Dear Editor,

The root of all the vilification hurled at the United States is the accusation that it acts out of arrogant self-interest. This accusation is not merely hypocritical (is any other country expected to act against its national self-interest?) it confounds the crucial issue.
The crucial question is what is its self-interest? The answer will tell who should welcome its power, and who should fear it.
The United States is the first country in history to subordinate the state to its citizens rights, and this is the secret of its wealth and power. It is not America's might that makes it right, but its protection of rights that makes its might. Freedom-loving people have nothing to fear from the United States using its power in pursuit of its interests. In fact we rely on it, that is what protected us from the fascists and communists last century, and that is what will protect us from the terrorists and tyrants this century.

Australia's national self-interest demands that we be America's staunchest ally--not because we are a lapdog dependent who expects the US to sacrifice its interests for us, but because we share its traditional love of liberty.


Sincerely,

John Dawson
McKinnon, Australia