Over seventy years have passed since the end of World War II, and as Japan reflects on its democratic journey, we find ourselves drawn back to the source – the United States of America. While Japan's democratic challenges, from diplomatic isolation to constitutional questions, prompt our inquiry, our focus turns to the vibrant laboratory of American democracy.

In America today, things seem to be deteriorating year after year. Young and old alike have become obsessed with appearance—looking good on camera, focusing on material possessions, money, power, and style—while remaining hollow inside. This superficiality has permeated every level of society, including the highest office in the land.

When I watched the last presidential election, my worst fears became reality: a choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Both candidates struck me as terribly unsuited for presidential material. Even The New York Times questioned Trump's presidential fitness, and rightfully so. But Harris was equally problematic—a leader who struggled to articulate herself clearly in English, the language of the country she sought to lead.

The circumstances of Harris's rise to power were troubling. She seemed to advance not through exceptional talent, but through personal relationships and by leveraging her identity as a Black woman to reach the vice presidency. This phenomenon in American politics left me incredulous.

The blame for this disaster lies squarely with both political parties who selected two unqualified, questionable candidates in the first place. How did the Democratic and Republican parties allow such poor choices to rise to the top? This represents a fundamental failure of the American political system itself. Faced with these two inadequate options, Americans ultimately selected Trump. Who could blame the voters when these were their only choices? At least he had demonstrated some experience from his first term. However, this second term is revealing his true nature. Here we have a man who has declared bankruptcy multiple times—the "king of bankruptcy"—now steering America's previously strong economy toward what appears to be an impending recession. Under his leadership, America seems to be aligning itself with Russia while becoming isolated from traditional allies in the free world.

This alignment is particularly insane when you consider that Russia has been America's adversary for decades precisely because they oppose everything we stand for—democracy, freedom, human rights. With Putin's brutal dictatorship, Russia represents the antithesis of American values. We are like water and oil, natural enemies. That's what makes Trump's cozying up to Russia so utterly mad. This is pure madness unfolding before our eyes.

Look at our President—Donald Trump serves as a perfect example of America's descent into hollow spectacle. Here's someone who dodged military service yet performs patriotism before cameras and massive audiences. A documented womanizer and home wrecker who adopts the persona of a devout Christian to manipulate American voters. A businessman whose ventures have repeatedly failed, yet he presents himself as successful while the world watches. Perhaps most disturbing of all is what's happening beneath the surface: while Trump appears to be destroying America from his presidential platform, he is simultaneously using his position to secretly enrich himself. The presidency has become a vehicle for personal financial gain rather than public service. It's like witnessing a badly scripted reality TV show that has somehow become our national governance.

This superficial culture trickles down to younger generations, who follow these hollow trends without substance. Meanwhile, people become consumed with fighting over petty issues while seemingly ignoring major global concerns—like Russia's ongoing invasion of peaceful neighboring country with no end in sight. Innocent civilian families in Ukraine—fathers, mothers, and their children—are killed by Russian invaders every day, yet Americans remain distracted by trivial domestic squabbles.

What makes this situation even more alarming is that Congress—the very institution designed by our Constitution to provide checks and balances—cannot or will not stop this destructive behavior. Trump's impeachable actions are displayed in public, yet the lawmakers of Congress do nothing. This congressional paralysis represents another glaring example of how polarized America has become—nobody is willing to protect America itself, only their own political agendas.

I find myself wondering where America is heading in the next century. Is America's era of global leadership soon to become a relic of the past? The signs are deeply troubling, and the trajectory appears to be one of decline rather than renewal. This is the madness currently engulfing America, ladies and gentlemen—true madness indeed.