On Wednesday, President Obama spoke to the nations of the world by addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations. He made it clear that the Bush policy of forcing other nations to agree with American policy, either through economic or military intimidation, is over.
We are entering a new era where America will offer leadership and cooperation, but he made it clear that America cannot and will not try to fix the world alone. Other nations must do their part -- both to heal their own nations and to heal the world at large. The huge problems facing the world can only be fixed by the cooperation and involvement of all nations.
The president is right. Although America is a large and powerful nation, we cannot and should not be the world's policeman or savior. We have tried this kind of unilateral action in the past, and it was justifiably viewed as little more than an expansion of American imperialism.
No nation, not the United States or Russia or China or anyone else, can claim to have the only voice of truth, righteousness or justice, in my own opinion. Also, no nation has the right or is powerful enough to impose its will on the rest of the world. That's why the president is right. If the world is to be saved and made a better place for all its citizens, it must be accomplished through the cooperation of all nations.
Here are some quotes from President Obama's speech:
"Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."
"Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions."
"In the year 2009 - more than at any point in human history - the interests of nations and peoples are shared."
"No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. That is the future America wants - a future of peace and prosperity that we can only reach if we recognize that all nations have rights, but all nations have responsibilities as well."
"The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise."
"All of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip service."
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