This question tends to put forward an ideology that the United States took part somehow in the hanging of Saddam Hussein. What the United States did was to leave it in the hands of the new Iraqi government. The United States neither condoned nor condemned the use of capital punishment for the deposed dictator.
Now to answer the question of what it means for the United States for Saddam Hussein to be dead.
In my opinion, the death of Saddam means the same to the United States as it does to the remainder of the free world. More importantly is the importance of his death for the Iraqi people.
A Comparison of Dictators:
In order to illustrate my point think of what history shows of the lack of knowledge of Hitler's death until after the wall fell in the 1980's. There had long been several opinions as to what happened to Hitler after his defeat in WWII. Nazi and White Supremacist groups continued to grow for decades throughout parts of Europe and the United States.
White Supremacists groups were not new, but the fear of the continuation of the Nazi regime in the closets of neighbors was very unsettling. The Neo Nazi movement broke out of that and became much more public when some of the fears began to fade.
The other school of thought was that Hitler was likely dead, some knew he was dead, but kept the idealism alive. Once Hitler's death and place of burial was known beyond doubt, there was no way to stop the ideology that followed his insane and dangerous mindset.
Some think that point has been made too much. But, I feel those who believe so are too young to remember the aftermath of WWII politics that lasted for nearly 50 more years, slowly dwindling over the later 20 of those 50 years.
The meaning of Saddam Hussein's Death to the United States:
Now, I return to the question first set forth by this article. What does it mean to the United States for Saddam Hussein to be dead? Personally, I feel that it is the beginning of a finally to his regime.
Besides the fact that we assisted in the deposing of a sadistic dictator the death of Saddam releases us and other countries from a threat, and a defiant self imposed demigod. Saddam used a tactic employed by many former dictators who were once supposed allies.
He would make treaties, sign promises, and then break them. Then he would go through a cycle of total non-compliance, back to more promises of compliance, and continue the cycle. Throughout these cycles, he would have his own way of thumbing his nose at the rest of the world and even his own peoples. He continued his reign of terror within his own borders and kept the rest of the world on pins and needles wondering what he was hiding in those borders.
I still have no true idea of the philosophy or ideology of Saddam Hussein. This is what makes it difficult for me to understand that anyone would be a sympathizer with him. Yet like most he did have his following.
With Saddam gone, the United States has set itself up in a precarious situation by continuing in the country. But, if we had not taken that unpopular stance to continue military support until a new government could be established and a new system of law enforcement set up, the chance of a return of another dictatorial government to the area was entirely possible.
Did we need another situation such as Afghanistan? Not in my book. Could it have happened if we had not stayed? Most certainly, I believe so.
What does the Hanging of Saddam Hussein mean for posterity?
The posterity of Iraq is still in question since the establishment of a new effective government and police force has been slow and full of pitfalls. Saddam's followers are slowing their threats and moving on. They are melding into another system of gorilla fighters, or becoming a part of Iraqi society once more.
The bombing of oil fields has stopped. The people are rebuilding their country with the help of the United States and other allied countries. Schools are reopening, and communication with the outside world is again possible. Hospitals are being reopened and staffed with competent health care professionals.
All of this can potentially be a promising situation for the U.S. not only for strategic purposes, but for purposes of future trade in the area. It also gives out a message that as always, the United States rebuilds what it helps to destroy in wartime.
What should we remember about Iraq?
We should remember that this country has a long history of both upheaval and democracy. There are several generations who remember Iraq prior to Saddam's take over. These are the same Iraqi's who will help to lead the new Iraq.
We should remember that many of Iraq's scholars were taught in our own universities as well as those in England and other free countries.
We should remember that Iraq was not always Saddam Hussein. Thankfully, it is no longer and is returning to the people of Iraq.
Most of all we should remember that freedom comes at a high price, and must be guarded with a hard line of people for people.