My main question is how does one fix this? (How does one correct the foreign policy of America?)
Being a politician is one thing, but they usually can't bring much change since nearly all of them play the game and keep the status quo--except Ron Paul, and probably a few others I don't know about. But, look at Ron Paul. I'd say he has strong support from the younger generation, who--I dunno--generally all seem to be disgruntled about how both parties handle everything. Other than that, he's largely ignored by the others, politicians and people, and/or he can't be emulated by the other politicians for various reasons (like losing votes, or pandering to other kept promises to vote on this or that in exchange for a vote on this or that, and many other reasons).
Perhaps, due to the many mistakes of today's politicians, maybe we'll see true change when this generation and the few ones nearby mine actually come to a higher influence within society (I'm 24). Perhaps, people today can remember and be aware of what's going on today and later bring a beneficial change as they climb the ladder of influence and power.
Every year, I've been let down constantly by our politicians--conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, and all in between. There's no change for the sake of the world, which in turn would be a great change for us, the people, Americans and all other peoples alike. Hardly any Americans (politicians included) see the correlation of our actions in foreign affairs with anti-American sentiment, hate, and terrorism. It's completely stupid; we've only been adding fuel to the fire, and we've been heading down a dangerous road. For every year that we maintain the status quo, we instill another year of that bad energy within many of the international community. What are we doing? We aren't that stupid are we? (/me chuckles ruefully).
When I watched Obama and his followers chant their "CHANGE" mantra, I was compelled to listen. Hey, this is something different, ok, but how are we going to change things, Mr. Obama? Well, he really didn't--at least on a foreign level, and I wouldn't say what he's been doing internally is anything good, but we'll see--maybe it will be, I'm not sure honestly. Health care? OK. Addressing climate change and stepping up to the plate and being a true leader on the matter? Don't think so. Challenging Israel to actually head towards the path of peace? All rhetoric, no action. Shifting gears away from our militaristic policies in foreign countries' affairs? He's actually encouraged that (increased involvement Afghanistan's civil war, and continued drone attacks in Pakistan). Where's the change? Where's the path to freedom and liberty? Why do we still maintain the status quo? Why are still strongly supporting despotic and essentially authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, and many others? Why are still playing this dangerous and ridiculous game of threatening and sanctioning Iran? That only draws its people towards stronger dependence and support for their government. Haven't we learned the effects of sanctions on Iraq after 1991? No. We haven't learned a damn thing, and we will continue to damn ourselves.
Ah, but Obama is different, and he's new, and he had all these great ideas, but like I said on another thread a month ago, the old guys sat him down and said, "This is how it works." Now, it takes a strong and internationally-aware character to say, "I disagree, and I won't go down that road, Mr. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. CIA director, Mr. DIA director, and so on and so forth." But that takes huevos grandes (mas o menos: guts
). The man means well, but I don't think he's the internationally aware, highly intelligent, and brave leader America needs in order to shift the gears for the future security and benefit of its citizens and also the world (but I must say, he does have the charisma, and look at that smile...).He's had many opportunities to stand up and say, "This must change, and I WILL change it." To shock the world for the better, to bring America back into the status it once enjoyed as an overall respected and well-liked nation by many, to motivate other countries to seriously adjust their countries to counter the negative aspects of climate change, human rights issues, and promoting democracy within themselves, to once restore this nation to the root of its firm belief in freedom and justice. But he hasn't done any of this, and I don't see any change for the better in the near future from him. It's just another day, just another life, and pretty much same damn president with a different face.
As for changing America, that should happen from within. A life of politics, government, peaceful protests, and you name it, but true change for the better needs to happen soon, or things will just get worse. Change will occur when others can convince the large majority of this reality. People need to wake up from their peaceful, self-imposed dreams and seriously challenge the political system as well as their fellow Americans. The overwhelming amount of complacency and indifference within America is disgusting and appalling. The large lack of self-education and the festering grip of ignorance on its populace is immense. This country needs some kind of peaceful cultural revolution. Who can bring that about? Where are our leaders that will truly inspire others to change America? Where is our today's version of Martin Luther King Jr. fighting for international justice and democracy, fighting for the future of America? Where are the people who would rally to such a cry? "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." But not just for us, but for everyone. Why do we directly and indirectly support the bad deals America hands out to the majority of the world's people? Are we not better than this? Do we sincerely not care about our fellow human beings? Do we really need to see the world above and beyond the lines of nationalism in order to bring about this kind of change? But just nationalism, nearly all self-imposed lines and divisions that we still cling to and which severely restrict our feelings of compassion, solidarity, and empathy need to be dropped. Why must we burden ourselves with such cumbersome and divisive thought? Love of one's country and its people is a great thing, but why stop there? Why not extend it our love to our fellow human beings? And why don't we demand more of the same from our government?
I have a hope that we can certainly, but this has yet to happen...
