The U.S. just can't help itself from sticking it's nose in every trouble spot around the world. Consequently, we have created many enemies leading to an event like 9/11 and who knows what's to follow. We've squandered lives and treasure in places like Vietnam and Afghanistan only to come up empty. Now we're involving ourselves in Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Why not let Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan fight it's own battles? They may actually prevail and we can focus on our own issues which are many.
I don't think we should be isolationist, but I don't think we should be the world's policeman either. The UN was supposed to perform that function, but that also fell upon us as we were the only functioning economy after WWII. Clinton turned NATO into an offensive alliance after the USSR fell, but we carry that burden as well, as nobody wants to carry the financial burden. The so-called "Peace Dividend" turned into a tire around our neck that the world has recently set on fire. The current administration is so weak and incompetent that the world of nations now see us as a target and not much else.
It's really about power, or showing power for some. It's kind of like a person's head getting too big for their body, and they go off balance . That's just what happens, our country is way off balance. It's all too easy to get a big head, recently I was offered a job, and I felt so important being offered this job. I ended up turning it down because I knew accepting it was more about my ego than doing good for people. We can get so flattered, so self-important, way too easily if we can't retain a good serving of humble pie. Some of it's done in that name of "helping others", and I can't say I'm against that, or sharing with others, sort of being a good neighbor. But wisdom needs to be used if it's in the people calling the shots, and hopefully in those voting them into a job.
I think at its core it is all about the profits to be made by the few who make the decisions. Profits at the expense of everyone else. It was probably sold in the beginning as a way to keep Europe from starting yet another World War. Eisenhower tried to warn people at the time as well as years later as President.
And Eisenhower warned Kennedy, who also tried to warn people, and he was killed before he could change anything. There is a huge difference between trading with other countries, and sending in our troops to try and control what happens politically in another country. We need to take care of our country and our people and our borders , and put America first.
This is why Trump has so much support...because so many Americans think as he does...'Put America First'. The British should do the same. We had an empire and, although many think colonialism is wrong, there is no doubt that those countries benefited. Then they demanded their independence and we gave it to them. However, they wanted us out but they also wanted our financial help. They still depend on us for aid and we are bombarded with television ads begging us for money, even though the government gives huge amounts. The people of America and Britain (am I allowed to say 'whites'?) have the ability to make money. We make things which people want to buy, we provide services which others are happy to pay for. There is no reason why the people of other countries can't do the same, but they think our money grows on trees and we should share it with them. Zimbabwai/ Rhodesia was a thriving agricultural land under white rule, but they slaughtered the farmers and forced them to leave. Then they suffered a famine, because there was no-one to farm the land!
I agree @Celia Jenkins, independent Nation's make better, common sense than dependent. Each has the lands to produce. We should still have trade agreements, but not this massive dependence on other's which has made so many weak. No one should be enabled to remain dependent. That's what's wrong with the welfare program in our country, and the government taking too much money and enabling people to rely on us more and more. I saw yesterday, if it's true or not, who knows, but Ted Cruz was suggesting a flat tax, 5%, period. A flat tax sounds good to me, maybe 5% (24 -25% is outrageous) is too high or low to what others think but seems better than government being able to raise it all the time, or why any person should pay more or less. I'm just thinking outloud and my thoughts are not always the good ones On the trade agreements, I agree 100% with what @Jacob Petersheim said on trade not including our military going into other countries, especially when our country needs to be protected. It's time we smartened up. We have a constitution and laws, we need get back to that for a start. and first above all else, close our freakin borders!! second, send illegals back as quick as we can find them!! That will take probably the rest of the life I might have left nice job joe
I would applaud. That would be an extreme choice, but perhaps it would balance out the direction we've taken over the past century. We would do well to lock down our border, focus on economic independence, and mind our own business for a change.
Exactly, then we could actually start "building back better"!! Americans relying on Americans first!!
To stop policing the world is not isolationism. I was behind Ron Paul who wanted military dis-entanglements and to trade instead. When the RNC disposed of him as a candidate and claimed he was an isolationist in the fake news broadcasts, I said to people; he was the last hope and any that follow like him will be taken out. Being militarily capeable does not mean we have to use our might. And with Biden ,we are not even capeable; just flushing what is left of our resources. The world no longer fears the US might and all hell seems to be breaking loose with our government positioned to end us. JMHO
I did too, and that's the God's honest truth! I could afford a lot more groceries too, not that I'm starving, but cheaper cuts of meat now! Gasoline prices too! Don't they know who I am,