Do we really believe guns or bombs are going to protect us from another terrorist attack? Do we understand how vulnerable we are to chemical or biological warfare? The underlying cause of our perilous situation is what must be addressed: We have lost our way -- it is our interfering attitude toward the Islamic world and our greed for their oil that has given rise to the resentment we must now deal with.
To change the world's opinion of us we must first change our understanding of the real source of peace, love and happiness -- greed for power and wealth or bullying others to accept our ideas will never take us there.
We must then recognize that the human population and all of Nature are connected in a profound and meaningful way -- as individuals cells in a single organism, if you will -- and that every part of the body must be cared for properly for the organism as a whole to flourish.
The change that must occur in each one of us and as a nation is an evolved understanding of what it means to be human in the 21st century.
We can no longer live by macho posturing or braggadocio, with outmoded, outdated ideas of world dominance or might-makes-right, but must recognize our common humanity and behave in a cooperative and compassionate way.
It is long past time for We the People to wake up from our self-deluding trance.
We've been fed the poisoned apple of hedonistic consumerism far too long: some have been stumbling around in a stupor of sated excess while others are futilely pursuing that carrot-on-a-stick known as the American Dream -- a dream that only maintains their usefulness as cogs in the machine of Corporate Earth.
Our physical isolation, our self-righteousness and our narcissism have blinded us to the suffering and need of the rest of the world.
Can we not see that it is our own obnoxious behavior -- not our freedom but how we use it -- that has created resentment and hatred? If we were not extremely flagrant in our excesses, extremists both within and without would have nothing to rail against.
If we were humble, modest and generous we would be admired and appreciated rather than reviled.
If every celebrity were a model of service, devoting time, energy & resources-using their celebrity for an admirable purpose instead of self-aggrandizement and ego gratification-we could actually change the world.
If the USA wants to be the world leader it is meant to be, it must do so by modeling admirable qualities-qualities other individuals and nations will appreciate, desire and emulate.
For a nation dominated by Christian theology, we've failed at its most basic principle: Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.
Modeling a respectful society that cares for its own would be a good place to start.
And then assisting others around the world to achieve their own self-sufficiency would be a good next step.