As the title states, hero worship is universal, but obviously not always for the same reasons. Lately I’ve noticed three examples of this worship. One of these even applies to myself.

Israel Worship

If you are on social media, even casually, it should be obvious since October 7th that there is a large group of Americans who not only idolize but borderline fetishize the State of Israel. I have watched beloved figures in the left, right, and libertarian spheres be attacked for not only critiquing Israel’s response but for daring to just ask for evidence of Israel’s claims in the media. Why? Why do many Americans have the impulse to support Israel as if the world will come to an end if they lose 1% of their power in their region?

Ignoring decades upon decades of Zionist propaganda shoved down Americans' throats in the media and in evangelical churches (a separate discussion), I believe that many conservatives, especially MAGA folks, look at Israel from a distance and wish the United States could be more like it (I know, they can’t see the irony). Conservatives see a state with closed borders, a strong defense of the homeland, and a government that seemingly loves its people, and they get a whole lot jealous. They wish their homeland could have even 50% of the strength and commitment Israel exhibits.

‘Let’s Move to Argentina’

With the election of Javier Milei in Argentina, not only have libertarians and anarchists(?) seemingly lost their collective(?) minds, but so have many anti-woke on the “right.” Milei promises to close the central bank in Argentina and adopt the US dollar. There are hopes he will also institute competing currencies, eliminate all non-essential governmental departments, and take a stand against woke culture (I can feel his acolytes seething that I left out about 5,000 other things he’s promised to do). Honestly, I hope he achieves his goals; if for no other reason than to see if the reforms can last and what steps would be needed to “keep it” (to invoke Benjamin Franklin).

Again, this is an example of a group of people desiring something in their own land that they’re not getting. They not only get to live vicariously through Argentinians, but they also hope to see a real-world experiment of their ideology put into practice. Which is what I want for the US and which leads me to...

‘I’m Moving to El Salvador’

Just a few short years ago, El Salvador was a punchline when it came to the “banana republic” to be avoided, unless you liked the most violent gangs on the planet and taking your life into your own hands. That’s when the former mayor of their capital, San Salvador, Nayib Bukele, entered the picture. He ran for president on the promise to clean up the streets, won, and took office in 2019.

Since then, he has famously taken a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to gangs and crime, arresting 6,000 gang members in ten days. Reports indicate that murders in El Salvador have been reduced by 56%. As the chart in this article shows, in 2022 El Salvador was ranked the 3rd lowest in homicide rates among selected Latin American and Caribbean countries. When you witness the miracle that is happening in El Salvador and you take into consideration that El Salvador adopted the US dollar in 2001 and even made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, as Milei wants to do in Argentina, the question that must be raised is: why can’t these measures be implemented here in the US? The answer is simple: the people in charge don’t want you to be safe. What they care about is looting as much as they can from the plebes before the destruction they’ve set in motion is complete.

‘Why Not Here?’

When it comes to the hero worship of other governments and world leaders by Americans, it’s very simple to understand: we see in foreign leaders what we wish we saw in our own. The American politician that people can see and judge to be someone who loves his or her country as much as they themselves do is rare. Unfortunately, those politicians are usually marginalized or mocked and subsequently run out of office. So we cast our gaze elsewhere and wonder “what could be” if only those in charge here loved our people as much as foreign leaders appear to love theirs. This hero worship is not a criticism. It’s human. And humanity is what we need in those leaders that could possibly get us out of the mess others have gotten us into.  Sadly, our leaders lack this humanity. If you ever wondered where the politician reptilian memes came from, there you have it.