Letter to the Editor of the NYT

To the Editor:

Re “Qaddafi Forces Routing Rebels” (front page, March 16):

Those demanding that America “lead” the world in order to halt Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi and help the rebels seem to be ignoring the fact that America lags far behind much of the world in math, science, health care, infrastructure, developing alternative energy and narrowing the gap between rich and poor.

America needs to shed its hubris and let someone else claim the mantle of “superpower” while we try to catch up at home. After all, what do we get for all this military leadership and bravado but mounting debt, many casualties, international ridicule and a declining quality of life at home? 

John E. Colbert
Chicago, March 16, 2011