Traduce

–verb (used with object), -duced, -duc·ing.

to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame: to traduce someone's character.

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When in absolute (or effectually/relatively absolute) power, one's greatest fear must be oneself.

It seems an unfortunately natural human impulse to, when removed of insecurities (such as fear for survival or well-being) to, in the absence of fear, relax and exhibit a more impulsive attitude. The United States is a worldwide superpower, likely the greatest (in terms of force, anyway), and has for some time now exhibited, instead of restraint, a penchant for aggressive tendencies. This is the opposite of what I think should be expected of a superpower that is here to stay, one that would, upon receiving the title of "most powerful", rightfully fear, above all else, itself.

As a superpower, it is very easy for our impulsive attitudes to become a serious threat to the rest of the world. Having power and misusing it demands our dismantling. Therefore, should America like to continue being the "most powerful", it should fear itself, its image, and its motives above all else, because this is what will be our undoing.

The current administration has reprehensibly neglected this rather simple and intuitive precept. It has given the world a reason to fear us--and fear is at the heart of rebellion. It is a dark irony, in a way, in that the excuse for excising liberties and percolating impulsive, roguish and arrogant activity around the world is that we are "fighting the war on terror" and effectually becoming the nation most worthy of fear.

Diplomacy and careful introspection is the only way. Aggression, clinging to power, pretending we have nothing to fear--these are the facets of nations, leaders and governments that were not only historically apt to destruction (externally or internally), but necessary to be destroyed, for the safety of the world. If America fears nothing, something is wrong. At the very least the greatest nation in the world can spend more time thinking than acting, and will, as a result, provide a good example of what a modern and hopefully future government should look like: one with humble and democratic intentions. Otherwise we as a country will not survive, and maybe, as a result of our transgressions and the monumental conflict it would take to destruct the current American ego (in terms of international relations, at least, and I use "ego" to mean government), the world itself would fall under threat. I don't think I need elaborate on imperatives past this.