No longer the leader

Apparently the era of America as the leader of the free world is coming to an end. We can’t lead from behind.

Remember the days when we were innovative, courageous, adventurous— when our government gloried in huge challenges? We joined the oceans with the Panama Canal. We built a great Boulder Dam to irrigate five states. We sent a man to the moon.

All the projects were expensive, even dangerous. But later they more than returned their expense in inventions and jobs—and in pride.

Now our president should be standing solemnly before us, pledging America to the greatest challenge yet—saving our planet. So why isn’t he?

We are caught in a dinosaur time warp. There is a very influential group of rich old men who have made a good thing for themselves in the coal and oil industries. They see no reason to support change (except maybe a tax break). And they do provide jobs.

Our president is either scientifically illiterate, is beholden to these rich old men, or is just spitefully determined to undo everything his predecessor achieved. In spite of the lessons of Vietnam and Iraq, it seems he thinks leadership depends on the size of our army. We cannot look to him for vision.

Of course new discoveries will be made in the search for new energy. And Americans will make some of them. But I believe our nation will not go down in the history books as leading the way. It will be America last.

BARBARA TRUESDELL

Hot Springs Village