Why people keep saying “everyone else did it” as though slavery and bigotry was somehow innate, or natural or human is beyond me. There are only eleven countries on this planet that were never colonized, and America is NOT one of them.
America was under colonial rule for 211 years. If we want to compare America to other countries, choose one that was colonized (compare apples to apples – not oranges). Personally, if I’m going to compare myself, I’m going to compare myself to the best.
America declared independence in 1776. 245 years later, America is so divided we're on the verge of our second civil war. Many Americans are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. America is in decline and falling faster every year.
When Singapore declared independence in 1959, it was a poverty-stricken nation, ravaged by colonialism. Today, 62 years later, Singapore is in the top 20 in too many global rankings to list, often in the #1 position. For example:
Singapore is ranked #1 most competitive country in the world (America is #2).
Singapore is ranked #1 worldwide for the ease of doing business.
Singapore is ranked #1 in the Index of Economic Freedom
Singapore is ranked #1 in OECD global education (America is ranked #72).
Singapore is ranked #3 in Life Expectancy (America is ranked #54)
Singapore is ranked #10 in infant mortality (America is ranked #47)
Singapore is ranked #12 the Rule of Law Index (America didn’t even make into the top 20)
How did a dirt poor, tiny, third world country pass us by in a short 62 years?
The only thing most Americans know about Singapore, it it’s gum chewing law. Americans love to believe Singapore is a dictatorship, communist or socialist country. But that is not true. There are 23 Full Democracies in the world today and America is NOT one of them. In the global democracy index, both Singapore and America are ranked as “Flawed Democracies”. If Democracy does not explain Singapore’s rankings, what does explain it?
The answer is simple. Singapore declared independence and dumped racism. Racism was the most divisive, destructive component of colonial rule and Singapore basically outlawed it. By ending racism, Singapore was able to fully invest in the education of ALL it’s children –poor, rich, powerful, weak, Chinese, Straits Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, European, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Atheist. In Singapore, every child was required to learn to read, write and speak two languages – their own family language and English. Today, students fluent in three languages or more, is common.
In one generation Singapore had built an army of educated citizens prepared to participate in Democracy and build a modern country. By educating all their children, all Singaporeans gained trustworthy family members who were prepared to help guide and lead their families into the future.
Now, imagine what would happen if America did the same thing now. In one generation, America could be prepared to seize a future that is impossible to even consider today. In one generation we could all have our very own, future leaders, right in our own families.
