Which Way Is America Heading?
At this historic moment, as climate-change-induced resource wars appear imminent and spontaneous revolutionary fervor is erupting around the world, it would be good for the people of America, and those who want to be America, to do a bit of soul searching. It would be wise to take this opportunity to ask some fundamental questions about US foreign policy which are continually ignored. Why do we maintain an all-but-irreversible worldwide system of over 1,000 military bases, stations and outposts? Why do our troops serve on the soil of 175 of the 192 member states of the United Nations? And why, at a time when our national debt is spiraling ominously out of control, are we spending more on our military than all the rest of the nations of the world combined?
Of course, the deeper psychological question at the heart of all this is: What are we so afraid of? Why are we trying so hard to control everything? Why can’t we relax and be less fearful of the other? And then, finally, there is this inspiring and uplifting question to ponder: Can we rediscover our ideals as a nation and learn once again how to cast that magical soft-power spell which so enthralled most of humanity in the decades after World War II?
Or is it too late now?
72 comments on the article “Which Way Is America Heading?”
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Kanienkeha:ka
First of all, you're little "Can we rediscover our ideals as a nation and learn once again how to cast that magical soft-power spell which so enthralled most of humanity in the decades after World War II?" is a myth!
NO such place ever existed but perhaps in the minds of the white middle class.
This country was founded upon the genocide of the indigenous peoples of this continent.
Oh how quickly we forget.
Today, it was stated in the NY times that the American military's code name for Bin Laden was Geronimo.
If you can't see the connection between the colonization of the indigenous people of this continent and what is happening in the 175 countries you mention, then I suggest you do a bit more research into the true history or go back to that hegemonic slumber of your own privilege.
Wake up people and smell your own legacy of European imperialism and colonization! And yes - even though you might call yourselves American, you are still Europeans in the eyes of the rest of the world!
Kanienkeha:ka
First of all, you're little "Can we rediscover our ideals as a nation and learn once again how to cast that magical soft-power spell which so enthralled most of humanity in the decades after World War II?" is a myth!
NO such place ever existed but perhaps in the minds of the white middle class.
This country was founded upon the genocide of the indigenous peoples of this continent.
Oh how quickly we forget.
Today, it was stated in the NY times that the American military's code name for Bin Laden was Geronimo.
If you can't see the connection between the colonization of the indigenous people of this continent and what is happening in the 175 countries you mention, then I suggest you do a bit more research into the true history or go back to that hegemonic slumber of your own privilege.
Wake up people and smell your own legacy of European imperialism and colonization! And yes - even though you might call yourselves American, you are still Europeans in the eyes of the rest of the world!
Anonymous
yikkkessssss
You are more then 125% correct
but
Present is the point of power my friend
Anonymous
yikkkessssss
You are more then 125% correct
but
Present is the point of power my friend
Anonymous
Too harsh. Learn to add instead of subtract.
Anonymous
Too harsh. Learn to add instead of subtract.
Anonymous
Whats wrong with coming from European blood? You act like its a crime to be white. Everyone should be proud of their heritage no matter what it is. Yes, imperialism and colonization are terrible but thats the current reality for the past couple thousand years. Wouldn't you rather be a colonizer than a colonizee if you had the choice?
With billions living on the planet and limited resources we will naturally fight due to our animalistic heritage. Colonization is simple an efficient way to win that fight and provide your people with a great standard of living at the expense of others. Terrible system but I feel thats how it is and always will be. Everyone is not equal and granting freedom as we do in the USA allows the weak to be ruled by the strong. That will continue until the balance between have and have nots hits a breaking point when a revolution will ensue. More socialist policies will be enacted until the flow goes back the other way.
But, back to the main topic, what is different about European blood that created a desire to go out explore on boats, conquer foreign lands as to rape and pillage the lands? Is this the sick truth in evolution? Or is this a learned habit that can be turned off?
Anonymous
Whats wrong with coming from European blood? You act like its a crime to be white. Everyone should be proud of their heritage no matter what it is. Yes, imperialism and colonization are terrible but thats the current reality for the past couple thousand years. Wouldn't you rather be a colonizer than a colonizee if you had the choice?
With billions living on the planet and limited resources we will naturally fight due to our animalistic heritage. Colonization is simple an efficient way to win that fight and provide your people with a great standard of living at the expense of others. Terrible system but I feel thats how it is and always will be. Everyone is not equal and granting freedom as we do in the USA allows the weak to be ruled by the strong. That will continue until the balance between have and have nots hits a breaking point when a revolution will ensue. More socialist policies will be enacted until the flow goes back the other way.
But, back to the main topic, what is different about European blood that created a desire to go out explore on boats, conquer foreign lands as to rape and pillage the lands? Is this the sick truth in evolution? Or is this a learned habit that can be turned off?
Anonymous
Honey bun, society is what created such stiff competition for resources. Our species is designed to compete for resources, yeah, all animals are, but the point of civilization/agriculture was to make sure we'd actually have enough food etc. to get by when the world shat on us. The problem with Europeans is that their oldest ancestors decided to migrate to an absolute crap part of the world, and the rest of the earth provides way better food resources year-round. No food seems like a pretty good reason to me to try to control the resources of the rest of the earth...
Anonymous
Honey bun, society is what created such stiff competition for resources. Our species is designed to compete for resources, yeah, all animals are, but the point of civilization/agriculture was to make sure we'd actually have enough food etc. to get by when the world shat on us. The problem with Europeans is that their oldest ancestors decided to migrate to an absolute crap part of the world, and the rest of the earth provides way better food resources year-round. No food seems like a pretty good reason to me to try to control the resources of the rest of the earth...
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