hmm, we oughta retire (as the super power that is)
What does the US owe the world?
Okay, we are the only remaining military superpower. We have lots of money, we use lots of resources (including work). What do "we" owe the world in exchange for our good fortune?
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ummm.... the rest of the world might take exception to the idea that America's success is due to good fortune. SOme might argue that it was any number of factors that led to the US superpower status.
I guess you could start by redistributing the 25% of the world's wealth held my the US on a highest needs basis, until the proportion of US wealth held matches the US proportion of the world's population........
hope that doesn't come across snarky-- it's my honest opinion. Gotta run.....
I guess you could start by redistributing the 25% of the world's wealth held my the US on a highest needs basis, until the proportion of US wealth held matches the US proportion of the world's population........
hope that doesn't come across snarky-- it's my honest opinion. Gotta run.....
Nothing.
Whatever we give to others is a gift. By defination a gift isn't mandated.
Any time we wish we could close our boarders and become isolationist. We're likely about the only ones worldwide who could successfully do this.
I don't think this would be right but we owe the rest of the world nothing.
Debra Baker
Whatever we give to others is a gift. By defination a gift isn't mandated.
Any time we wish we could close our boarders and become isolationist. We're likely about the only ones worldwide who could successfully do this.
I don't think this would be right but we owe the rest of the world nothing.
Debra Baker
I don't agree with that.
Does that mean that our consumer mad society is not responsible for sweatshop, slave and child labor?
That our gas guzzling, pollution spewing, trash throwing lifestyle owes mother earth no respect?
That our weapon building, nerve gas selling, dictator propping Pentagon is unaccountable morally as well as fiscally?
Nope. I can't agree with that. We have driven miles down the wrong road.
We owe. Alot.
I'm working to make us step up and take responsibility.
I can feel the need upon my soul. Can't you?
Does that mean that our consumer mad society is not responsible for sweatshop, slave and child labor?
That our gas guzzling, pollution spewing, trash throwing lifestyle owes mother earth no respect?
That our weapon building, nerve gas selling, dictator propping Pentagon is unaccountable morally as well as fiscally?
Nope. I can't agree with that. We have driven miles down the wrong road.
We owe. Alot.
I'm working to make us step up and take responsibility.
I can feel the need upon my soul. Can't you?
wow Els, I can't compete with that post.... very well said
Who gets to decide who gets what and to whom what is owed??
I believe too much is wasted in American society. I fight this within my own family (and am regarded as a crackpot because I don't like the waste) But I don't think it translates into us owing anyone.
I think it's deeper than that we, as parents, much do the hard work of nagging and teaching and living by example.
I don't want some draconian governmental org. telling me what I can and can't do and that I owe someone something by virtue of being born American.
DB
I believe too much is wasted in American society. I fight this within my own family (and am regarded as a crackpot because I don't like the waste) But I don't think it translates into us owing anyone.
I think it's deeper than that we, as parents, much do the hard work of nagging and teaching and living by example.
I don't want some draconian governmental org. telling me what I can and can't do and that I owe someone something by virtue of being born American.
DB
Oh, how easy it is to blame everything on America.
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What about the responsibility of a government that allows that within its borders? They are accountable for that.
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It is my choice if I want to drive a gas guzzling vehicle. You want to dictate how I live?
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| Does that mean that our consumer mad society is not responsible for sweatshop, slave and child labor? |
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| That our gas guzzling, pollution spewing, trash throwing lifestyle owes mother earth no respec |
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Yes, if the way you're living is putting our planet and the future of my childen and their children in jeopardy.
What does America owe the world? Respect.
Originally Posted by sleeping queen It is my choice if I want to drive a gas guzzling vehicle. You want to dictate how I live? |
What does America owe the world? Respect.
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Neither do I.
What I want is a voice that is heard by our gov't. I want US to decide what our laws are again. What limits we do place on our industries, not what the industries wish to place on themselves (see SQ's post).
Cons and libs share many views here (labor, pollution, nukes) yet we go voiceless by ALL our reps......................
| I don't want some draconian governmental org. telling me what I can and can't do and that I owe someone something by virtue of being born American. |
What I want is a voice that is heard by our gov't. I want US to decide what our laws are again. What limits we do place on our industries, not what the industries wish to place on themselves (see SQ's post).
Cons and libs share many views here (labor, pollution, nukes) yet we go voiceless by ALL our reps......................
Els, I agree.
I wish this cons vs libs would stop we have more in common than we do differences.
db
I wish this cons vs libs would stop we have more in common than we do differences.
db
I watched this on the tele last night. chemical warfare America could start here with compensation, IMO, along with all more support for ALL Vietnam War/ American War vets & their offspring exposed to Agent Orange in the 1960's and 70's.
just a thought......
just a thought......
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I agree in part - every government should be held accountable for how it treats it's citizens - however - when we, as a society, benefit from that mistreatment, we owe a debt to those people who have been exploited.
As Americans, I think we've lost sight of the fact that much of our lifestyle comes at the expense of others around the world. There is a reason that we live better than the majority of the world's population. It's not because we are smarter or work harder or are more worthy. Its because we've had a hand in creating the rules of the game of free trade and the global economy, so we've rigged it in our favor.
This applies to other developed countries, as well. I think the major difference for America is that, as a whole, we seem to feel we somehow deserve our lifestyle, like we earned it. I don't think that's true. If you take an honest look at our history, you'll see that we gained a lot of our power and wealth through less than honest means: fertile land taken from the native Americans, indiscriminate use of our natural resources, slavery, etc right up to present day dealings in the WTO where we have bullied other countries to create trade that works in our favor.
I think we owe the rest of the world and ourselves a little honesty and humility.
Originally Posted by sleeping queen Quote: Does that mean that our consumer mad society is not responsible for sweatshop, slave and child labor? What about the responsibility of a government that allows that within its borders? They are accountable for that. |
As Americans, I think we've lost sight of the fact that much of our lifestyle comes at the expense of others around the world. There is a reason that we live better than the majority of the world's population. It's not because we are smarter or work harder or are more worthy. Its because we've had a hand in creating the rules of the game of free trade and the global economy, so we've rigged it in our favor.
This applies to other developed countries, as well. I think the major difference for America is that, as a whole, we seem to feel we somehow deserve our lifestyle, like we earned it. I don't think that's true. If you take an honest look at our history, you'll see that we gained a lot of our power and wealth through less than honest means: fertile land taken from the native Americans, indiscriminate use of our natural resources, slavery, etc right up to present day dealings in the WTO where we have bullied other countries to create trade that works in our favor.
I think we owe the rest of the world and ourselves a little honesty and humility.
A heartfelt apology for everything they have done to all other countries, everything they are currently doing and everything they will do in the future; for any bill, document, lie, agreement, etc that they have signed that lies in their favor and only their favor and which they twist it around so that it makes them falsly look like the victim; for their arrogence; for their attempted dicatorship of other countries; etc; etc; etc.
My thoughts are a little scattered on this one. I do not believe that we OWE anyone else anything, but that we do have a responsiblity as the only superpower to make sure we help those who we can. That includes Iraq's people. If we see a country struggling, believe that we should help them. But we should NEVER be forced to, like the UN would like to make us. Clear as mud?
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