The Pax Americana is Dead

Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressing a joint session of the United States Congress, DSecember 21^st, 2022 _{(Credit: Wikimedia Commons)}

I was wrong.

Throughout the year I have been writing here, I have often spoke about the challenges facing America. However, I have also reiterated my optimism and belief in America, its institutions, the ideals on which it stands, and the ability of the American people to meet the challenge of living up to those aspirations. Today’s events in the Oval Office, during which the President of the United States, and the Vice President of the United States disrespected and humiliated the President of Ukraine should go down as one of the United States’ most loathsome moments in its entire history.

I have often tried to be fair with my arguments. I have believed that Donald Trump represents the worst of America and would be dangerous for the country if he was reelected President, but I tried to put myself in the shoes of his supporters. I tried to explain why I believed he would not advance the policy positions which his supporters have advocated. I have tried to outline why I think any conservative should not support Donald Trump since he does not support real conservatism. Since his inauguration five weeks ago, not only have my concerns over domestic stability come true, but the full truth of the cruel depths to which Trump would sink and drag the rest of us with him have been revealed.

I have never felt a greater sense of fury and shame at my own country than after watching today’s press conference in which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was belittled, shouted at, insulted, and disrespected by the so-called “leaders of the free world” should go down one of the lowest moments of American history.

The Pax Americana is dead.

America has abdicated its moral position, its honor, its decency, and its right to ever make a request of any other nation ever again. To so publicly disgrace, humiliate, and betray an ally currently fighting a war of existential survival against its authoritarian dictatorship of a neighbor is morally repugnant. Russia rules by terror at home and abroad while the United States has long since held itself up as the bastion of liberty and a defender of nations’ right to self-determination.

Today, Donald Trump dishonored America, and disrespected the Oval Office by attempting to strongarm President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into accepting a deal for American aid in Ukraine’s war against Russian aggression. Then, both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated and mocked President Zelenskyy before unceremoniously throwing out the Ukrainian delegation.

Quite simply, Donald Trump is the most shameful President in the history of the nation. He will forever be on the wrong side of history and deserves to be reviled for the rest of eternity. Furthermore, every single one of us deserves to be damned with him. America’s place as the world’s protector, as imperfect as it was, is dead. Our inability to act, our refusal to make a moral choice, and the absolute disrespect for the leader of a nation which has shown more resolve than America has in decades is indefensible.

America has now abandoned every single value upon which it was founded. Frankly, I question how anyone can claim any level of competence or respect from the Trump administration. It seems no depth is too low for them to sink. Consistent betrayal of allies, attempted extortion, and being rude and domineering in front of others as a show of strength are not the tactics of the world’s sole superpower, but rather the behavior of a two-bit mob boss.

I feel a stronger sense of patriotism for Ukraine, a nation to which I have no ties whatsoever, than I do for my homeland. The steely refusal to surrender in the face of overwhelming odds is far more inspirational than our leaders’ capitulation to the wills of a mad old tyrant trying to recapture the former glory of a second-rate nation. The thuggish way with which the current ‘administration’ has run America has destroyed our international influence and standing in record time. Never in the history of the world has an empire at the height of its power committed suicide like this out of sheer spite. Never have I despised my nation or its leaders more.

The blood in Ukraine is on Trump’s hands. It is on our hands. Supporting Russia, which started this war of aggression, over Ukraine is morally unconscionable. Ukraine is engaged in an existential struggle for its own sovereignty, and wavering our support for Ukraine now is an affront to America’s stated values of liberty and freedom. To turn around and support Russia at all is a betrayal of everything Americans fought and died for over the last eighty years.

I have written fairly extensively about the path which the world has taken to get here, and where America must go in order to absolve the sins of the past. I have also written specifically why supporting Ukraine is not only in our best interest, but also the morally correct thing to do. Ukraine needs our help. From the West. From the people of the United States who can do what little we can since our elected leadership has chosen the path of craven cowards. In lieu of the United States of America abandoning an ally in need, WE THE PEOPLE must step up and do what we can.

Below is a list of links compiled by r/Ukraine to donate to various organizations to help Ukraine. I sent $150 to United24, and I urge anyone who reads this to give what little they can wherever they feel will do the most good. We have to be the voice for America when our leaders fall short.

War Effort Organizations

Come Back Alive: This NGO crowdfunds a variety of military equipment, such as thermal vision scopes and vehicles, and directly supplies the front lines. It also provides crucial training for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as research of troops’ needs and enhancing the social reintegration of veterans.
Hospitallers: This is a medical battalion that unites volunteer paramedics and doctors to save the lives of soldiers on the frontline. They crowdfund their vehicle repairs, fuel, and medical equipment.
Ukraine Front Line: A US-based and registered 501(c)(3), this NGO fulfills front line soldiers’ direct defense and humanitarian aid. It’s also the official in-house partner for r/Ukraine mod team fundraisers, and updates from initiatives are posted for the community regularly. Represented on Reddit by u/UFL_Robin.
Protect a Volunteer: Get matched with a volunteer in Ukraine who needs financial support or equipment or fund a flight to get a badass to the frontline. You will be put in direct contact with a defender and can help with flight costs, life saving gear, medical kits, cold weather clothing, and other expenses. Represented on Reddit by u/tallalittlebit.
Azov One: The official fundraising unit of the Azov Brigade, covers the battleground needs of Azov servicemen with non-lethal and lp protective equipment. They stay in direct contact with the Azov command and deliver supplies to the frontline. Represented on Reddit by u/azov_one.
Renegade Relief Runners: Partners with other NGOs to source and deliver military, medical, and humanitarian aid wherever it’s needed. Feisty, cagey, and carefully fearless, they just wanna help Ukraine. Represented on Reddit by u/3xR_team.
Kozak Drive Foundation: A Ukraine-based foundation that supplies frontline soldiers with whatever they request. Represented on Reddit by u/KateKozakDrive.
Ukraine Aid Ops: Volunteers around the world who are helping to find and deliver equipment directly to those who need it most in Ukraine. Represented on Reddit by u/Ukraine_Aid_Ops.
Sustain Ukraine: Providing soldiers and combat medics with a variety of gear and medical items. Represented on Reddit by u/sustainUkraine.
Superhumans: Thousands of Ukrainians have suffered life-changing injuries, wounded on the battlefield and on the street. Superhumans Center is a modern rehabilitation center for adults and children in Ukraine that gives these people the superhero life they deserve.
United24: This site was launched by President Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be allocated to cover the most pressing needs facing Ukraine.

Help for Ukrainian Civilians

Help People: Help People provides evacuation support and humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities around Ukraine. They operate refugee housing for more than 30,000 people and have delivered over 100,000 tons of humanitarian aid, all free of charge to recipients. They’re represented here by u/olexiy_voronin.
B50: B50 restores peaceful life in communities affected by russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They clear rubble, restore damaged buildings, stock libraries, transform school bomb shelters into fun, child-friendly spaces, and more. Represented on Reddit by u/b50_volunteers.
Bird of Light: Bird of Light Ukraine creates a humanitarian supply line for medical and defense aid into hard-hit parts of Ukraine. Working with local and international partners, they provide a rapid response that is difficult for larger NGOs. They’re represented here by u/Feylin.
TeleHelp Ukraine: Provides free, high-quality medical and mental health support to Ukrainians affected by the war through telemedicine services from a global network of clinicians, interpreters, and volunteers with a focus on patient advocacy and care coordination.
Laptops for Ukraine: This NGO is a collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the European Commission. Donate your unused devices to help address the severe shortage of working electronic devices for nurses, teachers and students in Ukraine.
Safe Passage 4 Ukraine: This NGO helps the most vulnerable in Ukraine by facilitating ground evacuations, travel assistance, resettlement, and providing life-saving winter equipment.