From a shining city on a hill, to a dumpster fire.

 IS AMERICA STILL RESPECTED AND ADMIRED?

DO AMERICANS UNDERSTAND HOW WE APPEAR TO THE WORLD?

This phrase "a shining city on a hill" originated as a verse in the new testament and has been used by ministers and politicians to describe the United States as an example to the rest of the world. Is America still admired and respected or have we descended into believing we can influence the world not by our example, but by power, money and the threat of retaliation?

At one time the U.S. dollar was described as "good as gold". The maleficence of the political class has debased the currency that is continually declining in value. The standard now is that it is still better than other fiat currencies, not a real impressive standard.

The United States at one time had the most fair justice system in the world, it could be contrasted to the extreme politicization of many other countries, today we see the daily examples of a duel system of justice that has more to do with political objectives than the rule of law.

At one time we had a media that was the watchdog of the political class, but now it is just a propaganda arm that either ignores the truth or broadcasts disinformation for political purposes. Not much difference from authoritarian countries of the past.

We were the shining example of a country were there was unlimited opportunity with little interference from the state. We have become a bureaucratic administrative state with massive regulation and roadblocks to business success. We have watched as our own companies have fled the country for more opportunity abroad. 

An objective foreign observer, Alexis de Tocqueville made the famous statement that "America is great, because it is good". We all seem to continue to believe that this country is always the good guy, but we have increasingly broken our word to friends and adversaries and replaced fairness and justice with force and intimidation. Reagan was trusted, while engaged in tough negotiations with our adversaries, in the last 30 years we have repeatedly reneged on promises to both allies and adversaries.

At one time we had the 10 commandments displayed in all our courthouses, now that is considered an affront and many lawyers and prosecutors no longer seek justice but what can be manipulated out of the law. 

At no time was America a perfect country, as no one is a perfect person, but there was a goal to strive for perfection, rather than advantage. We have intentionally sought to replace religious belief with the state replacing religion as the arbitrator of what is good and what is evil, a constantly moving standard that has moved downhill in its effects on the country and society. Self restraint from the population is the only effective way to have a great country, not by government edict. We can bet that we are no longer a shining city on a hill by the objective opinion of many, as they watch America decline, morally, spiritually and economically as a positive influence on the rest of the world.