Letter: Myopic US system needs another modus operandi

David Johnson
Sunday 17 January 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

GEOFFREY WHEATCROFT searches for historical antecedents in order to explain the current political debacle in Washington ("America's in a mess because of its sublime constitution", 10 January).

An interesting perspective, but perhaps a little too complimentary. The current impeachment proceedings demonstrate the extent of contemporary America's degeneracy in domestic politics. This sordid episode, orchestrated largely by a venomous and vengeful right wing, illustrates how dangerously myopic, parochial and confrontational American politics is. Is the constitution there for the manipulation of all concerned? The United States is wilfully derelicting international responsibilities in favour of engaging in partisan politics lacking leadership or dignity.

Tragically, the US does not lick its wounds in isolation; rather it engages in random acts of extreme violence as America's pampered and generously- funded war machine lashes out at convenient pariahs of the system; Iraq at the moment, maybe Yugoslavia in the near future. The whole series smacks of hubris, possibly also terminal decline for an unworthy and somewhat pathological world leader.

DAVID JOHNSON

Stoke on Trent

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in