Short story - “Walls”

I am in the process of going through all of my published stories making a list of when and where they were published as well as a brief description of the story.  I came across this story I first wrote almost ten years ago, and given this election season, it’s still relevant. 

“Walls”

“It was announced today – from the United Nations’ new home of Paris – that a twenty meter tall wall will be constructed around the United States of America to protect the rest of the world from the threat of Americanism. 

“Secretary General Kizza Nsibambi had this to say: ‘For many decades the world has tolerated – feared would be a better word – the self-appointed role of world guardian the United States has taken.  But just like Rome and the British Empire, all major powers must eventually fade and pass into history to make room for newer powers.  It is not a moment the people greet with joy, but it is a moment they must greet.  Now is the time for the United States to fade. 

‘Despite what the American administration says, I am not calling for the destruction of the United States; Britain exists without its empire.  What I am saying is that America has had too much power over the world for too long and has done too little with it.  The United States says they champion democracy around the world, but they have no problem propping up corrupt regimes if it means they’ll get cheap oil.  A few Americans killed anywhere in the world is a major news story, possibly leading to war, while millions are slaughtered in Africa in silence and America does nothing.  It is time for the world to stand on its own two feet and solve its own problems.  The greatest obstacle in doing this is America as a world power; and it is time that obstacle is removed.’

“American President Jonathon Pike’s response to the Secretary General was, ‘Bring it on.’”