02-10-2008, 02:09 PM | #1 |
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Obama, McCain & the waning American...
Empire.
Item: The addage of "when American sneezes the rest of the world gets a cold" is quickly being pushed aside as our struggles with the effects of a sugar high likely won't have a fundamental impact on the economies of China, India, Brazil, Russia & other emerging markets. Item: Not counting Iraq & Afghanistan, we spend more on defense than all the rest of the world combined. (This can't help our economic position globally... or domestically. The most recent budget estimates are pushing the deficit toward $800B, or more than 25% of the total budget of $3.1T Who argues this isn't a poor position to be in, especially considering our persistent deficits during boom times?) Item: The conservative's conservative, Ron Paul, believes our military empire is spread too far, works against our long term global interests. As Americans we're going to have to grapple with the idea that America will not inevitably be the pre-eminent global economic, ideological & military power indefinitiely. All things change, and just as the "sun never sets on the British empire" was once the proud adage of a previous world power, our role as the world's policeman will almost certainly diminish, over the long term. McCain represents maintenance & expansion of a most robust American military prowess, while Obama has pushed the idea that we need to more positively engage other nations. Which approach is more sustainable long term? As for the early stages of a waning American empire & role as the sole superpower, it isn't all bad. Compared to the Brits, we're more likely to remain very strong on the world stage, and even when comparing the US & Britain, all is not so bad. According to at least one index measuring "standard of living", the Brits recently passed us... if only marginally. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle3137506.ece (Granted, our ability to produce & reside in 5000 square foot mini-castles isn't factored into this type of standard-of-living comparison.) Realistically, I think the future is not all bad, even if our position as the unquestioned, pre-eminent nation will likely diminish. Last edited by Ma'ake; 02-10-2008 at 02:19 PM. |
02-10-2008, 03:55 PM | #2 | ||
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When is Obama going to address the fact that most of the homocides in Iraq aren't of Amreican soldiers, but innocent civilians, by Islamic terrorists? Is he really so callous and self-absorbed? Quote:
(Students of history know that the British East Indian compnay began running India peacably at India's invitaton because India desired the fruits I have summarized above.)
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Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster Last edited by SeattleUte; 02-10-2008 at 03:57 PM. |
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02-10-2008, 04:34 PM | #3 | |
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02-10-2008, 04:37 PM | #4 |
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I think most thoughtful posters here (certainly not those who admit to posting stuff they don't really believe) would agree that I am being consistent.
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Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster |
02-10-2008, 04:58 PM | #5 | |
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You seem hurt that I admitted I don't believe all I post here. I am confident you don't believe all you post here, so at least one of us is honest about it. On a few occasions, I have said things with the sole purpose of "trolling." I decided pretty quickly I didn't care for trolling and wasn't particularly good at it anyways. If I post something I don't necessarily believe in now, it is generally because I am sorting arguments out in my own head and looking for a full discussion on the topic. If that hurts your feelings, I suggest you get over it and realize that this is just a message board. |
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02-10-2008, 05:19 PM | #6 | |
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02-10-2008, 05:21 PM | #7 | |
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Moreover, I have noted that a consequence of sudden withdrawal from Iraq would be enormous loss of American prestige as well as leaving innocent Iraqi citizens to the wolves. We put them at risk, and democrats as well as Republicans were a party to it. I can respect someone's argment that forthrightly addresses those consequences and says he or she is willing to live by them. Not someone who ignores them.
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Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster Last edited by SeattleUte; 02-10-2008 at 05:24 PM. |
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02-10-2008, 05:23 PM | #8 |
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I have a homework assignment for you Cali. It's pleasant. Watch The Killing Fields.
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Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster Last edited by SeattleUte; 02-10-2008 at 05:28 PM. |
02-10-2008, 05:35 PM | #9 |
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What wars are next, SU, with McCain as president?
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02-10-2008, 05:42 PM | #10 |
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I don't know. I hope none, though I imagine he may look at expanding the conflcit to punishing areas backing the resistance in Iraq. A prudent president would at least consider that, in my view.
I think we all can agree that this war was unnecessary and tragic because the cost-benefit calculous didn't support it, and Bush should have known that. But I think that running for president on a categorical plank for withdrawal is foolish. Of course, Nixon did that and it took him six years to keep his promise. Maybe Obama will learn easier said than done.
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Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster |
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