America Now, Then, and Now

This year has been one of extreme turbulence in the American political scene. Any pensions for moderation have been long lost. With fair cause, allegations of left-wing socialism and right-wing libertarianism are commonly, derisively exchanged in the American forum, and a preoccupation with the purported evil of the opposition often detours any political machinations from an active pursuit of good. So seldom now are political discussions about the means to an agreeable end; so often are they diatribes to further cement diametrical ideologies. Defining, categorizing, and simplifying, most often along political, racial, and religious guidelines are the methods of the day. With the ill-will between political factions and identities at an amazing high (and again, not necessarily without good reason), it is helpful to remember those moments of excellent inter-political cooperation, when Americans were still able to form that more perfect union in active resistance of great evil.
Such was the case with the 1948-1949 Airlift, perhaps the most brusque ebullition of American initiative and ingenuity in the entire 20th century. Though divided amongst the Allied forces after WWII, Berlin was entirely enclosed and isolated in the greater Soviet portion of Germany. To gain control of the city, Soviet forces blockaded all railways and roads into Berlin, hoping through this threat of starvation to stimulate enough discontent that an uprising would occur in Berlin and allow the communization of Germany proper. A Democrat president, Harry Truman, and a majority Republican legislature signed/voted the Marshall Plan into effect, and from June 24th, 1948, until May 12th, 1949, the Allied airlift kept the badly damaged German capital, which was meeting only 2% of its vital production needs, supplied with adequate food and coal until the blockade was lifted by the much-shamed Soviets. A total of 278, 228 flights, flying a total 92 million miles, provided 13,000 tons of food and 26, 000 tons of coal per day to Berlin, and at its height the airlift actually brought more supplies into the city, per day, than had been previously been brought by ground. The Airlift was sustained through the exceptionally harsh winter of 1949, and was run so efficiently that one plane departed for Berlin from an Allied base every 30 seconds. The United States dropped 1,783,573 of the Allied contribution 2,326,406 tons food and coal, at a total cost of $224 million, which if adjusted to modern inflated standards equals $2 billion. For less than half the cost of what the U.S. pays Israel and Pakistan annually to not fight each other, the United States kept Berlin fed, heated, out of communist control, and did it all by plane.
There was a time when objective, eminent goods were easily recognized, if for no other reason than Americans then had a lot more in common. Admittedly, few issues are as black and white as the Berlin Blockade, but the loss of an enemy like the USSR should not mean a loss in moralistic temperance. Now the accused socialists seem to be pursuing a crippling spending policy, while the accused ultra-conservatives advance their “don’t spend to help anybody anywhere” policy. This can all be seen within the context of any one issue—say health-care reform, foreign aid, or troop presence abroad. Perhaps the contrast between need and want is not as obvious as it once was, but the necessary moralistic perspective seems largely lost amidst the current political segregation. The American political dialogue may have broken down, but America’s enemies, the enemies of life, liberty and happiness, have not. The same pride and perseverance that shocked the world in the Berlin airlift, appears to be fretfully dwindling.

Case Study: Cuba

As healthcare reform continued to dominate the political maneuverings and current events here in the U.S., Congresswoman Diane Watson decided the issue was heading south, and accordingly urged fellow California Democrats to hearken the Cuban example. Watson recently accused conservative opposition of blocking Healthcare reform out of malicious racism, but conversely had only the best to say about the Cuban regime. After lauding Cuban healthcare, along with mass murderer Che Guevara, Watson, amidst applause and encouragement from fellow congressmen, described Fidel Castro as, “one of the brightest leaders I have ever met." Assuming Watson has met all of the foremost Democratic and Republican leaders alike, this is a particularly alarming mindset. Watson may not be aware that Castro himself ousted a man who was, like Obama, 50% black, but nonetheless the current administration may be taking Watson to heart.
In addition to lifting travel restrictions and allowing remittances to the island from Cuban-Americans, the U.S. and Cuba are now coordinating to resume uninhibited postal services. This should come as sharp relief to many Cubans, who for more than remittances are in desperate need of toilet paper. The cash strapped country, which imports 60% of its food supply (now being rationed) and approximately 80% of its toilet paper, does not have the financial resources to continue its foreign dependencies. Apart from decreasing the food ration, the only reassurance thus far issued by Castro’s government is that by state-run Radio Rebelde, which currently maintains that, “an important importation will be attained at the end of the year”. Raul Castro, who replaced his ailing older brother Fidel as president, also has complained that Cuba's productivity is too low, and to the wailing and gnashing of communist teeth he is putting more state-owned land in private hands and pushing for salaries to be based on productivity. With the global economic downturn, a particularly harsh hurricane season, and a tradition of being unproductive, the largest Caribbean island is in dire straits.
President Obama recently compared his Health Care schematic to the general Postal Service in the U.S—the government owned USPS running nicely alongside the private companies such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. This was supposed to be an assuring example of cooperation between public and private sectors (though of course it’s still illegal for anyone but the USPS to go door-to-door). However, this may take on new meaning as UPS and FedEx are, and will still be, barred from business in Cuba, whereas the USPS going to be granted exclusive business access, in addition to German owned DHL. In the spirit of ornery rebellion therefore, and more importantly in the spirit of humanitarian aid for the Cubans and their constipated economy, conscientious and caring Americans should cover all Cuba-bound mail-planes/boats with toilet paper. With Castro initiating capitalist policies and Watson pushing to emulate Cuba, maybe a trade is in order (now that it’s possible). America can airmail Watson and some TP, as long as it’s USPS, and get some celebratory cigars.

People's Republic of New York

New York, once an eminent icon of the United States, has become an embarrassing case causing liberals and conservatives alike to cringe (plastic surgery not preventing). Similar to California, New York benefits from extensive natural resources and a large population, but through a gross, extensive, and long-term abuse of fiscal policy and dead-end social intervention, it is bankrupt. Its state debt is second only to California, but Governor Patterson, who is planning to run again for the position, insists this is due to vindictive racism. It may be best to ignore Albany, and most people probably do, but New York City is another matter entirely. With its famous skyline and infamous Wall Street, New York is often thought of as the pinnacle of economic initiative and the place wherein America’s tremendous wealth is centered. While this may be exaggerated or debatable, there are nonetheless few people who look at the Empire State Building and aren’t impressed by the capability it signifies. The financiers in New York often come under criticism for lacking any egalitarian perspective, and whether or not this is fair, some may well have finally sold out.
This past Wednesday, October 2nd, marked the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, and the Empire State Building was bathed in the red and yellow towards its honor. The most iconic building in North America was illuminated with Communist colors while they goose-stepped in Beijing. The lighting ceremony itself is not unusual or a particularly reserved procedure (it recently shone celebratory colors for the Wizard of Oz jubilee), but this is nonetheless a most disconcerting display. In the midst of the current obsession with the floundering economy, and as China is mobilizing troops along the Indian border, the tallest building in America is covered in communist totalitarian propaganda. People would be far more alarmed if a poster of Mao had been plastered on the Statue of Liberty, and while that is admittedly more extreme, the demoralizing and apathetic mindset witnessed in New York can easily lead to further ethical abandon.
The ESB Lighting Partners sub-committee maintains that, “The program is designed to achieve the best and most constructive publicity for the Empire State Building and its Lighting Partners. All special lighting requests are considered based on the merit of their cause, the benefit of their use of the special lighting and their treatment of the Empire State Building’s iconic image for the event and on an ongoing basis.”
Perhaps the powers that be really want China to keep buying U.S. bonds. Maybe moral fiber in New York is irrevocably tarnished, or maybe people just don’t think that advertising Chinese communism is that big of a deal. This repulsive (and tax-funded) display, in accordance with ESBLP, acknowledges that the act was intended, deliberately, to publicize China PR, and that celebrating the 60th anniversary of one of the most destructive and abusive regimes mankind endures is a cause of merit. China hasn’t only been gifted a pass on accountability, it’s had the iniquitous ideology for which it stands directly focused on the tower’s iconic presence.