The current political division seems to center around one particular view of the world. There may be other important issues, but this issue seems to have the most mass and will influence all other decisions. Simply it is this: what is the role of the U.S. in world affairs.
There are two major perspectives from which there are myriad combinations--either you believe that the U.S. is in a unique position to guide world events and therefore it is our responsibility to take that leadership role; or you see the U.S. as one of hundreds of nations which has much to offer in the way of resources and ideas, but is no better suited to guide world affairs than any number of a dozen nations. Both of these are broad generalizations and both worldviews have merits and can be argued for.
Due to it's unique combination of diverse and plentiful resources, it's desire for openness and independence, and the benefit of remaining relativly untouched by the ravages of war, the U.S. has been able to accomplish things that no other nation has been able to accomplish. Some see this as a blessing from god, others the blessing of democracy, still others the blessing of capitalism, or some combination, and feel that this is worth sharing with others and work to help others attain the lifestyle we have.
As a teacher, I can empathize with the desire to share a good thing. But I began to question the ability of any one person or group of people to identify what is good for all a long time ago. This questioning evolved into critique and has over the last 10 years accelerated into cynical mistrust. While, I believe that the U.S. has much to offer the world, our government and our society, when presented with major decisions that have widespread impact, has taken the option that would most benefit us above all others.
I write this because over the next few days I'm going to begin looking at and responding to an email that I received some weeks ago which suggests that we as a society have a decision to make. The subject line presents the following choices to us: war or [economic] depression.
2 comments:
Written by Lou.
I do not know the etiquette or the subtleties of blogging and all that goes with it. I do know that Matt has invited comments and opinions.
The focus of his post is U.S. foreign policy. Outlining two extreme views is a starting point. Since the beginning of the cold war, accompanied by nuclear proliferation and spiced by radical societies led by despots and dictators, the world has bee a very complicated place. Of course, this is nothing new, but the breadth of knowledge of the world has grown with modern communications systems such as the one we use here. Now, everyone has some familiarity with what happens in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and so on. National policy considerations are so jumbled there is no single path which is better than another.
The U.S. Department of State has historically been an organization dominated by lofty thinkers, dreamers, others who generally do not fit into a bureaucratic box. All government branches and organizations have been guilty of waste, inefficiency, fraud and a myriad of other afflictions. But State has been often overlooked because most of its activities and programs take place outside the U.S. Failed programs are the norm, not the exception. State has developed a cozy relationship with the CIA over the years and together they have contributed to fiascoes beyond description but marginally known.
Foreign policy is little more than blind man's bluff. Trial and error are the facts while many will try to sell the notion of thoughtful and practical efforts are undertaken every day. American concepts of fair play, honor and trust are not common in other parts of the world. It is therefore next to impossible to deal openly with regimes which have an ethos of greed, trickery and deceit.
Foreign policy is an international game played at embassy cocktail parties and artful document writing. There is an arrogance within State, bolstered by success in the 50's, 60's and 70's where the good guys (us) triumphed over evil on many occasions.
All of this amounts to nothing unless we have a solid homeland with unity and tranquility to launch meaningful foreign efforts.
No one likes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But we cannot turn a blind eye to people from that region of the world who would love to obliterate us and all we stand for.
While foreign policy is important to us as a nation, the economy is more important to us as individuals. Domestic issues should dominate decisions Americans will be making over the next 5 months.
In an effort to stimulate some growth and improvement in the economy, I will now go and spend some money.
It is frightening to me that we may vote for another man who believes invading Iraq was a good idea. Do any of you believe that decision has better positioned the United States either in the mid-east or the world?
Do any of you believe we should now invade Iran?
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