'08 candidates merely replaying the same imperialistic tune
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Opinion
Let me begin this article by summarizing American foreign policy in one sentence. We are an imperialist world power that has the authority to do whatever we please.
One only needs to look at the words and actions of our government in the past few months to see this dangerous philosophy in action.
Take, for example, the Bush administration's insistence that Iran is supplying arms and technology to Iraqi insurgents. Although there exists little to no evidence to support this claim, let's assume that it's true.
America is a foreign power that invaded Iraq without a declaration of war and is now in the midst of a bloody military occupation with no foreseeable end.
While the U.S. continues to make accusations, pressure Iran and increase its violent rhetoric towards the country, the underlying moral philosophy of the administration is laid bare. The basic assumption of our government and, unfortunately, of many U.S. citizens is that we are a world power that can invade and attack with impunity and if another country interferes, then they too will face consequences. When we accuse Iran of assisting insurgents we are implying that we are the good guys and they are the bad guys.
However, we have already preemptively attacked two Middle Eastern countries, destabilized the entire region and threatened Iran with sanctions and bombs while operating under the guise of what we have learned to call the "War on Terror."
While Iran may not be a model democratic state, it hasn't committed nearly as many atrocities as our own government has in the past seven years.
Although the U.S. government has meddled in foreign affairs, assassinated leaders and installed brutal military dictators, we still act with the notion that, because we are the United States of America, we are enabled and even obligated to do such things. Essentially the government acts as if it owns the world.
Unfortunately, I find this exact same attitude in nearly every one of our presidential candidates.
One only needs to look at the words and actions of our government in the past few months to see this dangerous philosophy in action.
Take, for example, the Bush administration's insistence that Iran is supplying arms and technology to Iraqi insurgents. Although there exists little to no evidence to support this claim, let's assume that it's true.
America is a foreign power that invaded Iraq without a declaration of war and is now in the midst of a bloody military occupation with no foreseeable end.
While the U.S. continues to make accusations, pressure Iran and increase its violent rhetoric towards the country, the underlying moral philosophy of the administration is laid bare. The basic assumption of our government and, unfortunately, of many U.S. citizens is that we are a world power that can invade and attack with impunity and if another country interferes, then they too will face consequences. When we accuse Iran of assisting insurgents we are implying that we are the good guys and they are the bad guys.
However, we have already preemptively attacked two Middle Eastern countries, destabilized the entire region and threatened Iran with sanctions and bombs while operating under the guise of what we have learned to call the "War on Terror."
While Iran may not be a model democratic state, it hasn't committed nearly as many atrocities as our own government has in the past seven years.
Although the U.S. government has meddled in foreign affairs, assassinated leaders and installed brutal military dictators, we still act with the notion that, because we are the United States of America, we are enabled and even obligated to do such things. Essentially the government acts as if it owns the world.
Unfortunately, I find this exact same attitude in nearly every one of our presidential candidates.
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Brook
posted 2/11/08 @ 10:44 PM EST
This article is typical of a Ron Paul supporter. Even if Mr. Paul did win the White House, he doesn't have any support in Congress for his policies. Jimmy Carter would be his sole supporter after 4 years, because Mr. (Continued…)
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