by Kenneth Myers

Created on: October 26, 2007

Human rights in America is often the topic of debate both in America and abroad. There is no debate that the American government supports any form of 'human rights', defined as the basic rights and freedoms entitled to all humans, including but not limited to the treatment of minorities and foreign nationals who may be passing through (particularly Arabs who are more recently under close scrutiny following 9/11). The guarantee of these rights are drawn out in various amendments supporting the U.S. 'Constitution'.

Often any debate relating to U.S. human rights (or lack of) lies in the not so perfect history of this country's human rights policies. Clearly during the Cold War the U.S. was involved in several coup d'etat in opposing nations of certain leaders deemed as threats to America's interests ( Iran in 1953, when the leaders there were proposing naturalization of it's oil resources which would inevitably hinder the U.S/British oil companies ability to continue making billions of dollars from them). These actions were deemed violations of human rights policies in that they were clearly aimed at government 'restructuring' of the nations in question. These moves would ultimately effect that nation's populace, good or most often times bad. It is not known the full scope of the role the U.S. played in any such action but to many foreign observers the U.S. cannot be trusted, and for many other reasons besides coup d'etat. Cuba, for example was once overrun by gambling casinos with mob connections, that is until Castro came along. Some have argued that Castro was a crook as well, but being that as it may at least he chose not to share with rogue nations like the U.S. and Britain, who have long plundered the riches of third-world countries only to leave their inhabitants impoverished, or worse dependent.

With great power comes fear. The U.S. government knows that. It cannot conduct itself in a manner favorable to everyone at all times, and if that was at all possible it could not continue to grow in power. That is why there are so many countries whose people detest the U.S.. Knowing that, the powers that be in America plan ahead in trying to shape global interests to their favor, actions the powers consider as 'defending the American way of life' rather than clear human rights violations.

Understanding that, the government still has a greater record when it comes to human rights than some other countries. One's preservation of power exists only through totally humane efforts, not brute force. Though others point to internal human rights issues ( the ever present racial and economic issues still plaguing the nation despite various amendments), there are still many who want to migrate to the U.S in search of what they perceive to be 'a better life'. The level of suspected human rights violations in today's America is not enough to cause mass indignation on the part of it's people.

So what is the future of America? America on it's present course, particularly in the area of global human rights may be on a collision course with its own destiny. A destiny not defined solely by how it tries to appear to the global community, but how it treats its own populace. Action speaks volumes.

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