Bolivia Suspends U.S. Anti-Drug Efforts

[carolaa]

I was not trying to knock on US. After all, I immigrated to the US for better way of life for my family. Yet, I will be the first one to tell you that I am somewhat disappointed as far as the present condition the country is in right now.

I have heard other immigrants say the same thing - this is not the same America that they were proud to leave everything behind and become full-fledged citizens for. Things have changed in the last 30 years, and they are not ready to leave yet, but they are watching to see how things go.

[Dr. Shane]

There are two American really. The American heartland, and America as a nation.

I don't buy into that at all. There are not two Americas. There is one. We have one President, one currency, one military and one Constitution. America is a mixed bag of good and bad. That is true of any family, group, organization, company or country. We have to take a look at all issues, place them in the balance and make the call. When I do that, I see America as being better than other places I might have an opportunity to live. I am glad I am here and have no plans to leave.

[fccool]

Carola,

I don't think that in the past century, US had a pure Capitalism system... Here's a definition of pure capitalism:

Quote:

Capitalism is the economic system in which the means of production are distributed to openly competing profit-seeking private persons and where investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are predominantly determined through the operation of a market economy in which anyone can participate in supply and demand and form contracts with each other, rather than by central economic planning.

Capitalism has to be based on real Credit... not fractional reserve based credit, which is really a bogus credit. Good credit is the one that comes out of people's savings. The bad one, is the one that comes out of fractional reserve debt surfing. On top of that, the PURE Capitalism has to have no or minimal central planning by the government.

Here's another definition of a system I'll leave up to you to guess:

Quote:

a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government,and severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

Here are also some of the attributes of such system:

*** Nationalism and super-patriotism with a sense of historic mission.

*** Aggressive militarism even to the extent of glorifying war as good for the national or individual spirit.

*** Use of violence or threats of violence to impose views on others

*** Authoritarian reliance on a leader or elite not constitutionally responsible to an electorate.

*** Cult of personality around a charismatic leader.

*** Reaction against the values of Modernism, usually with emotional attacks against liberalism.

*** Exhortations for the homogeneous masses of common folk to join voluntarily in a heroic mission_often metaphysical and romanticized in character.

*** Dehumanization and scapegoating of the enemy_seeing the enemy as an inferior or subhuman force, perhaps involved in a conspiracy that justifies eradicating them.

*** Elements of national socialist ideological roots, for example, ostensible support for the industrial working class or farmers; but ultimately, the forging of an alliance with an elite sector of society.

*** Abandonment of any consistent ideology in a drive for state power.

Can you guess what the above one describes? While I'm not suggesting that US today fits the description, but I think we are well on our way.

[Dr. Shane]

What I'm talking about that has been happening for the last 30 years, give or take, is this interventionist philosophy where we have gradually turned into the bully of the world.

That started in 1823, a little more than 30 years ago, with the Monroe Doctrine. Teddy Roosevelt added to it in 1904 with the Roosevelt Corollary. Then came WW1 and we went clear out of our hemisphere to meddle in wars that we had nothing to do with. That, of course, led to WW2. Then came the UN and the Cold & Korean Wars. The Vietnam War overlapped with the Cold War. So there is a very long history of America having an interventionist role in the world. That is not to say I support it but rather to point out that this is not something that just came about in the last 30 years.

[carolaa]

Can you guess what the above one describes? While I'm not suggesting that US today fits the description, but I think we are well on our way.

I don't know, but it sounds like the Nazis. And, you're right, a lot of it sounds too close to home.

[Woody]

Quote:

Things have changed in the last 30 years, and they are not ready to leave yet, but they are watching to see how things go.

I hope they keep watchin very closely. Good luck.

[carolaa]

Originally Posted By: carolaa

What I'm talking about that has been happening for the last 30 years, give or take, is this interventionist philosophy where we have gradually turned into the bully of the world.

That started in 1823, a little more than 30 years ago, with the Monroe Doctrine. Teddy Roosevelt added to it in 1904 with the Roosevelt Corollary. Then came WW1 and we went clear out of our hemisphere to meddle in wars that we had nothing to do with. That, of course, led to WW2. Then came the UN and the Cold & Korean Wars. The Vietnam War overlapped with the Cold War. So there is a very long history of America having an interventionist role in the world. That is not to say I support it but rather to point out that this is not something that just came about in the last 30 years.

Yes, of course, you're right. We started doing it soon after George Washington urged us not to in his farewell address. But it seems to be more purposeful in recent history.

[fccool]

I don't know, but it sounds like the Nazis. And, you're right, a lot of it sounds too close to home.

[carolaa]

I wonder what those statistics would be today.

[phkrause]

And don't forget Ho Chi Min in N Vietnam at the time. And we also supported Iran, etc etc etc

pk