When John McCain asserted during last Tuesday's Presidential debate that "American workers are the best in the world," it stirred no commentary from the media, engendered no quizzical expressions from most of the tens of millions of Americans watching, and produced no controversy - and that's the problem. We have been conditioned to believe that we are the best. All politicians, past and present, Republicans and Democrats, engage in it.
During the primaries, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said "I know that the American worker is the best worker in the world. We are the most productive workers. Nobody works harder. We have fewer vacation days. We have fewer sick leave days. We work. That's what we do." And for Barack Obama fans; sorry, he does it too.
One can argue the merits of this sentiment. American workers were the most productive overall, according to a recent International Labor Organization study that used 2006 data. But Norwegian workers were the most productive per hour, while Chinese workers enjoyed the highest productivity growth, Clinton is correct about American workers having fewer sick leave days and vacation days, but that can be attributed to social causes or differing legislation between nations.
But the figures miss the point. My purpose in writing this piece is not to question politicians but to ask of the American people: Is this common statement simply a misplaced attempt to curry favor or are astute politicians picking up on the pulse of America? And if it's the latter, do we really believe that we are the best, and do we need that belief constantly reinforced? Are we unable to fault ourselves and only blame wasteful wall-street executives and government officials? Too often we spend our time criticizing our leaders and not enough reflecting on ourselves. These questions beg for discussion.
Dan Rosa Sophomore, School of International Service
