Americans have become less engaged and more isolated, and have lost significant allies while our image in the world has rapidly deteriorated. The Bush administration believes that leadership in the international community can be achieved only through military strength and unilateralism. A series of foreign policy blunders costing thousands of innocent lives has replaced our long, proud history of helping others and fighting for freedom. To regain the world’s respect and restore our credibility, we need to reflect our traditional values and ideals in our foreign policy and demonstrate leadership by respecting international law and defending human rights and civil liberties. We must join the global community to fight poverty, stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, end genocide, promote global environmental stewardship, and combat terrorism. America should also be a champion worldwide by rewarding countries practicing the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
