I NOTE that certain ministers, politicians, journalists and commentators have, in recent weeks, decided to take potshots at the United States for certain misdeeds or behaviour on its part.

Perhaps these good people (they must be good, right?) would do well to reflect on the fact that in America, an African-American — from one of the country’s minority communities — has a reasonable chance of being elected to the top political job in the country and maybe the most powerful job in the world.

Or that Asian-American Bobby Jindal, from another minority community in America, can be directly elected (no cosy grouping of political parties deciding on a candidate here) as a state governor of Louisiana.

It appears, therefore, that the American political process is inherently healthy, even though politics in the US is fiercely partisan and resolutely secular.

Add the fact that America remains the goal of would-be migrants all over the world, including the best and brightest who fight for a chance to study at the top US universities or to work in American multinational corporations, technology companies and financial institutions.

Speaking of universities, America has six universities in the latest Times Higher Education Supplement top 10 world university rankings, including No 1 Harvard.

And there is the little-known fact that America has invested close to US$16 billion (RM54 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia up to last year, which makes it one of Malaysia’s top sources of FDI.

Its FDI in Malaysia has, I believe, provided a fairly large number of good jobs and career opportunities for Malaysians.

So, why take potshots at America?

P. GEORGEJohor Baru

Source: NST – August 26, 2008