate is low, but many citizens of working age have left the job market and the quality of jobs created in our winner take all economy is very low.
We are not great because we fly $100 million fighter jets over publicly financed football stadiums selling $100 tickets with 100 yard long American flags held by men in uniform. We are great when we provide everyone in our country a decent chance at a decent life.
Who cares about brands and assets under management when the result isn't good domestic jobs?
It isn't pessimistic to demand a real debate what greatness means. It is self-defeating to satisfy ourselves with measures of greatness that distract us from our overall decay.
Our absolute medal count looks great, but Germany, England, and France combined have far more medals than the U.S., and a third less people. Are we as great as we like to believe?
Our economic growth looks good relative to other industrialized nations, but by any measure the median American family is far worse off than they were 30 years ago.
American universities are the best in the world, but most Americans can't afford them and our public secondary schools fall further and further behind the rest of the industrialized world in actually educating our children.
Our unemployment rate is low, but many citizens of working age have left the job market and the quality of jobs created in our winner take all economy is very low.
We are not great because we fly $100 million fighter jets over publicly financed football stadiums selling $100 tickets with 100 yard long American flags held by men in uniform. We are great when we provide everyone in our country a decent chance at a decent life.
Who cares about brands and assets under management when the result isn't good domestic jobs?
It isn't pessimistic to demand a real debate what greatness means. It is self-defeating to satisfy ourselves with measures of greatness that distract us from our overall decay.
334
@CD
You have effectively laid out a working definition of "per capita".
Perhaps Liberals will devote an equal amount of time to the study of homogeneous cultures with populations less than that of a medium US city who outperform us and provide different social safety net benefits.
You have effectively laid out a working definition of "per capita".
Perhaps Liberals will devote an equal amount of time to the study of homogeneous cultures with populations less than that of a medium US city who outperform us and provide different social safety net benefits.
3
If you have found a better form of government, please share. In the meantime, try looking at what's right with America, rather than dwelling on what's wrong. Every society is a work in progress, and we are no different. What sets us apart from most other countries is the solid basis on which we were founded. No royalty, no tyrants, a solid form of representative government that sometimes goes awry, and the ability to right it.
If you want something to work, build it, erosion never built anything.
If you want something to work, build it, erosion never built anything.
55
Very thoughtful commentary. That said, the Olympics are fun, they are exciting! It is good to enjoy the achievements of so many people from all over the world.
1
The best country, the best athletes. America, heck yeah!
1
"the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it." But let's not forget to mention that 99% of the negativity comes straight out of the Republican Party (which should be renamed the Obstruction Party).
Free trade would be a great boon to all economies if there were a level playing field. But what we actually have is a crooked international system of trade, where countries like China impose tariffs of over 200% on American goods. This would be like requiring American Olympic swimmers to be weighed down with hundred pound bags of sand at the start of every race.
Finally, "A majority of young Americans believe that the United States should stay out of world affairs". That is the nonsense of poorly worded poll questions. Every American wants the United States to remain in world affairs. What we oppose are stupid wars, such as the ones we fought in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, and are now fighting in Afghanistan.
Free trade would be a great boon to all economies if there were a level playing field. But what we actually have is a crooked international system of trade, where countries like China impose tariffs of over 200% on American goods. This would be like requiring American Olympic swimmers to be weighed down with hundred pound bags of sand at the start of every race.
Finally, "A majority of young Americans believe that the United States should stay out of world affairs". That is the nonsense of poorly worded poll questions. Every American wants the United States to remain in world affairs. What we oppose are stupid wars, such as the ones we fought in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, and are now fighting in Afghanistan.
7
So, if Mr. Brooks' is correct about America's economic success and prowess, why would we not want four more years of a Democratic presidency? Does any one remember the mess left behind by the last GOP presidency?
62
I do believe he is trying to back in to an endorsement. Maybe not explicit, but his views are pretty clear.
1
The United States has had a Gold Medal President for almost eight years, Mr. Brooks, but the Grand Old Pessimists have spent every single waking hour of his gilded Presidency tarring and feathering him and his many successes while turning much of the country into an insane asylum of 'nattering nabobs of negativity' and ‘hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history.'
Imagine if the American Olympic team's funding was intentionally sabotaged, Simone Biles was portrayed as a Black Panther terrorist who hates America, Katie Ledecky was labeled as a Russian agent and Michael Phelps's 28 Olympic gold medals were marketed as conclusive incontrovertible evidence that marijuana has single-handedly destroyed America ?
That's the pessimistic painting the American right-wing wants America to have of everything for the sake of their political dementia and lust for tyrannical power.
The USA could actually be just as great as its Olympic teams, but Republistan has been working hard on hate radio, Fake News and in propaganda journals to hypnotize Americans into clinical depression, hysteria and mental incoherence.
Imagine having an Olympic rowing team comprised of half the team rowing the other half cuts holes in the boat, sprays mace into the rowers' eyes while screaming "free-dumb", "we're #1" and "tax cuts".
That's the American political country right now, a place intentionally handicapped by Grand Old Pirates scheming for bounty while peddling fear, depression and hysteria.
Imagine if the American Olympic team's funding was intentionally sabotaged, Simone Biles was portrayed as a Black Panther terrorist who hates America, Katie Ledecky was labeled as a Russian agent and Michael Phelps's 28 Olympic gold medals were marketed as conclusive incontrovertible evidence that marijuana has single-handedly destroyed America ?
That's the pessimistic painting the American right-wing wants America to have of everything for the sake of their political dementia and lust for tyrannical power.
The USA could actually be just as great as its Olympic teams, but Republistan has been working hard on hate radio, Fake News and in propaganda journals to hypnotize Americans into clinical depression, hysteria and mental incoherence.
Imagine having an Olympic rowing team comprised of half the team rowing the other half cuts holes in the boat, sprays mace into the rowers' eyes while screaming "free-dumb", "we're #1" and "tax cuts".
That's the American political country right now, a place intentionally handicapped by Grand Old Pirates scheming for bounty while peddling fear, depression and hysteria.
774
Loved this!
4
You are a great Writer!!!
3
My favorite posting of yours to date. I learn about as much from comments as I do from the articles they accompany. I get a good indication of what others are thinking, and in some cases, new and original ideas emerge.
Is time for the Times to employ you? Maybe, but why would they if your commentaries are theirs for free? On the other hand, the pressure and/or obligation might corrupt your imagination. Either way, thanks for both your insight and wit. Please keep it up.
Is time for the Times to employ you? Maybe, but why would they if your commentaries are theirs for free? On the other hand, the pressure and/or obligation might corrupt your imagination. Either way, thanks for both your insight and wit. Please keep it up.
4
Wherever there are people, there will be disagreements, the result is politics, and why a society coheres (instead of falling apart like the Arab countries featured in the epic NYT Sunday magazine issue) is because there are mechanisms - legislatures, courts, police, etc. - whose legitimacy is beyond question, and have the support of the people; so people are willing to accept decisions that are adverse to themselves and will not take to violence.
But what we are seeing is a sustained attack on these institutions, perhaps because they are not working as well as they should, but also perhaps because the ever incomplete work of making these better and improving our Union is also blocked. That is what should bother us, profoundly.
But what we are seeing is a sustained attack on these institutions, perhaps because they are not working as well as they should, but also perhaps because the ever incomplete work of making these better and improving our Union is also blocked. That is what should bother us, profoundly.
50
David, talk is cheap. Trade creates winners and losers. How do you plan on taking care of those who are being decimated by outsourcing and global trade? That's the question.
It certainly appears to me that your party doesn't believe in taking care of the losers.
It has a presidential nominee who began life on third base, has been lucky to not have been picked off third multiple times in the past, and is good at nothing so much as categorizing everyone he comes across as either a winner or a loser. Of course, a fairly substantial segment of his fellow Americans increasingly see him as the ultimate EMOTIONAL LOSER, a person with personality defects so YUGE that we find it impossible to imagine having any political relationship with him whatsoever, and would strongly consider alternative political arrangements were he elected President.
But let me return to the question at hand: how do you plan on either eliminating the downsides of global trade or compensating its losers? It's a simple question.
Perpetually retraining Americans for jobs that will not exist is the usual answer - and its not flying anymore.
My answer is simple. Either America dedicates itself to the proposition that every citizen deserves a job that pays a living wage, and allows government to become the employer of last resort, when necessary, or it becomes a European-style welfare state, in which the winners pay significantly higher levels of taxation to support the losers. Either will do.
It certainly appears to me that your party doesn't believe in taking care of the losers.
It has a presidential nominee who began life on third base, has been lucky to not have been picked off third multiple times in the past, and is good at nothing so much as categorizing everyone he comes across as either a winner or a loser. Of course, a fairly substantial segment of his fellow Americans increasingly see him as the ultimate EMOTIONAL LOSER, a person with personality defects so YUGE that we find it impossible to imagine having any political relationship with him whatsoever, and would strongly consider alternative political arrangements were he elected President.
But let me return to the question at hand: how do you plan on either eliminating the downsides of global trade or compensating its losers? It's a simple question.
Perpetually retraining Americans for jobs that will not exist is the usual answer - and its not flying anymore.
My answer is simple. Either America dedicates itself to the proposition that every citizen deserves a job that pays a living wage, and allows government to become the employer of last resort, when necessary, or it becomes a European-style welfare state, in which the winners pay significantly higher levels of taxation to support the losers. Either will do.
47
Mr. Brooks, did you ever read 'The World in 2020: A vision of the Future'? The author, Hamish McRae, is a British economist, moderate and never an alarmist, he wrote the above in the mid-1990s, and he has a handle on the role America plays in our global outlook.
It is always of interest to hear what European friends have to add to our State of Affairs, and an English one, elderly and vivacious, living in Paris brought to my attention how civilized America is, 'Are We?' I replied, only to find out that she was speaking of The President.
America is not always good for this one. I was born neurotic, and the recent turmoil in our politics has thrown me for a loop. First, I am trying to learn how to 'think', it is one of the reasons I enjoy your columns.
Earlier, I tackled the matter of whether Burkinas should be worn on the beach in France, and came to the conclusion that one of the reasons that America is great, more people are coming our way to the Capital Cities, is one is allowed to wear whatever garb suits them, without getting clocked.
Isolated in the countryside not far from the big City, I am looking with awe at the garden, feeling fortunate, about to give a warm welcome to a friend from MD. Her daughter is going to college, I want them to feel comfortable and at ease.
If manners go out the window, the violence increases, we sit around in despair, well, 'such is the woof and warf of our timeless existence'. America is great. Let us make it even better.
It is always of interest to hear what European friends have to add to our State of Affairs, and an English one, elderly and vivacious, living in Paris brought to my attention how civilized America is, 'Are We?' I replied, only to find out that she was speaking of The President.
America is not always good for this one. I was born neurotic, and the recent turmoil in our politics has thrown me for a loop. First, I am trying to learn how to 'think', it is one of the reasons I enjoy your columns.
Earlier, I tackled the matter of whether Burkinas should be worn on the beach in France, and came to the conclusion that one of the reasons that America is great, more people are coming our way to the Capital Cities, is one is allowed to wear whatever garb suits them, without getting clocked.
Isolated in the countryside not far from the big City, I am looking with awe at the garden, feeling fortunate, about to give a warm welcome to a friend from MD. Her daughter is going to college, I want them to feel comfortable and at ease.
If manners go out the window, the violence increases, we sit around in despair, well, 'such is the woof and warf of our timeless existence'. America is great. Let us make it even better.
8
I can not understand why we make heroes out of people just because they can run faster or jump higher than other people when there are animals out there who can outperform any of these athletes. We do this celebrating while our standing in the world's education ranking continues to sink. Perhaps we should have an Olympics where people would compete in mathematics, history, philosophy, theology and so forth. The human mind is what separates us from all other animals and it deserves greater emphasis than the body.
23
We make heroes out of them because of the tremendous work and effort they put into getting to and competing at the Olympics. We should also admire and make heroes of people in academic areas - ever heard of the Nobel Prize?
7
I hope our country is better than the likes of those 4 swimmers (Lochte and company). But then, probably not. Those swimmers reflect Trump and his bully values. Those swimmers represent the entitled, selfish, playboy, privileged, wealthy white male mentality. And that reflects corporate greed at its best. Which reflects on at least some of the values (the ones that seem to count) of this country.
I realize there are many people in the US that give a lot of themselves to help others, just as there are Olympians that work hard, but those are not the values that seem to count in this country. And that is what is meant when people say our country is in "terminal decline".
I realize there are many people in the US that give a lot of themselves to help others, just as there are Olympians that work hard, but those are not the values that seem to count in this country. And that is what is meant when people say our country is in "terminal decline".
23
I never had a problem with America, Mr. Brooks. I have a problem with some Americans.
For instance you write the following: "The American dollar is by far the world’s currency. The Food and Drug Administration is the benchmark for medical standards. The American patent system is the most important in the world."
These are all things that our government facilitates, our much denigrated government as vilified by the patriotic right in this country.
Of course we dominate the world economically, but capitalism has benefited the very rich in this country for the past 20 years, while wages for 90% of the country have stagnated. Thankfully the GOP wants to cut taxes for the very rich, deregulate, and not raise taxes on the very rich, even though taxes were so much higher when America was great, according to their GOP presidential candidate.
As far as your comment, "Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt," please explain how the Republicans are helping those who are hurt?
What exactly is the GOP doing to help people? Be specific.
Finally, there is the canary in the coal mine, Mr. Brooks. And that canary's name is Donald Trump.
Our athletes have made me proud (except for a handful of American male swimmers). I'm embarrassed by Mr. Trump. I'm ashamed by him.
Mr. Trump is nowhere near as good as our athletes and he is a warning to all of his fellow Americans that something's not right.
For instance you write the following: "The American dollar is by far the world’s currency. The Food and Drug Administration is the benchmark for medical standards. The American patent system is the most important in the world."
These are all things that our government facilitates, our much denigrated government as vilified by the patriotic right in this country.
Of course we dominate the world economically, but capitalism has benefited the very rich in this country for the past 20 years, while wages for 90% of the country have stagnated. Thankfully the GOP wants to cut taxes for the very rich, deregulate, and not raise taxes on the very rich, even though taxes were so much higher when America was great, according to their GOP presidential candidate.
As far as your comment, "Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt," please explain how the Republicans are helping those who are hurt?
What exactly is the GOP doing to help people? Be specific.
Finally, there is the canary in the coal mine, Mr. Brooks. And that canary's name is Donald Trump.
Our athletes have made me proud (except for a handful of American male swimmers). I'm embarrassed by Mr. Trump. I'm ashamed by him.
Mr. Trump is nowhere near as good as our athletes and he is a warning to all of his fellow Americans that something's not right.
189
Mr. Trump is the standard bearer of a party you just hailed not merely as good but grand.
So I don't understand the complaint. Embrace the grand or don't. Your choice!
So I don't understand the complaint. Embrace the grand or don't. Your choice!
If Trump tells anyone he's going to raise taxes on the rich, the Republicans wouldn't elect him dog catcher.
The sun will come up tomorrow, the tide will come in and out, Republicans will want lower taxes on themselves.
The sun will come up tomorrow, the tide will come in and out, Republicans will want lower taxes on themselves.
1
I know that many commenters will complain that Brooks is missing the point, is overlooking all that is wrong. But I think that it is worth stopping occasionally and remembering everything that is working and going right. In the same way that an individual should stop and consider what is going right in his/her life instead of just focusing on the problems. Too much doom and gloom is as wrong as too much rose colored optimism.
2
I agree with the idea we are an innovative country that constantly reinvents itself! We don't need to be pessimistic. However on so called free trade I strongly disagree. We have enormous trade deficits with most of our trading partners and many of them like China are strongly protectionist while we are not. These deals have resulted in millions of jobs lost, replaced by inferior service industry jobs. So we can be optimistic but we also need to have intelligent trade policies that enrich more than the very few.
4
Totally agree with your assessment. America is already great! Of course, we cannot rest on our laurels, but acting like the country is a mess is not a good strategy for the common good. Sure we need to be honest about our challenges, but characterizing ever blip as a crisis is eroding our national confidence. People are undermining our self-confidence for political advantage, and the media are enablers. That is why Trump is able to dominate the headlines every time he lets loose with some unsubstantiated volley of hatred and bullying. Our country is truly great, our governance not so much.
7
Potemkin village/nation of situational greatness that has run its course and now the underlying character of the unexceptional and reactionary asserts its true color(s).
3
One of the best one sentence comments I have ever read.
2
As long as the Buck remains almighty, we can fail at many things but still, buy or produce enough success to attract the world's most talented
people. This continues that evolution.
Unfortunately, we also attract the world's most unscrupulous people, though we already have enough of those types, and a great dichotomy emerges. Haves, have-nots, people that have a little more than they should and folks that wind up with a little less.
Isn't that why papers sell, politics, laws become important, but they can fail, too. To my mind, proof of this divergence of merit and success, of the awkwardness of how our politics and laws sometimes manifest themselves is the rise of a certain man running for president! But a really fast kid can be recognized early on, by his HS coach, get support and win an olympic medal!
people. This continues that evolution.
Unfortunately, we also attract the world's most unscrupulous people, though we already have enough of those types, and a great dichotomy emerges. Haves, have-nots, people that have a little more than they should and folks that wind up with a little less.
Isn't that why papers sell, politics, laws become important, but they can fail, too. To my mind, proof of this divergence of merit and success, of the awkwardness of how our politics and laws sometimes manifest themselves is the rise of a certain man running for president! But a really fast kid can be recognized early on, by his HS coach, get support and win an olympic medal!
2
Is thus Europe three times better than the US?
If you are in a silly mood - counting medals you must think so -
-(as another commenter has noticed that the European countries currently easily are the 'yuuuge winner')
And by the way - Switzerland isn't the most competitive country in Sports -(but in economics) - which proves the point to NOT confuse 'priorities'.
If you are in a silly mood - counting medals you must think so -
-(as another commenter has noticed that the European countries currently easily are the 'yuuuge winner')
And by the way - Switzerland isn't the most competitive country in Sports -(but in economics) - which proves the point to NOT confuse 'priorities'.
3
As an indicator of national health the Olympics are a not relevant. They demonstrate the ability to develop individual talent on a small scale, but don't show us anything about developing our talent writ large.
Olympic athletes inspire.
The idea that we have allowed our representatives to be so dull, so ignorant, so partisan, so myopic, so ingrained in oligarchic actions, so truly uninspiring, that we have people question the value of democracy, is truly depressing. Democracy takes tending: if we don't get rid of the weeds we choke the valuable growth.
We haven't been getting rid of the weeds, and people suffer from that. We lost sight of the people who have been laid off in their 40s and 50s because they worked for a business that was profitable, but not profitable enough. We lost sight of people who have to spend their retirement on medical costs or college. We lost sight of people who hand down to their children a life with lower expectations.
We have all the assets to be the very best - but not the leadership with the desire to pursue that, or voters who demand it.
Olympic athletes show us the value of desiring excellence. Can we find leaders like that?
Olympic athletes inspire.
The idea that we have allowed our representatives to be so dull, so ignorant, so partisan, so myopic, so ingrained in oligarchic actions, so truly uninspiring, that we have people question the value of democracy, is truly depressing. Democracy takes tending: if we don't get rid of the weeds we choke the valuable growth.
We haven't been getting rid of the weeds, and people suffer from that. We lost sight of the people who have been laid off in their 40s and 50s because they worked for a business that was profitable, but not profitable enough. We lost sight of people who have to spend their retirement on medical costs or college. We lost sight of people who hand down to their children a life with lower expectations.
We have all the assets to be the very best - but not the leadership with the desire to pursue that, or voters who demand it.
Olympic athletes show us the value of desiring excellence. Can we find leaders like that?
2
I think the success in the Olympics does reflect our country's strengths... and weaknesses. The increase in the performance of extraordinarily talented athletes mirrors the performance of extraordinarily talented individuals who are earning extraordinary incomes and accumulating extraordinary wealth. In the meantime, as the CDC recently reported, we are experiencing an overall decline in life expectancy in this country. Something is amiss when a small percentage of those at the VERY top are excelling at extraordinary levels while everyone else is experiencing decline.
2
I just realized why Trump is such a fan of Putin - same MO. Putin, in part, maintains popularity and power by stirring resentment. The Russian people have been inoculated with the belief that they are victims; that the rest of the world is against them; and that their former greatness was taken from them unfairly by those "others."
That is, in different words, but the same tone, the picture Trump paints, i.e., others are out to get us; we are being deprived of what is rightfully ours; we have lost our greatness unfairly; and the answer is to honker down, close our borders, keep out the "others," and distrust the rest of the world (our "allies" are, in the world according to Trump, people who do not pay their fair share and will have to pay up if they want help or support from us).
Both men preach resentment based in xenophobia; nationalism with an ethnocentric and/or racist core; and an imagined past and future (but not present) greatness based in alienation and dominance.
That is, in different words, but the same tone, the picture Trump paints, i.e., others are out to get us; we are being deprived of what is rightfully ours; we have lost our greatness unfairly; and the answer is to honker down, close our borders, keep out the "others," and distrust the rest of the world (our "allies" are, in the world according to Trump, people who do not pay their fair share and will have to pay up if they want help or support from us).
Both men preach resentment based in xenophobia; nationalism with an ethnocentric and/or racist core; and an imagined past and future (but not present) greatness based in alienation and dominance.
20
The U.S may lead the world in many categories but its score with some of our athletes peoples skills (and the treatment of those people) skills is quite low.
3
I am in complete agreement that we cannot be full of fear and pessimism. As Mr. Brooks pointed out, the United States has plenty of greatness. The TV media needs to make sure it reports these greats things, not just what the Presidential candidates say is poor. We hear constantly on TV about what the presidential candidates say and not the actual facts. Voters need to do their research, although most will not. They will make judgments based the fear that the presidential candidates, particularly Trump, pushed.
As for the Olympic athletes, while we do have some great training systems, as the media has highlighted in the famous case of women's gymnastics, the US also has a large population base that values sport. Watch any little league game and you will see that sometimes the US values sport a little too much.
As for the Olympic athletes, while we do have some great training systems, as the media has highlighted in the famous case of women's gymnastics, the US also has a large population base that values sport. Watch any little league game and you will see that sometimes the US values sport a little too much.
34
I would agree with your points, except I would say that sometimes the US values *competition* a little too much. I see nothing wrong with valuing athletic endeavors - they keep young people engaged in worthwhile physical activity, and the health benefits - including emotional well-being - are well-established. Hyper-competitiveness that is the hallmark of little league and other organized sports, however, can be dangerous and can encourage an attitude of winning at all costs.
"Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt ' now all Mr. Brooks has to do is to convince his Presidential candidate, and his wider party to think in a likewise fashion.
6
If you are upset about the negative attitude towards trade, you should direct your criticism to the Republicans, who have repeatedly voted against adequate funding to support workers and communities that have been hurt by trade.
If, as many Democrats had anticipated when programs to mitigate pain were included to get their support in Congress, were adequately funded, we could have gained the benefits of trade agreements strengthening our exports and alliances (and if negotiated with labor and environmental protection, spread positive results) while preventing the damage wrought by profiteers moving jobs overseas: trade would not have become such a hated concept.
Many communities and individuals still are suffering, and could be helped by targeted investments if Republicans who cut budgets cared about them as anything other than voters with anger to be manipulated.
If, as many Democrats had anticipated when programs to mitigate pain were included to get their support in Congress, were adequately funded, we could have gained the benefits of trade agreements strengthening our exports and alliances (and if negotiated with labor and environmental protection, spread positive results) while preventing the damage wrought by profiteers moving jobs overseas: trade would not have become such a hated concept.
Many communities and individuals still are suffering, and could be helped by targeted investments if Republicans who cut budgets cared about them as anything other than voters with anger to be manipulated.
11
As an immigrant who kisses the USA soil upon return from foreign lands i cringe at the "Make America Great AGAIN" slogan. This country already IS and will ALWAYS be GREAT!
11
"And the winners have such amazingly American stories and personality types (Biles, Ledecky, and, yes, Lochte)."
So Lochte, who appears to be a liar, is an amazingly American story? But love that personality type!
If this is the evidence for optimism in America, give me pessimism any day.
So Lochte, who appears to be a liar, is an amazingly American story? But love that personality type!
If this is the evidence for optimism in America, give me pessimism any day.
3
It’s not a chicken-or-egg question: our athletes didn’t create America, it’s very much the other way around. So, the answer to the question clearly is that our country is at least as good as our athletes. Much of David’s ruminations today move us to that conclusion.
And it’s not surprising that an increasing proportion of Americans regard democracy as a questionable form of government: in a universal franchise that accords the same value to a vote made by an informed, engaged citizen who has given some thought to what being a citizen means as to someone who spends his life in a bar downing brews and giving no thought to such matters, one has to wonder how ANY society can survive and prosper that gives such weight to the socially-challenged. Our founders never dreamed of a truly universal franchise, and thought the matter absurd. It is: the kids largely are right on this one.
But David’s real message today is about trade. Among the elites of our country, it’s a given that some of our industries and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods must be “creatively destroyed”, or at least damaged, so that others might grow and prosper. Maybe they’re right. But in a universal franchise where those at the bottom of the heap have the loudest voice because there are so MANY of them, those who would flog truly free trade had better watch out for the perfectly natural and understandable efforts at self-defense by those whose lives are being creatively destroyed.
And it’s not surprising that an increasing proportion of Americans regard democracy as a questionable form of government: in a universal franchise that accords the same value to a vote made by an informed, engaged citizen who has given some thought to what being a citizen means as to someone who spends his life in a bar downing brews and giving no thought to such matters, one has to wonder how ANY society can survive and prosper that gives such weight to the socially-challenged. Our founders never dreamed of a truly universal franchise, and thought the matter absurd. It is: the kids largely are right on this one.
But David’s real message today is about trade. Among the elites of our country, it’s a given that some of our industries and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods must be “creatively destroyed”, or at least damaged, so that others might grow and prosper. Maybe they’re right. But in a universal franchise where those at the bottom of the heap have the loudest voice because there are so MANY of them, those who would flog truly free trade had better watch out for the perfectly natural and understandable efforts at self-defense by those whose lives are being creatively destroyed.
4
"Our founders never dreamed of a truly universal franchise, and thought the matter absurd. It is."
Of course it is, Mister Prosperous White Man.
Of course it is, Mister Prosperous White Man.
1
Lorem Ipsum:
It was inevitable that a responder would demonize a reasonable view held by our founders because many of them held other, far less defensible, views about excluding the franchise on the basis of race, gender and even economic status.
But my comment has nothing to do with "prosperity" or the fact that I'm white. It has to do with being informed and engaged -- qualities we find in our least "prosperous" as well as non-white fellow citizens, and that we can find conspicuously absent in our MOST prosperous, lily-white citizens.
You might want to consider getting a clue.
It was inevitable that a responder would demonize a reasonable view held by our founders because many of them held other, far less defensible, views about excluding the franchise on the basis of race, gender and even economic status.
But my comment has nothing to do with "prosperity" or the fact that I'm white. It has to do with being informed and engaged -- qualities we find in our least "prosperous" as well as non-white fellow citizens, and that we can find conspicuously absent in our MOST prosperous, lily-white citizens.
You might want to consider getting a clue.
1
I can truthfully say that in all the years that you, David, have been a columnist here at the Times this is the first article I have read that I agree with you on every point. Great work.
6
Politicians on both sides - although especially Republicans - peddle fear. It is a powerful emotion and more influential in most decision-making than cool rationality, analysis, or even hope, so these offending politicians are quite successful with it.
In fact, this is absolutely the best time, place, and living conditions in human history. In the US at least, we are the safest, most affluent, and have the highest living standards ever. We cry and moan about terrorism, crime, economic woes, and turmoil (because politicians and media tell us to, and we go along!), with the absolute least justification for it.
The only existential threat we face is climate change. We do need to work on that. And there are some spots in the world with such instability and dysfunction, that they could adversely affect us in years to come. But Americans have to stop exaggerating problems (which they do to themselves!), and get on with rational, determined, progressive action.
Finally, Brooks makes a small contribution!
In fact, this is absolutely the best time, place, and living conditions in human history. In the US at least, we are the safest, most affluent, and have the highest living standards ever. We cry and moan about terrorism, crime, economic woes, and turmoil (because politicians and media tell us to, and we go along!), with the absolute least justification for it.
The only existential threat we face is climate change. We do need to work on that. And there are some spots in the world with such instability and dysfunction, that they could adversely affect us in years to come. But Americans have to stop exaggerating problems (which they do to themselves!), and get on with rational, determined, progressive action.
Finally, Brooks makes a small contribution!
2
Unfortunately on a per capita basis we have been more responsible for human caused climate change than any country. Nothing can make up for that.
13
Is the European Union as bad as their athletes? Currently stand at (not counting the Brexiters) about twice as many medals as the USA.
9
Brooks writes another misty rumination. He says "Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt...." but fails to explain why and how.
For the GOP, the elimination of every form of federal help remains the final solution: no Social Security, no Medicare, let alone Obamacare, and no unemployment insurance.
Brooks is playing a rhetorical game. There is no suggestion that he won't vote for party line GOP. Why would he vote against his real interests?
For the GOP, the elimination of every form of federal help remains the final solution: no Social Security, no Medicare, let alone Obamacare, and no unemployment insurance.
Brooks is playing a rhetorical game. There is no suggestion that he won't vote for party line GOP. Why would he vote against his real interests?
18
"The share of Americans who say that democracy is a “fairly bad” or “very bad” system of government is rising sharply."
"...the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
David, you make the case that America is great and competitive because of economic, technological and social media dominance, but while America has much to celebrate there is a legitimate fact that feeds a growing pessimism. Our collective failure to value education and its offspring, knowledge.
Democracy, a "fairly bad" or "very bad" system of government? That is a "stupid" and "fearful" belief that is the direct result of a poor education and lack of knowledge. Yes, our government is in gridlock, failing to meet our needs; and why is that? Because we have a political party that undermines knowledge, disrespects education, cultivates stupidity. The Republican Party, not just Trump, likes the poorly educated.
When only a fraction of eligible voters vote, we have failed to educate our citizens of their responsibility in making a democracy work. When a large segment of our country supports Trump because they are angry over our failed government, we have failed to educate citizens to discern facts, analyze, reason and reach logical conclusions. Voting for Republicans disrespects education, devalues knowledge.
Our future lies with an educated citizenry. If we want to continue to be great and competitive, we need to value education.
"...the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
David, you make the case that America is great and competitive because of economic, technological and social media dominance, but while America has much to celebrate there is a legitimate fact that feeds a growing pessimism. Our collective failure to value education and its offspring, knowledge.
Democracy, a "fairly bad" or "very bad" system of government? That is a "stupid" and "fearful" belief that is the direct result of a poor education and lack of knowledge. Yes, our government is in gridlock, failing to meet our needs; and why is that? Because we have a political party that undermines knowledge, disrespects education, cultivates stupidity. The Republican Party, not just Trump, likes the poorly educated.
When only a fraction of eligible voters vote, we have failed to educate our citizens of their responsibility in making a democracy work. When a large segment of our country supports Trump because they are angry over our failed government, we have failed to educate citizens to discern facts, analyze, reason and reach logical conclusions. Voting for Republicans disrespects education, devalues knowledge.
Our future lies with an educated citizenry. If we want to continue to be great and competitive, we need to value education.
17
May I suggest a last paragraph...?
"...and if WE Americans choose, we can create a new cabinet level department, The Department of Peace and fund it with the millions that can be eviscerated from the Department of Defense.
And WE Americans can begin to help countries like Syria which are consumed with conflicts we seem unable to understand. So, rather walk into a "war arena" with planes and bombs that kill and maim, why not help the everyday citizens of Syria with fresh food and water, medicine and shelter?
Why not abandon the geo-political ramifications of Middle-East regional stability and focus instead on the reducing the misery of so many people, especially children? If the Syrians and Bassad want the Russian presence in their country then let them have it!!! Stop the killing and suffering!
THINK about it all you 60's plus peace niks! Imagine a world where countries align with the concept of "Departments of Peace" and begin to use peace, grace, help... instead of war planes, bombs and "collateral damage"...
Why does the US NOT have a Department of Peace? Seriously! Why not? We are missing an opportunity to lead, to help and to nurture the well being of millions of people...
All foreign aide can be channeled through a "Department of Peace" and we can save billions by ratcheting down defense spending... Other countries WILL follow...
Shall we do something?
"...and if WE Americans choose, we can create a new cabinet level department, The Department of Peace and fund it with the millions that can be eviscerated from the Department of Defense.
And WE Americans can begin to help countries like Syria which are consumed with conflicts we seem unable to understand. So, rather walk into a "war arena" with planes and bombs that kill and maim, why not help the everyday citizens of Syria with fresh food and water, medicine and shelter?
Why not abandon the geo-political ramifications of Middle-East regional stability and focus instead on the reducing the misery of so many people, especially children? If the Syrians and Bassad want the Russian presence in their country then let them have it!!! Stop the killing and suffering!
THINK about it all you 60's plus peace niks! Imagine a world where countries align with the concept of "Departments of Peace" and begin to use peace, grace, help... instead of war planes, bombs and "collateral damage"...
Why does the US NOT have a Department of Peace? Seriously! Why not? We are missing an opportunity to lead, to help and to nurture the well being of millions of people...
All foreign aide can be channeled through a "Department of Peace" and we can save billions by ratcheting down defense spending... Other countries WILL follow...
Shall we do something?
7
I quite agree with Brooks.
Our strong fundamentals and a strong sense of altruism combined with enterprise should not be forsaken. Especially those big companies who have thrived here should stay away from greed and focus should be on innovation and building a smart and strong human capital.
For those who want to see what forsaking any of our principles and adopting to greed, oligarchy and political mismanagement can do travel to India and China .
Our strong fundamentals and a strong sense of altruism combined with enterprise should not be forsaken. Especially those big companies who have thrived here should stay away from greed and focus should be on innovation and building a smart and strong human capital.
For those who want to see what forsaking any of our principles and adopting to greed, oligarchy and political mismanagement can do travel to India and China .
37
Greed and oligarchy?
Well Wall Street comes to mind
Well Wall Street comes to mind
You are wrong about India. There is a strong development of NGOs, a number of which are financed by wealthy Indian individuals and families, to better the lot of the general population. See the Barefoot College, the women's coop in Ahmendabad, Gujarat which owns its own factory making shirts for Arrow and underwear for Hanes and has its own bank run by women, and Shrujan in Bhujodi, among others. I have visited them all and their work is amazing.
2
It's been fun to read Timothy Egan's and David Brooks's columns this morning. Both reach for optimism. Egan is cheered by the prospect of so many "millennials" growing up to become progressive Democrats, while Brooks is heartened by Simone Biles and the rather weird assumption that America's success in the Olympics is somehow linked to its domination of the world economy.
Both have been inspired to reaffirm optimism by their dislike for Donald Trump and his loud, nasty, self-serving, inflammatory messages promoting national pessimism ... his portrait of America as a "loser" and his empty promise to make it a "winner."
I too distrust Mr. Trump ... with all my heart.
But we shouldn't forget that there is a lot of sadness (and hatred) brewing in this country, resulting from radical divisions between the rich and the poor, too many guns killing too many young men (homicides) in urban areas and older white men (suicides) in rural areas, torn safety nets, threatening healthcare costs, ongoing racism, misogyny ...
Somehow we have to keep optimism and pessimism together in our heads and look for ways to make this country more kind to its own.
Both have been inspired to reaffirm optimism by their dislike for Donald Trump and his loud, nasty, self-serving, inflammatory messages promoting national pessimism ... his portrait of America as a "loser" and his empty promise to make it a "winner."
I too distrust Mr. Trump ... with all my heart.
But we shouldn't forget that there is a lot of sadness (and hatred) brewing in this country, resulting from radical divisions between the rich and the poor, too many guns killing too many young men (homicides) in urban areas and older white men (suicides) in rural areas, torn safety nets, threatening healthcare costs, ongoing racism, misogyny ...
Somehow we have to keep optimism and pessimism together in our heads and look for ways to make this country more kind to its own.
35
When in conversation you share with people that US manufacturers are the largest of any nation, they don't believe it. That is the shame of it all. Our growth depends on being an actor on the world stage. That is realized through trade.
7
The metaphor of the US is still as strong as it's athletes have shown and to some degree just as dishonest. Now the metaphor is even more accurate than ever with the Lochte scandal of vandalism and lying.
2
Yes, it is a great nation.
If you question that, you are free to move to Brazil Mr. Brooks
If you question that, you are free to move to Brazil Mr. Brooks
2
It's interesting how many of the institutions lauded as world-leading by the conservative David Brooks are creatures of the federal government: the American dollar, the Food and Drug Administration, the American patent system, and international trade treaties. He could also have mentioned the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States armed forces, and the federal judiciary.
It is true that American enterprise is the envy of the world, but it is at least equally true that American government is the envy of the world. Post-Reagan Republicans have devoted themselves to the fever dream that "government is the problem," and now find themselves led by a man who trashes our government as "stupid" and "weak."
Anti-Trump conservatives like Brooks need to pull back from post-Reagan orthodoxy and spend some time appreciating the greatness of American governmental institutions. Or they can wait until Trump - or some successor to Trump - blows it all up.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
It is true that American enterprise is the envy of the world, but it is at least equally true that American government is the envy of the world. Post-Reagan Republicans have devoted themselves to the fever dream that "government is the problem," and now find themselves led by a man who trashes our government as "stupid" and "weak."
Anti-Trump conservatives like Brooks need to pull back from post-Reagan orthodoxy and spend some time appreciating the greatness of American governmental institutions. Or they can wait until Trump - or some successor to Trump - blows it all up.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
87
Let us not forget that the US has sent the largest contingency of athletes of any country participating in these "games." Therefore, it should not come as any surprise that we walk away with a sizeable number of medals. All this gold should not overshadow the many (countless) ways in which the US is far behind the rest of the world. We may have the healthiest athletes, but the country as a whole, not so much.
82
The idea of America "in decline" is the direct fault of right wingers who profit politically by saying so.
The reality is different. We have a great standard of living, we dominate the world culturally and economically, we have the strongest military, on and on. While there is work to be done, civil rights are expanding for minorities, women, gays and others -- greater rights equal greater freedom for them and all of us.
The right wingers are perpetual whiners. When they say the nation is in decline they either mean "for white people like me" or "we can't push other countries around like we want to." They are constantly, in their own minds, victimized by everyone else -- immigrants, bankers, the media, blah, blah, blah.
Think things are so horrible, guys? Go to Aleppo or the favelas of Rio and compare. Spoiled babies.
The reality is different. We have a great standard of living, we dominate the world culturally and economically, we have the strongest military, on and on. While there is work to be done, civil rights are expanding for minorities, women, gays and others -- greater rights equal greater freedom for them and all of us.
The right wingers are perpetual whiners. When they say the nation is in decline they either mean "for white people like me" or "we can't push other countries around like we want to." They are constantly, in their own minds, victimized by everyone else -- immigrants, bankers, the media, blah, blah, blah.
Think things are so horrible, guys? Go to Aleppo or the favelas of Rio and compare. Spoiled babies.
62
Or maybe the Bronx, Detroit, Newark, Camden and other choice places?
2
Of course. But do I have to include "we are not without problems and not everyone is doing well" or be accused of being a Pollyanna?
Inflation remains low. Unemployment is down. Crime is down. But all we hear from the bleating right is how terrible everything is. For cryin' out loud, the GOP candidate is running on fear.
When reality is that most of us in the USA live better than almost everyone, ever, on earth.
Inflation remains low. Unemployment is down. Crime is down. But all we hear from the bleating right is how terrible everything is. For cryin' out loud, the GOP candidate is running on fear.
When reality is that most of us in the USA live better than almost everyone, ever, on earth.
71
But we are not living anywhere else on Earth but in America.
The Republicans are selling nightmares and fears. While the Democrats are selling dreams and hopes.
They are both selling political bovine feces.
The Republicans are selling nightmares and fears. While the Democrats are selling dreams and hopes.
They are both selling political bovine feces.
2
What a ridiculous and smart-alecky title, Mr. Brooks.
[And unfortunately we're stocked with plenty of jingoistic Ryan Lochtes. They sing whenever the occasion arises.]
[And unfortunately we're stocked with plenty of jingoistic Ryan Lochtes. They sing whenever the occasion arises.]
5
The ultimate measure of a country is how its systems take care of its people. All the triumphs noted here begs the question of why is all this success and good fortune is so poorly distributed to the citizens of this incredibly wealthy country. And getting worse.
Why are countries like Sweden and Switzerland, with so few natural resources able to supply so much more to their citizens, per capita?
The rising resentments that create opportunity for a foolish demagogue like Trump are real, and while Americans should be proud of our historic accomplishments, high rates of child poverty, declining life expectancy of working class people, poor care of average senior citizens and obscene upward shifting of wealth are deserving of no gold medals.
Why are countries like Sweden and Switzerland, with so few natural resources able to supply so much more to their citizens, per capita?
The rising resentments that create opportunity for a foolish demagogue like Trump are real, and while Americans should be proud of our historic accomplishments, high rates of child poverty, declining life expectancy of working class people, poor care of average senior citizens and obscene upward shifting of wealth are deserving of no gold medals.
149
That is exactly what I was thinking! I think of the brave little buses that both deliver the mail and provide transportation to every little hamlet in Switzerland. The "passage clouté"--the marked pedestrian crossing zone that every citizen knows to walk within and every car knows to stop in front of. The sparkling streets and store fronts. The immaculate parks. The lovely pure food, even in the supermarkets! The trains that run on time, on rails that are maintained. The well-fed children. The healthy elders. Etc.
3
The Marshall Plan, a few hundred million citizens, and a trickle of immigrants. The comparison is tired and akin to comparing watermelons to lemons.
What a ridiculous romanticization of Europe! Try being a Syrian or African immigrant in those countries--if they even let you in. Then report back about how "great" they are.
1
"Pessimism has flavored this election campaign." You mean from the Trump campaign which sees America in decline, correct? Hopefully Republicans will read this column.
11
It takes an attitude of optimism to want to help and lift those around you who are struggling. It takes confidence and inner strength to share your wealth, your abundance, with others, confidence and faith that there will be enough for everyone.
Democrats represent that kind of optimism and strength.
It seems the opposite of all that would be hoarding wealth, excluding people, lashing out, threatening, insulting, ridiculing, forcing your will rather than let things happen naturally. Who does that sound like to you?
Democrats represent that kind of optimism and strength.
It seems the opposite of all that would be hoarding wealth, excluding people, lashing out, threatening, insulting, ridiculing, forcing your will rather than let things happen naturally. Who does that sound like to you?
24
What is an American personality type?
2
Mr. Brooks tosses away TPP criticism because "people ... have no clue what's in it". Well, if a complex 5000+ page international treaty had been negotiated more transparently with its full text released to the public BEFORE Obama stated his intentions to sign it perhaps people would be a bit less skeptical.
8
The White House may send you a one-to-two page email Bulletin on why America and the World at large would benefit from the TPP. If I can understand it, so can you with due respect.
2
Yes, this country is already great and we have some of the best athletes of the world.
Then we also have some Ryan Lochtes.
Then we also have some Ryan Lochtes.
16
There will always be 'Ryan Lochtes'. Call it of Angels and Demons if you will, you reminded me of the American marines on vacation in France, averting a crippling terrorist attack on a train.
"The median age in the U.S. is 37.8, compared with 46.5 for both German and Japan." And a lot of those young people are immigrants or the children of immigrants, immigrants of every nation, color, race, religion, etc.
The Trump campaign has become the joke and laughingstock of the nation...literally. Now in my e-mails I get cartoons and restaurant signs and pictures of nude statues about Trump. His pronouncements become wilder and more absurd. Clinton allegedly is unstable, mentally ill or defective! Obama founded ISIL! The nation isn't great!
Yet I watch the Olympics and cheer all those who keep winning medals, people who should be acclaimed and who bring status to our nation, who represent the fact that our nation - its peoples, its youth - indeed are great.
Brooks makes a good point, a vivid contrast to Trump, the national cynic of a Presidential campaign.
The Trump campaign has become the joke and laughingstock of the nation...literally. Now in my e-mails I get cartoons and restaurant signs and pictures of nude statues about Trump. His pronouncements become wilder and more absurd. Clinton allegedly is unstable, mentally ill or defective! Obama founded ISIL! The nation isn't great!
Yet I watch the Olympics and cheer all those who keep winning medals, people who should be acclaimed and who bring status to our nation, who represent the fact that our nation - its peoples, its youth - indeed are great.
Brooks makes a good point, a vivid contrast to Trump, the national cynic of a Presidential campaign.
13
David makes a case that America is not, in fact, a mess. But I wish he would have spent a little bit of time on why there is a subtext of America as a failure and a mess. In fact, this narrative is the product of decades of conservative propaganda; propaganda that, for example, looked at the decline of cities that occurred after the 1960s and blamed it all on Democratic policies, rather than on the reality of the white middle class moving out to that suburbs that opened up from 1946-1970. Even the “failure” of America’s schools is largely a misunderstanding. Yes, our urban schools are a mess and for the same reasons as our cities (the swapping of a middle class population for poor folks). In fact, if you remove the urban poor and look at the numbers, you will see that our schools do ok (good in fact).
And since conservatives don’t really want to do anything at all (they just want to lower taxes) they don’t really need to test their ideas, nor change when they don’t work (trickle down economics).
And since conservatives don’t really want to do anything at all (they just want to lower taxes) they don’t really need to test their ideas, nor change when they don’t work (trickle down economics).
449
See "Losing Ground: The State of White America 1960-2010" Charles Murray and "Dog-Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class" Ian Haney Lopez
2
Looking at the US Olympic team, especially in gymnastics and basketball, you see Americans in great variation. That's what makes them great. That's also what makes the United States of America great. However, a Trump, and in fact a Republican party, does not want to acknowledge that fact, they want to stop that march to greatness in their tracks, because they feel threatened by it. Real America (a term invented not by Trump, remember!) isn't winning in the Olympics, just as it won't be winning this year at the ballot box. But teams of great variety are, and remember, they don't do it on their own. Resentment of otherness (isn't that the basis of top sports?) is the core of Trump's support. There is only one political party that embraces the real winning America, and it's not yours. Yes, let the actual America be truly great!
9
This sounds like a propaganda piece for the Old Soviet Union. Trying to attach National standing on issues like Freedom, Equity and Fairness to the performance of a group of Athletes. This is plain silly, and surely went the way of the demise of the Soviet Union.
(1) The US Dollar is THE reserve currency of the world for historical reasons connected with the size of the Economy and with the deliberate pricing of Oil in Dollars. It is more to do with American Power than with American Probity.
(2) The Food and Drug Administration is the benchmark for medical standards. It is not! It is in many respects an institution reflecting the worst effects of Regulatory Capture and revolving door cronyism;
(3) “The American patent system is the most important in the world.” Really? Well it would be wouldn’t it? America is the largest Economy and (used to) be able to exercise Might is Right. Again this attribute, if true, is more to do with American Power than with American Probity.
(1) The US Dollar is THE reserve currency of the world for historical reasons connected with the size of the Economy and with the deliberate pricing of Oil in Dollars. It is more to do with American Power than with American Probity.
(2) The Food and Drug Administration is the benchmark for medical standards. It is not! It is in many respects an institution reflecting the worst effects of Regulatory Capture and revolving door cronyism;
(3) “The American patent system is the most important in the world.” Really? Well it would be wouldn’t it? America is the largest Economy and (used to) be able to exercise Might is Right. Again this attribute, if true, is more to do with American Power than with American Probity.
7
David Brooks attempts to restore balance to America and Democracy, and none of the writers of the Times are into 'Propaganda'.
1
" you see that America’s institutions are generally quite strong." -- such as?
4
Mr. Brooks writes:
"Moreover, America doesn’t win because we have better athletes (talent must be distributed equally)."
Why do people say things like this when all the evidence of our eyes from watching the Olympics is that talent is not distributed equally? Jamaica has seven medals in the sprints, while all of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) so far has only one bronze in any sport. Yet, South Asia has about 500 times more people than Jamaica.
Do pundits feel particularly compelled to testify to their faith in anti-empirical egalitarianism during the Olympics when the evidence of human biodiversity is so obvious?
"Moreover, America doesn’t win because we have better athletes (talent must be distributed equally)."
Why do people say things like this when all the evidence of our eyes from watching the Olympics is that talent is not distributed equally? Jamaica has seven medals in the sprints, while all of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) so far has only one bronze in any sport. Yet, South Asia has about 500 times more people than Jamaica.
Do pundits feel particularly compelled to testify to their faith in anti-empirical egalitarianism during the Olympics when the evidence of human biodiversity is so obvious?
12
Jamaica has seven medals in the sprints,
jamaica is noted for its high quality coffee and marijuana
coincidence ?
i think not
jamaica is noted for its high quality coffee and marijuana
coincidence ?
i think not
9
What a pity both Brooks and Egan today take the Olympics as a sign that America is a winning country--the Olympics, another celebration of materialism and "winning" at all costs. What a low bar to set! Too many are stuck in the Cold War era and treat the Olympics as another proxy war.
Simone Biles is rightly honored for her grace and skills, but just how American is it that before she won her final tally of medals she was already on TV advertising Hershey's chocolate? Indeed, that's the American way! In addition Egan tells us the American basket-ball team is "crushing it." What a distortion of the Olympic ideal! Who is crushing what? Multimillionaires competing for what? More corporate sponsorship and personal contracts for advertising garbage? If this is what constitutes winning, we're in trouble. The winners are the TV channels who paid for the rights to telecast the "sports," and thereby to rake in advertising revenues.
Brooks needs to admit that the strongest American institution is love of the dollar. If that is his highest aim, he really belongs in the GOP.
Simone Biles is rightly honored for her grace and skills, but just how American is it that before she won her final tally of medals she was already on TV advertising Hershey's chocolate? Indeed, that's the American way! In addition Egan tells us the American basket-ball team is "crushing it." What a distortion of the Olympic ideal! Who is crushing what? Multimillionaires competing for what? More corporate sponsorship and personal contracts for advertising garbage? If this is what constitutes winning, we're in trouble. The winners are the TV channels who paid for the rights to telecast the "sports," and thereby to rake in advertising revenues.
Brooks needs to admit that the strongest American institution is love of the dollar. If that is his highest aim, he really belongs in the GOP.
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"Brooks needs to admit that the strongest American institution is love of the dollar."
It's a close call, but I think sex ranks even higher.
It's a close call, but I think sex ranks even higher.
3
DB IS the GOP with a sugar coating of philosophy to make the bitter medicine of the increasing income inequality go down.
6
"The winners are the TV channels who paid for the rights to telecast the "sports," and thereby to rake in advertising revenues."
Well, they aren't selling us anything, nor will we sit through the endlessly inane fluff coverage that precedes and follows every US "victory". We spent quite a bit of time in Canada a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed watching the 2010 games on Canadian TV. If there were 120 racers in the slalom, we saw 120 racers, not just the winners, contender crash-outs, and Canadians, and the ad loads were a fraction of what we get here.
US television coverage of international sports has long been execrable in its arrogant slicing and dicing of event segments and boatloads of fluff filler. US technical quality is superb, with innovative camera angles, super slo-mo and all, but program direction is awful. The action is often a joy to watch, but sitting through the whole live show is a tedious slog.
We're saving a lot of time and watching a lot more action this year.
The DVR: best invention in media history?
Well, they aren't selling us anything, nor will we sit through the endlessly inane fluff coverage that precedes and follows every US "victory". We spent quite a bit of time in Canada a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed watching the 2010 games on Canadian TV. If there were 120 racers in the slalom, we saw 120 racers, not just the winners, contender crash-outs, and Canadians, and the ad loads were a fraction of what we get here.
US television coverage of international sports has long been execrable in its arrogant slicing and dicing of event segments and boatloads of fluff filler. US technical quality is superb, with innovative camera angles, super slo-mo and all, but program direction is awful. The action is often a joy to watch, but sitting through the whole live show is a tedious slog.
We're saving a lot of time and watching a lot more action this year.
The DVR: best invention in media history?
3
What vapid nonsense this essay.
Comparing the "goodness" of the USA to a pack of jocks is ridiculous. Olympic athletes compete in one of the world's most lopsided, contrived events possible and many are sponsored by corporations, coddled and catered-to by the media and are basically an elite class unto themselves.
Also, Mr. Brooks, which political party is currently using one of the most "pessimistic" slogans imaginable? Make America Great Again???? And if you feel humiliation because of Iraq, guess which political leadership got us into that mess?
Sometimes I think that you believe we're all stupid out here when you write such nonsense.
Comparing the "goodness" of the USA to a pack of jocks is ridiculous. Olympic athletes compete in one of the world's most lopsided, contrived events possible and many are sponsored by corporations, coddled and catered-to by the media and are basically an elite class unto themselves.
Also, Mr. Brooks, which political party is currently using one of the most "pessimistic" slogans imaginable? Make America Great Again???? And if you feel humiliation because of Iraq, guess which political leadership got us into that mess?
Sometimes I think that you believe we're all stupid out here when you write such nonsense.
122
Them what's got the gold makes the rules; DB, as he wields his sinecured essayist's pen, chuckles to know he can indeed judge those with lesser access fools.
1
In some ways, America resembles the proverbial elephant undergoing examination by a clutch of blind men. Mr. Brooks probes one part of the beast and reaches an optimistic conclusion about its condition. Mr. Blow focuses on an entirely different section of the animal's anatomy and discovers the prevalence of a racism that condemns a disproportionate percentage of one segment of the population to poverty and incarceration.
Mr. Egan, on the other hand, finds evidence that the youthful part of the population has shed many of the racist and homophobic attitudes that still bedevil their elders. Secretary Clinton, for her part, concludes that the elephant has recovered well from a recent severe illness but can improve even more through the ministrations of the right zookeeper, namely, herself.
Mr. Trump, the last of our blind experts, stumbles around, all the while shouting insults at his colleagues. He doesn't actually examine the elephant but nevertheless proclaims that the prior zookeepers have nearly killed the poor beast through their incompetence, or perhaps, their malice. Mr. Trump asserts that only he can restore the animal to health, but that he will do so only if the others grant him sole rights to the fees earned from an exhibition of the elephant to the public.
All of our investigators, except the last, have discovered a piece of a very complex truth about the elephant. But which one examined only the tail, and which studied the massive bulk, where the heart is?
Mr. Egan, on the other hand, finds evidence that the youthful part of the population has shed many of the racist and homophobic attitudes that still bedevil their elders. Secretary Clinton, for her part, concludes that the elephant has recovered well from a recent severe illness but can improve even more through the ministrations of the right zookeeper, namely, herself.
Mr. Trump, the last of our blind experts, stumbles around, all the while shouting insults at his colleagues. He doesn't actually examine the elephant but nevertheless proclaims that the prior zookeepers have nearly killed the poor beast through their incompetence, or perhaps, their malice. Mr. Trump asserts that only he can restore the animal to health, but that he will do so only if the others grant him sole rights to the fees earned from an exhibition of the elephant to the public.
All of our investigators, except the last, have discovered a piece of a very complex truth about the elephant. But which one examined only the tail, and which studied the massive bulk, where the heart is?
124
Love this, James Lee. Thank you.
4
Lord Brooks.
Of course the country is as good as our athletes. As we continue to shed conservatism we will only get better.
Inclusiveness not bigotry. Shared wealth vs horded wealth. Real marketplaces not quasi cartels. A hand up not the ladder being pulled up after you. Respect instead of intolerance. Need I go on?
Lord Brooks. America started out great. We are great now. We will only get greater still.
Twas true then and has been ever such. Worry not.
Of course the country is as good as our athletes. As we continue to shed conservatism we will only get better.
Inclusiveness not bigotry. Shared wealth vs horded wealth. Real marketplaces not quasi cartels. A hand up not the ladder being pulled up after you. Respect instead of intolerance. Need I go on?
Lord Brooks. America started out great. We are great now. We will only get greater still.
Twas true then and has been ever such. Worry not.
17
Did Brooks e-mail today's column in from the couch while watching the Olympics? Because similar to the Olympics, his piece today is light, frothy and facile. Adding to that, it comes off as a tad jingoistic - perhaps not on "making America great again" level of the Trump campaign, but definitely in the rah-rah mode of "Go USA" Olympic coverage.
Since column writing is a qualitative exercise and not a competitive one, on an Olympic scale of 1-10, today's column gets a 5.
Since column writing is a qualitative exercise and not a competitive one, on an Olympic scale of 1-10, today's column gets a 5.
4
That's a very generous five.
8
A 10 by Olympics standard, if one admits that Olympics thrives by selling itself as the simulation of war between nations.
"..the biggest threat now is unmerited pessimism itself, and the stupid and fearful choices that inevitably flow from it."
Right, David. So be brave, and outright endorse Mrs. Clinton as an imperfect but hardworking and sane candidate.
Right, David. So be brave, and outright endorse Mrs. Clinton as an imperfect but hardworking and sane candidate.
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Well, I'm glad to see that someone is optimistic about America!!! Judging by the majority of the comments that regularly get posted one would think that America is nothing but a sick bastion of racism, sexism, and corruption run by a mysterious cabal of nasty old oligarchs who out to fleece what's left of the middle class. If we can survive Ryan Lochte and Donald Trump we can survive anything.
7
"The big question is: Is the greatness of America’s sports institutions...masking national rot?" Glad you asked that question, Mr. Brooks, because the answer is a big, fat "yes!"
The Soviet Union has Comrade Vladimir Putin and we are seemingly in a rush to copy him by shoving an unprepared Donald Trump up on to the disgraced medal stand with him. Of course, Putin has the top spot, the gold, while Trump, were he to win would hold the bronze.
The silver, of course, would go to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who, outside of President Obama, runs this country. Our legal system is both deadlocked (4-4) and gridlocked. The Senate's Judiciary Committee fears McConnell who holds them in a Putin vise-like grip.
Our magnificent Olympic heritage is the result of inclusion, Mr. Brooks. Americans of both genders and every color have contributed to the envious international majesty that we claim as ours every four years. And, yes, the controversies that occasionally nudge athletic greatness out of the way for the brief moment (Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968 or Ryan Lochte just now) demonstrate both our singular and collective successes and failures.
But our politics define us on the global stage, Mr. Brooks. President Obama is respected--even beloved--in countries without count, but here, by his co-governing (!) bodies, he's held at arm's length as unworthy, shunned.
He is treated much like Shakespeare's unbidden guest who is "often welcomest when [he] is gone."
The Soviet Union has Comrade Vladimir Putin and we are seemingly in a rush to copy him by shoving an unprepared Donald Trump up on to the disgraced medal stand with him. Of course, Putin has the top spot, the gold, while Trump, were he to win would hold the bronze.
The silver, of course, would go to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who, outside of President Obama, runs this country. Our legal system is both deadlocked (4-4) and gridlocked. The Senate's Judiciary Committee fears McConnell who holds them in a Putin vise-like grip.
Our magnificent Olympic heritage is the result of inclusion, Mr. Brooks. Americans of both genders and every color have contributed to the envious international majesty that we claim as ours every four years. And, yes, the controversies that occasionally nudge athletic greatness out of the way for the brief moment (Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968 or Ryan Lochte just now) demonstrate both our singular and collective successes and failures.
But our politics define us on the global stage, Mr. Brooks. President Obama is respected--even beloved--in countries without count, but here, by his co-governing (!) bodies, he's held at arm's length as unworthy, shunned.
He is treated much like Shakespeare's unbidden guest who is "often welcomest when [he] is gone."
110
I know that you would not think so from the US Media but the Soviet Union collapsed on 1989. Vladimir Putin is President of an independent country called Russia.
15
Then, we, the always exceptional Americano's have a year when the Ryan Lochte of American politics captures the Presidential nomination of a major political party.
When a documented liar, serial bankruptee and grifter convinces a sizable minority of undereducated xenophobic racist voters, that only he can set them free.
When a documented liar, serial bankruptee and grifter convinces a sizable minority of undereducated xenophobic racist voters, that only he can set them free.
151
Unhinged sociopath persuades one third of the 'exceptional' unwashed masses that he is the messiah.
You nail it in two sentences. I wish I could do that.
You nail it in two sentences. I wish I could do that.
7
The misnomered conservative right wing of the Republican party began attacking the federal government on the presidential national stage with Barry Goldwater. While Nixon was clearly a moderate and a centrist, his national campaigns developed the "southern strategy" and finally Reagan based his successful campaign on outright attacks on the federal government.Bush one ran a nasty campaign, was a centrist, but was defeated in his second term run by his party's right wing reactionaries-- like Newt and Pat. It used to be that we Americans viewed our national government with respect-- our government "got big things done." A national highway system, electrification, public schools, man on the moon-- harnessing the power of our federal institutions, we built, we innovated. Righting wrongs through federal laws like public accommodations, voting rights, and school integration --- most Americans were proud of these accomplishments. Yet drop by drop, the reactionaries, the bigots, the right wing media with the help of the national Republican party has made nearly half the nation sour on the very government that was at one time the inspiration for aspiring international democracies. Now the Republican party provides our nation with the best face and talent it can produce to lead our nation-- and he represents nearly half of our country's citizens who have been educated to hate our national government by the "party of Lincoln."
436
Their putting of party before country betrays their oath of office. Their actions to cause harm to this nation are, dare I say, traitorous.
When a politicians like the Republican candidate for the Vice Presidency, who is a Governor of a state, identifies himself first by his religion, second by his ideology, and 3rd by his party, leaving out his state and his country, we can see what the Republicans have come to. When the Speaker of the House, by God, states his party's candidate is saying terrible things but will support him because he is a Republican, then there is no honor among thieves like the Republicans in Congress. For the sake of our country, our democracy and our people, we have to vote these bums out.
When a politicians like the Republican candidate for the Vice Presidency, who is a Governor of a state, identifies himself first by his religion, second by his ideology, and 3rd by his party, leaving out his state and his country, we can see what the Republicans have come to. When the Speaker of the House, by God, states his party's candidate is saying terrible things but will support him because he is a Republican, then there is no honor among thieves like the Republicans in Congress. For the sake of our country, our democracy and our people, we have to vote these bums out.
9
David Brooks says, "Of course, we have to take care of those who are hurt..." Haven't seen any proposals for doing that. Am I missing something?
236
The pessimism expressed by Americans could be largely and quickly remedied by the election of a Congress that recognised the primacy of Keynesian economics.
205