Isolationism Is America's Answer, page 1
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reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 02:51 AM by SpeakerofTruth
During his State of the Union address, President Bush warned Americans about the lure of “isolationism.” The president mentioned “isolationism” or “isolation” four times, warning that the strategy offered only “false comfort” that would result in “danger and decline.” By contrast, the president explained his own position clearly: “The future security of America depends on…the end of tyranny in our world.” But who are these isolationists, and what is it that they are proposing?

Who says?

Why is it that people like Bush, and many others, seem to think an isolationist mentality is harmful to America? What do they base this on? America, before WWI, and after, were fairly isolationist. I don't see where America was in such trouble. Sure, there was the depression (1929-1939), but that wasn't solely for America,and it certainly wasn't attributable to any American isolationist tendencies.

Perhaps one of you would like to point out how "wrong" I am in regards to this. Honestly, I am open to CIVIL discussion on this. Tell me why I am wrong in thinking that America would be better off if it were to withdraw from the world scene. Any takers?


reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 04:44 AM by Freeborn
reply to post by SpeakerofTruth



The majority of US citizens favoured isolationism before and during WW1, however, America was drawn into WW1 in 1917.
After WW1 the majority opinion in US again was to stay out of "European" affairs. The US still had to trade with other countries which resulted in them eventually being drawn into WW11.
Post WW11 the US has insisted upon taking up the predominant role in world politics and affairs.
If the US now wishes to withdraw from this pre-eminent role then they must be self sustainable and cease trading with other countries. Unless this were achievable then the US would find themselves being drawn into world affairs and in turn disputes and conflicts.
Can the US maintain the standard of living etc it currently has without trade? I suspect not.
Could a NAU? Possibly.

Would the world be a worse place without US involvement in world affairs?
I suspect so.


reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 06:58 AM by Freeborn
reply to post by ChrisF231



The point is that the majority public opinion in the US was for non-involvement in world disputes, however as you have so clearly highlighted the US trade requirements necessitated continued involvement including military action, regardless of domestic public opinion.
Why would it be any different now or in the foreseeable future?



reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 07:34 AM by Freeborn
reply to post by manzoor



No, everyone doesn't hate USA. Yes, we disagree with some of their policies, not all of them.

Iraq, all USA fault. How come? Can't see how you can blame America for Shiites killing Sunni's and vice versa, that's obviously an ARAB thing.
Arabs killing each other because of their religion, not American.
Grow up and accept at least some responsibility for your own actions.

Yes, they should help clear it up, the hard thing is how without leaving Iraqi's and others slaughtering each other.

Apologies for getting slightly off thread but.....

[edit on 22-8-2007 by Freeborn]


reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 08:11 AM by InSpiteOf
Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth

Why is it that people like Bush, and many others, seem to think an isolationist mentality is harmful to America?


Its not that it would be harmfull to America, its that it would be harmful to the power class in America to become isolationist. You dont protect overseas Multi-National investments with a policy of isolation, you protect them with the USMC, the US Navy, and the US Air Force.

You glossed over the fact that people in the US want a policy of non-intervention, well I think that is exactly what the US needs. Non-intervention does not mean weakness in foreign policy, it just means not going to war, launching counterinsurgencies, and counter-intelligence programs abroad in order to protect Multi-National Corporate interests.

That is, afterall, at the heart of all US interventions.

BTW, for a relativly complete list of US interventions, this is a great link
Congressional Service Report, 2004

And people please, seperate the people from the government, as often times, their interests do not intersect.

Edit to add: You are correct, there is a strong contingent of "Blame America first" out there. Many of them have no Idea why they blame the US for the worlds problems, but on the flip side, many people (in places like south america, central america, and the middle east) understand the nasty dynamics of us intervention and US foreign capital penetration. Many people out there have experianced first hand the brutality of US state power, and the class interests it supports.

All in all, some are misguided, others have a very legitimate complaint.

[edit on 22-8-2007 by InSpiteOf]


reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 08:20 AM by manzoor
Originally posted by Freeborn
reply to
post by manzoor



No, everyone doesn't hate USA. Yes, we disagree with some of their policies, not all of them.

Iraq, all USA fault. How come? Can't see how you can blame America for Shiites killing Sunni's and vice versa, that's obviously an ARAB thing.
Arabs killing each other because of their religion, not American.
Grow up and accept at least some responsibility for your own actions.

Yes, they should help clear it up, the hard thing is how without leaving Iraqi's and others slaughtering each other.

Apologies for getting slightly off thread but.....

[edit on 22-8-2007 by Freeborn]


well you are right about the sunnis killing shia whos fault erm usa why because they invaded iraq and now look at it there mess and what i ment by hating america is there govt not most people most americans are not bad apart from a few.
and it is americas fault alot of things are like i mentioned help to the rise of osama why doesnt the news mention that. supporting iraq in the iran-iraq war millions left dead giving weapons and possibly wmds to israel threatning every muslim country in the mid east.
terrorism americas fault there would never of been terrorism if bin laden was not supported by america and then left.
why the muslims hate west george w bushs fault.
why do so many people have to die eg: soldiers in iraq and muslims(civlians) bushs what i dont understand why the hll the un allowed it from what i see un did nothing like they doing to iran puttign santions why bush said we dont even have evidence they are trying to make a bomb least they followed the nnpf (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) which israel doesnt follow.


reply posted on 22-8-2007 @ 08:22 AM by Freeborn
reply to post by InSpiteOf



I understand, and partially agree with your sentiments but I suspect it would be difficult to have a strong foreign policy without getting involved in world affairs.
Could the US sustain itself without trading? I don't know but I suspect not, and as result as soon as those trade interests are threatened you will become involved. It is self perpetuating.

The only way the US, or any nation for that matter, could be truly isolated would be by being self sufficient and not reliant on trade goods.

Could a NAU be self sustainable, it's certainly more likely but i'm not sure of Mexican and Canadian resources.

Would it be beneficial if the US were to be more isolationist, hell, if we all kept our noses out of each others businesses we'd probably just turn against each other internally and the world would be consumed with scores of small and petty arguements.
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