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The Forum > Article Comments > The rising cost of America-centricity > Comments

The rising cost of America-centricity : Comments

By Ross Buncle, published 12/12/2007

In their crusading zeal, Americans seem unable to contemplate that democracy is not necessarily the best system for all societies.

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Define democracy. As there seems to be a variety of 'democracies', what would a real one look like?
Posted by K£vin, Wednesday, 12 December 2007 10:39:36 PM
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You don't know how refreshing it was to read this post. I am an American myself and a veteran of the Iraq war. I have become so disgusted with the rampant stupidity in my country that I actually moved out of it and currently reside in Costa Rica.

I was there during the initial invasion and stayed up until Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah. If we were there to bring peace love and understanding, I'd like to know why my unit (1st Marine Division) was given the order to make a bee line for the Kurdish oil fields in the north after the fall of Baghdad and not stay to keep it from being pillaged back to the middle ages.

I have been given alot of time to contemplate the current conga dance into fascism my country seems to be locked into. America has become an entity akin to a lovable neighborhood mutt who once saved kids in wells, but is now rabid and trained to kill by a crackhead. Those of us left who are aware of the rest of the world outside the television bubble are afraid and embarrassed.

So this "America-centricity" you speak of exists, I can verify it firsthand. But you are selling us short if you assume that there aren't people like me who are railing against this with everything they have. Even if it's just with our words.

Merlyn Trey Hunter
http://righteous-dissent.blogspot.com/
Posted by Merlyn, Monday, 17 December 2007 11:17:04 AM
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From the article “In my 60s counter-culture-influenced youth, I held a romantic torch for communism - not the Soviet totalitarian version, but a simplistic cartoonish brand of self-customised Marxism.”

It is said, if you are not a socialist at 20, you have not developed a heart but if you are not a conservative by 25, you have not developed a brain.

“Further, he claims that many other former East Germans are disillusioned with the reality of their deliverance from Marxist evil. These are people who have lived under both systems,”

It is “culture shock”. Nothing new or unique.

I experienced it coming from UK to Australia.
I have no doubt the collapse of USSR and the emergence of a precarious existence in a freer-market system of post communism does involve a hell of a shock.

It may take several generations for East Europeans to fully appreciate the benefits which come with western democracy, they have had 4 generations of governmental oppression to relinquish.

Such reservations come as no surprise and should not be seriously considered as “valid” comparison between the two systems of government.

I think the author is right, he is just an old leftie who has not evolved rationally to understand why the world is not the place of his wayward youth or why socialism is the abysmal failure which deprives people of the difference between living and existing (choice).

He probably empathises with those East Germans, nostalgic for a visit from the Stasi because he has not progressed as far as he thought he could go when young.

Socialism is the great leveler, it popularity evolves around being able to absolve people of their shortcomings by giving them an array of excuses for failure.

Capitalism offers individuals the opportunity to aspire to their full potentialbut with capitalism we see our lives restricted not by the dead hand of government but the limits of our own capabilities.

Many will find it easier to hide from such self realization just as many prefer to sit on the first of Maslow’s levels and never try to aspire.
Posted by Col Rouge, Monday, 17 December 2007 12:31:50 PM
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There are various flavours of democracy, some better than others, and some more suitable than others, however, the alternative of dictatorship is never better.

The US may have lost its way, but there is still a chance that with a new administration, things will change. There is a growing feeling there of their vulnerability and pariah status, and a desire to change.
Posted by Shadow Minister, Monday, 17 December 2007 3:39:05 PM
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