Decius wrote:
This is sending gobs of young people into the welcoming arms of various totalitarian ideologies.

Really? In America? Who? Which ideologies? Communism? Fascism?

Decius wrote:
And in the broader world, the end of the Cold War puts America in a position where "critical thinking" is automatically equated with disdain for what America represents.

I'm not seeing that, either. I think criticism of the government's actions (and/or lack thereof) is as popular a pastime in this country as it ever has been, and given our current President, Congress, and Supreme Court, rightly so. We'll always have a few fanboys who frown on any criticism (no matter how valid) of our own country, but I certainly don't see a general attitude among Americans that automatically equates any such criticism with disdain for what America represents.

Decius wrote:
I really think this statement translates to "We're willing to support leaders who commit atrocities in our name because we think they are going to cut us in on the spoils." That's deeply evil.

Assuming that's the case, I agree.

To a much lesser degree (minus the atrocities), we see that mentality all the time at the federal, state, and local levels of politics. Many voters don't care whether officials do right by the people as a whole, as long as they, as individuals, are taken care of. Our politicians do indeed reflect the will of the voters.

RE: Letter from China: Angry Youth: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker