IMO, the sooner all this gloating is over, the better. Then – maybe – Americans can begin to think about what the failure of the U.S. Olympic proposal might mean. We would be wise to think at a deeper level than gloating or political taunting.

I think this Olympic failure reflects the growing number of governments around the world that hold the U.S. in contempt. And why not? Our own elected leaders (and our unelected popular cultural icons) hold the U.S. in contempt. I don’t mean to suggest that we should strive to be more “popular” abroad. I do say that Americans, especially our elected leaders, must have a decent self-respect as well as a decent respect for other nations. And I say that the nation needs its leaders to develop, and be guided by, policies that reflect our national interest; and stand up and defend those policies whenever and wherever they are challenged.

For example, I think it’s shameful when our President and other elected officials continually apologize for what America stands for and for what it has accomplished in its brief lifetime. This country has an exceptional record of success – not just failures. Constant harping on failures only increases contempt for America – because it confirms beliefs that Americans have no pride in their country, no self-respect, and are weak. I can’t accept that most Americans believe these things about themselves, and I think it’s shameful that our leaders are feeding these beliefs here and around the world.

But to feel shame, one must have a decent self-respect. Look around and tell me how many of our leaders you think show decent self-respect. I’ll tell you what I see: self-important, self-centered, self-indulgent and self-righteous pols, who entered public life for personal gain and do not respect their country, their constituents, other countries, or themselves. I think these pols are behaving shamefully and because of an absence of self-respect aren’t even aware – and wouldn’t care anyway. However, people around the world have noticed.

The Olympic decision is not really important by itself, but it may be a valuable alarm signal. What might world opinion of America be telling us about ourselves, that we really need to know? Are we electing the right officials – from school board up to Congress and the President- for the 21st century? When we re-elect someone to office – why do we do it? Are Americans failing to hold our political class accountable for what they do and for what they fail to do? It’s a good time to stop and think.