I replied to a recent news story about people being apologetic over their actions with the Coronovirus.
America (and by extension, Americans) have been drunk on their own exceptionalism since WWII. "We are the greatest nation in the world!" and "We are invincible" have insinuated into the very fabric of everyday life. Reinforced by Hollywood and popular television, America sees itself as a "smart, aloof, arrogant" hero who arrives in the nick of time to save it's lazy, vaguely feminine compatriots with guns blazing and police badges skittering defiantly across the chief's desk.
This misplaced sense of self-importance has to die if America is to survive the next decade. Hand wringing and mea culpas do absolutely nothing to stem the tide of death. Our leaders proclaimed "We have it totally under control!" as the citizens of other countries drowned in their own blood. Like hell it was under control. And now it is in our house, in our loved ones. A ticking time bomb that could have been diffused if America had the slightest hint of the backbone portrayed in movies and TV.
Millions of us may die. But let's make it a good death. Let's learn from our mistakes and build a better America- and Americans.