Optional, I'm not asking you to like me. Let's just get that straight, so that you needn't waste time informing me of your loathing. And, not that you have done, but none of you need waste time comparing my own country's (Argentina) past with yours. If you'd like to come "right back atcha" with a blow by blow of the corruption and civillian terror that have been hallmarks of my home country's governments, please go right ahead; I'll agree with your every point. If, however, you would deny that no other country craves global dominance as overtly as the US does; if you would deny that no other country has been either the direct participant in, instigator, or supporter of violence in and/or against other countries, then I submit that it is you who is in dire need of engaging in "critical thinking, introspection, or rational methods of evaluation". "Brainwashed"? You appear to be the working definition of it.
Perhaps you haven't taken history yet. Historically, America is the most democratic, benevolent, least aggressive superpower the world has ever seen. It is a fact, do some actual research between your poly-sci classes. The USA craves global dominance? That is silly. We crave freedom, and security.....not control. A major fault of ours is to think that all people like freedom as much as we do, and as such we have been too generous in trying to liberate the people who live in primitive cultures and lack the necessary education to choose effective leadership. The simple fact is that most countries are not evolved enough to handle the responsibility of self-governing, but we are doing our best to bring them into the 21st century, even if we have to break a few eggs in the making of a democratic omelette.
Oh, but Optional dearest, I am aware of history. Accutely aware. Don't dilly dally; If you ever wish to question the historical accuracy of my commentary, simply make the accusation and come prepared to defend it. Now, I already agreed with you that America is the nicest Empire (or "Superpower") to hit planet Earth, so we don't need to rehash that. The real debate is just how much more benevolent, how much less agressive. My guess would be not as much as your cudly bed time stories suggest. Wanna know what's really "silly"? The suggestion that you act from a desire for freedom. Wake up buddy! You already have all the freedom a human being could want! If that was really the goal then you past the finishing line a century ago. So you guys discovered the secret formula for successful society huh? And now you're gonna export it, by hook or by crook, to the rest of the world -- even if you have to lubricate the slide toward Americanism with a sea of blood. Of course, it's an anathema for an American to consider capitalism may not be all they spit-and-polish it up to be, so I won't even bother questioning whether there might be more appropriate models for various countries to adopt.
Wrong, Mondo. On two counts. First, you still have to sell it to Joe and Jenny Sixpack. Something, as the current crisis demonstrates, is proving irritatingly difficult. And two, just conquering the world -- laying it to waste, or grabbing the land -- is pointless. You need to be able to profit from it. Hence the slow and steady approach.
Hi amigo! Fine thanks! Although, I came perilously close to wrapping my car around a pole the other day. Thankfully, I survived. I guess someone must have been praying for me.
Son, you aren't my dearest. I can see that your communist/socialist conditioning is showing. More evidence of brainwashing.