What's wrong with us? We never used to blink at taking a leadership role in the world. And we understood leadership often required something other than drones and bombs.
We accepted global leadership not just for humanitarian reasons but also because it was in our own best interest. We knew we couldn't isolate ourselves from trouble. There was no place to hide.
After World War II, we rebuilt Europe and Japan. Belatedly, we achieved peace in Kosovo. We almost eradicated polio. We took on tuberculosis, worldwide.
Now even Cuba is doing more on the ground in West Africa than we are. It's dispatching hundreds of doctors and nurses to the front lines. The first group of 165 arrived in Sierra Leone in the past few days.
Where are we?
We're not even paying attention to health crises right under our own noses.
More people are killed by stray bullets every day in America than have been killed by Ebola here. More are dying because of poverty and hunger.
More American kids are getting asthma because their homes are located next to major highways. One out of three of our children is obese, at risk of early-onset diabetes.
We're not even getting a flu shot to all Americans who need one.
Instead, we bicker. For the last eight months, Republicans have been blocking confirmation of a Surgeon General.
Why? Because the President's nominee voiced support for expanded background checks for gun purchases, and the National Rifle Association objected.
We've got to get our priorities straight. Media outlets that are exploiting Ebola because they want a sensational story and politicians using it to their own ends ought to be ashamed.
Public fear isn't something to be played with.
There's a huge job to be done, here and abroad. Let's roll up our sleeves and get on with it.
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