The US is generally just a machine for making money and building a war machine. We like war. The nation seems to thrive and unite behind war in the early days then it falls on hard times. People become disenchanted by the nature of war and fight against it.
I would argue that would include all nations, just happens that Nuclear weapons made War obsolete between the powers, which led to relative peace in Europe.
Why not do something to try and avoid it in the beginning. Negotiate with the enemy. No preconditions just talk over coffee and a smoke. Maybe we don't come to the harsh decisions if we do that.
If only everyone had good intentions, the US is not the only nation with certain particular interests. Look at Chamberlain and Hitler, they sat for coffea and negotiated the Czecks away, and by showing such weakness Chamberlain and company made WW2 probable. I agree with you that War is not the answer all the time, and it shouldnt be used lightly. Yet certain times it has its place "War is just politics by other Means" Clausevitz.
Iraq is worse than Vietnam. Yes. Not because the numbers lost are as high. It was just a very bad decision and based on lies. Vietnam was a **** up pure and simple. Iraq was a designed plan. It was deception at the highest levels. So yes it is far worse. The arrogant Bush in the plane. The statements and the cowboy rhetoric from him.
The Bay of Tonkin incident was a much more serious breach of trust of the people. Yes Bush lied, or misled, or even made a dumb idiotic miscalculation but Vietnam was far worse for the US in terms of Casualties, costs, and social upheavel all in the name of old Colonialism.
The system is flawed yes. All systems are flawed. The system does not allow for greatness. It allows for failure. It is designed based on failure. That is why we don't vote a person in for life. We expect he or she will screw it up.
Interesting take on it, although I think many misjudge Presidents because many of their policies have very much long term affects which other Presidents gain as credit later on so its a crap shoot to honestly judge a Administration outside seriious historical analysis.
I think we need multiple leaders. One person to see that each department is cared for but just a holder of the reigns. One person in charge of economy. One in charge of foreign affairs. One cannot do it all. It has grown to big for the one.
Well he does have his cabinet and it is constantly growing.
I am a socialist and that is the type of government I would like to see in place. One of the people by the people for the people with instant recall for a bad job. A system where if you say the you are going to do something in the campaign and it is not done you are gone. That is the system.
Unfortunately Human nature does not lend itself to Socialism too well IMO. We can discuss that in another thread.
I believe in can come through America falling. I don't believe that it can be pushed. In my lifetime will I see what I want no. I just hope that the flawed system that breeds low goals and crushed dreams holds together long enough to do something else.
I really dont thing the system breeds low goals, we are the same country that landed a Man on the moon. I think what is hurting our progress is that the generations since the fifties have expected to have it good all the time. The world changed but the people feel they are entitled to things being as they were/
BTW thanks for the message, You are an honest debater I do enjoy dialouge with such individuals who are as willing to listen as they are too talk.