Should America involve itself in everything?

[Fenner]

I didn't post this in the News forum because frankly that draws some pretty wild responses.

I'm curious to know/understand how people from other countries and the United States feel about this issue.

When something big happens in another country people tend to look and see what America is doing. My thought is, sometimes it's best we involve ourselves and sometimes not.

How do you feel about this issue? I am begging for this not to be, let's bash The Americans thread, I would like it to be an open discussion, respecting others opinions. I know it's possible so please respect that. Thank you.

 

[kennethcadwell]

America has always been looked at by many as a country to base their economy from because of how successful America has become, so a lot of time these other countries ask for our help to get their country thriving to.

On the subject when we see others suffering in a country, from tyranny, oppression, persecution, terrorism, and pestilence/hunger than yes we are to involve our selves. Our Lord gives clear instruction that we are to help those who face these situations, and that we are not to let mans philosophy or our own issues cloud our judgment to not help these people.

 

[tourist]

I didn't post this in the News forum because frankly that draws some pretty wild responses.

I'm curious to know/understand how people from other countries and the United States feel about this issue.

When something big happens in another country people tend to look and see what America is doing. My thought is, sometimes it's best we involve ourselves and sometimes not.

How do you feel about this issue? I am begging for this not to be, let's bash The Americans thread, I would like it to be an open discussion, respecting others opinions. I know it's possible so please respect that. Thank you.

I believe that this country is a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. Proud to be an American.

 

[Nautilus]

I think America needs to focus on itself for a bit and quit wasting time/funds on other countries battles.

 

[Fenner]

America has always been looked at by many as a country to base their economy from because of how successful America has become, so a lot of time these other countries ask for our help to get their country thriving to.

On the subject when we see others suffering in a country, from tyranny, oppression, persecution, terrorism, and pestilence/hunger than yes we are to involve our selves. Our Lord gives clear instruction that we are to help those who face these situations, and that we are not to let mans philosophy or our own issues cloud our judgment to not help these people.

I agree with you and Natilus at the same time. Like Tourist said we are a beacon of hope. I do hope we step in the Iraq persecution of Christians.

 

[Esanta]

It depends on what that involvement constitutes, the circumstances of any situation wherein involvement is considered, the potential consequences of that involvement and the motive for that involvement to begin with.

It's an extremely complex consideration.

To the truly democratic thinker, a direct referendum of the populace of the US is the best answer, but even that position assumes the American citizens' right to decide whether to interfere in foreign places.

 

[kennethcadwell]

I agree with you and Natilus at the same time. Like Tourist said we are a beacon of hope. I do hope we step in the Iraq persecution of Christians.

I do believe there needs to be more focus on home issues.

Truth is though there has been, and instead of congress and the president working together they are playing a blame game, taking vacations, and turning down or not even looking at ballots rather good or bad.

Then you have issues where the president is over stepping congress to pass bills for inept action, so you get some bad bills pass. While other bills like raise in minimum wage or equal pay for women which would help middle class working Americans just sit on congress desk because they won't vote on it.

The whole system needs to be revamped, with fresh new faces in both congress and presidency.

 

[tourist]

I do believe there needs to be more focus on home issues.

Truth is though there has been, and instead of congress and the president working together they are playing a blame game, taking vacations, and turning down or not even looking at ballots rather good or bad.

Then you have issues where the president is over stepping congress to pass bills for inept action, so you get some bad bills pass. While other bills like raise in minimum wage or equal pay for women which would help middle class working Americans just sit on congress desk because they won't vote on it.

The whole system needs to be revamped, with fresh new faces in both congress and presidency.

Especially, the last sentence of your post.

 

[Desdichado]

America has had no foreign policy for a long time. No policy means no prioritization. No prioritization means a lackadaisical and nonsensical approach to foreign relations and possible foreign intervention.

The US should not leave a power vacuum abroad. At the same time, we owe other countries a greater degree of stability and predictability in our external affairs.

I am not the man to draft it, but I think it would make sense to have a modern equivalent of a Monroe Doctrine.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
(Romans 15:1 NASB)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:4 ESV)

"Love your neighbor as yourself."
(Matthew 22:39)

 

[Atwood]

Methinks that ol' George Washington was right; the USA would do well not to stick its nose in others' business. Trying to be the Messiah of the world is folly.

 

[Esanta]

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
(Romans 15:1 NASB)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:4 ESV)

"Love your neighbor as yourself."
(Matthew 22:39)

Iraq Death Toll Reaches 500,000 Since Start Of U.S.-Led Invasion, New Study Says

What is the real death toll in Iraq? Jonathan Steele and Suzanne Goldenberg report | World news | The Guardian

 

[cinder]

I think the biggest problem with America's involvement overseas in recent years is that we don't have a plan to finish what we start. We seem to think that if you overthrow a dictator or step in with military action to stop some tyranny everyone else in that country is a nice reasonable person fully ready and capable of participating in a democratic government. Too often the issues in a country go much deeper than we realize and we end up making a mess we don't know how to fix and things get messy and we abandon the project because it is costly and we can't point a finger at someone and say they are the cause of all that is wrong.

I'm not saying we shouldn't get involved but our policymakers need to have a better understanding of what they are getting themselves into before we get involved overseas. Too often the mess we leave behind is little better than the mess we came in to sort out. Perhaps it would be a good first move to include a section on "what we will do when the bad guys are defeated and everything is in chaos" to all of our international involvement plans.

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Nope, can't even get our own house in order....how we gonna help anyone else do it?

 

[Roh_Chris]

This is from an outsider's perspective so I could be wrong.

Being a superpower founded on Christian values, the world looks up to the USA to step in when things go awry. That was the role played by the USA in the early 20th Century and before it. These days that perception has been diminished by politics and greed. The USA's involvement in some conflicts were driven by politics or a greed for natural resources. Even today, there are some sporadic incidents where the USA has involved itself owing to humanitarian compulsions - e.g. the recent bombing of ISIS in Iraq to protect the Yazidi and Christian communities. However, there are certain other conflicts where it was involved because of questionable motives - e.g. the ousting of Saddam Hussein under the pretext of manufacturing WMD's.

So, in my opinion, it has to be on a case-to-case basis and must be solely driven by humanitarian considerations. Even in such circumstances, it would be better to get the UN Security Council onboard so that the entire financial burden does not rest only on USA's shoulders.

 

[Donkeyfish07]

That's actually a really good answer ROH.

 

[Roh_Chris]

That's actually a really good answer ROH.

Thank you a lot, Donkeyfish!

 

[ChandlerFan]

I would say no, and the U.S. certainly has stepped into some situations where they didn't belong in the past. I do believe that we need to be involved in what's happening in Iraq currently, though.

 

[sassylady]

I've always felt we should, and in particular Israel. So many have no clue to the heritage we have from the Jewish people. I hate to see our country not doing more to support Israel.

I think anymore though I wonder at helping other countries when we have so many people in need right here in our country. You hear about groups going to other countries to bring dental and medical help, but people here don't get that kind of help so easily.

 

[Fenner]

I know what you mean Sassy Lady. I was watching the news yesterday and saw all of the stuff going on in Iraq. It made me think back when I was very young and the Iran hostage crisis. That's the first I ever remember hearing about the middle east and what I saw scared me.

I feel horrible for all of the innocent people in those countries, it's such a horrible thing. I try not to dwell on it because other than praying, I can't do much.

When I hear of these politicians arguing about this and that, it annoys me because of all the hurt that happens in this world. I tell myself over and over God is in charge.