Covid-19 Is Destroying the Myth of American Exceptionalism
A botched pandemic response in the US has led to an astounding death toll, a sky-high unemployment rate, and rising inequality.
By Karen J. Greenberg
Via The Nation and TomDispatch.
Remember the song “Over There”?
“Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming everywhere…”
Maybe not, since it was popular so long ago, but it was meant to inspire American troops saying goodbye to their country on their way to a Europe embroiled in World War I. Written by George M. Cohan, the song paid homage to an American wartime urge to do good in the world, to take what was precious about this country and spread it to less fortunate, endangered peoples elsewhere. As Jon Meacham and country music star Tim McGraw reminded us, that song’s message couldn’t have been simpler: The good guys are coming.
