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The Forum > Article Comments > America’s primacy: Is decline imminent? > Comments

America’s primacy: Is decline imminent? : Comments

By Russell Trood, published 15/6/2005

Russell Trood argues the US must place its power, purpose and primacy on a new foundation.

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No country’s policies are always correct, if anything, we are lucky if they are regularly correct, or at least once-in-a-blue-moon correct. To excuse a government’s behavior because it thinks that what it is doing is right is very dangerous. Hitler’s government thought that what they were doing was right. It was not. Stalin’s government thought the same. It was not. Castro believes that what he is doing is right. It is not. And Bush believes that what he is doing is right. It is not. Governments make mistakes. In the case of a country like the US, given its size, influence and importance, its actions have colossal impact. The US government cannot afford to just be doing something for the sake of doing, as you suggest. The US, and all countries, needs to be very careful about its actions.

I think you need to expand your views a bit more and acquire an educated view of world affairs. The excuses you have given for America’s behaviour show that you have not really given much thought to the state of the world today and that perhaps you have overdosed on Bush-friendly mediatic propaganda. Bush is not the devil, but he is no angel either. No one is above criticism. Not even the US. America has more friends than you think, but its behavior lately has ensured that, increasingly, friends don’t answer phone calls very often, and may even pretend not to be at home sometimes. A little humility would go a long way. For France, the US and indeed most Western countries.
Posted by Polo, Thursday, 16 June 2005 9:43:35 PM
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I think your approach to anti-americanism is naïve and rather arrogant. A lot of people are anti-american for a reason, not only to pass the time. True, some of their arguments are biased and often times exaggerated, but it was people who held those “humorous” views who attacked the US in 2001. To ignore them is just folly.

You really believe that American citizens are the decision makers? If they were, America would not be afflicted with 3rd –world type illnesses whilst passing itself off as a – or rather THE- 1st world nation par excellence. Poverty, death penalty, low education standards, no national health care, rising crime, and a long list of etceteras. If Americas were truly the decision makers, these problems would have been addressed a long time ago.

The UN is a place to discus issues between nations. All of its decisions are agreed upon in a vote- they are called Resolutions, which given the nature of the UN, they are not legally binding, only morally so. The only un-democratic part of the UN is the fact that 5 major countries are in the Security Council and hold the power of veto. One of those countries is the US. The US cannot expect for the UN or indeed any other foreign body to pass only US-friendly policies. Why should they? What is good for America is not necessarily good for the world. Examples? There are thousands. During WWI & WWII it was good for America not to get involved. And yet events forced them to do so after millions of people were killed. Had the US intervened sooner, millions would not have died. These days, Kyoto. The US does not have a divine mandate to unilaterally destroy the environment for profit. Bush’s cronies will try of course, it is human nature to do so. However, no amount of propaganda can change the facts. The environment needs protection, not just from the US, but from the industrialised world.
Posted by Polo, Thursday, 16 June 2005 9:45:01 PM
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In studying the United States and it's overall great success, you have to remember our heritage and very reason for American existence. Accordingly to American Founder and Virginia Governor Patrick Henry, "It can not be stated too strongly ot too often, that this great nation was not founded on religion...but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ...for this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity and freedom of worship here."

In short, despite our social and economic challenges, in spite of challenges that the USA might occur...this nation was founded on non-denominational, Christian principles. This ideology today, greatly impacts who we select in leadership areas, what we do for recreation, and how we live our very lives. President Ronald Reagan and Presidnet George W.Bush were elected due to thier strong spiritual faith.

be blessed, in Christ

CH (LTC) Jeff Burnsed
Posted by chjeff, Monday, 20 June 2005 12:57:47 PM
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Having just spent a week in four US States last week, from California to Indiana, I observed that this is a vast and complex federation of different peoples. Its resilience and intelligence are not to be underestimated. Any attempt to stereotype the country is banal.

America is not finished. Its adaptation to new realities in Europe and Asia will be pivotal this century. I think its ability to re-tack after serious administrative and political failures is its strength. Americans are not stupid.

If the USA disintegrates, we go with it. I think internal degeneration from moral failure, political correctness, double talk and bloated unresponsive bureaucracies are major systemic errors that need addressing in all Western countries. Foreign policy needs to be subtler.

Every country should be judged by how it treats its poor as well as the poor of other countries such as by trade initiatives. A failure to address this sows the seed of public discord and thus disintegration. As for "ruler breakers", every nation has its own blind spots and we Australians are included. Short and deficient memories, lack of knowledge of history and national narcissism contribute to this myopic attitude.

Travel broadens minds and reduces the likelihood of stereotypic responses.
Posted by Odysseus, Wednesday, 29 June 2005 5:12:43 PM
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