Actions have consequences

Submitted by Michael Elvin (United States), Nov 5, 2003 at 14:34

By its actions, America would seem to be promoting a more authoritarian future as well as a more divisive and unstable one. We bring about acquiescence toward our unilateral actions, counting on the support of a number of governments that do not enjoy the mandate of their own populations. You will note that poll results in the "street" in the UK, Italy, Australia, Russia, etc. are overwhelmingly against involvement in what are seen as being America's problems and America's belligerence. One would expect there to be a backlash at the polls, and expect this to be more likely the longer the Iraqi adventure festers short of complete victory.

We notice already in places like Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia that popular discontent with pro-US policies is installing governments less amenable to buckling under to US pressures. What is to become, in the passage of time, to places like Jordan and Egypt, with governments glued into place mainly by American dollars? Who is likely to come after their current leaders?

I think we need to make more friends. In Asia we see the results of our imperious attitude during the financial meltdown of 1997, where we offered no lifeline to nations suffering from WTO strictures and poorly drawn rules on the global movement of money. Now these same countries are beginning to realign around China, not us. This outcome could have been avoided.

So do we do whatever we want, and some day bring about a world where the US and Israel are all alone, and everyone else has aligned against us? If so, what are we accomplishing?

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