AMERICA THE DUTIFUL - The 21st Century War Begins at Home - Thoughts on America

President Obama recently made a trip to the Middle East in a bid to start healing the long-festering wounds that have been scratched and picked upon for so many decades. I would like to add my 2 cents worth, although its only 2 Canadian cents, and probably not worth much...

In reading online debates and blogs, I find so many Americans think the atypical America-centric thinking.... "If you don't like our politics, then stay the hell out of it". Well, we would love to (I really don't follow the politics, of say, the Netherlands), but the fact is, when the US messes up, it takes the rest of the westernised world down with it. As sad as it is, nations like Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, etc. must keep an eye on American politics.

I think that a lot of what is going on today is due to an America-centric system of thinking that leaves its children with very little knowledge of the outside world - knowledge which is required when these children become future leaders and make forays into foreign countries that may not require America's lofty presence.

America needs to start healing - not in the future, but today, It needs to heal its relations with the world and begin peaceful dialogue backed up with peaceful actions and reactions. I believe, in President Barak Obama, this sort of thinking is beginning to prevail, and inroads, although still small, are being paved. Also, Americans need to realise that, while they do have a wonderful country and culture worth preserving, they do not need to be involved in every single international dispute.

Consider this. Since WWII, America has invaded over two dozen sovereign countries, a staggering amount by any standards. That number, alone, should cause Americans to strongly think of the future and their foreign policies. Having said this, I must point out that there have been areas where America has taken the lead, and rightly so (Afghanistan comes to mind, as it was a necessary reaction to 9/11 and the introduction of a strong, anti-terrorism stand.) But if America continues on this path, wars with Iran, North Korea, and then Russia and China are all but inevitable. And it will drag the rest of the world down with it. America has a duty to the world to get its ducks in a row before more severe disaster strikes. Believe me, 9/11 will be nothing compared to what is to come if America continues on its previous path.

I think it needs to be said and repeated that America has so much to offer. I love America. I have many American friends, the great majority of whom are very kind, generous and caring, and many who are enlightened and free-thinking. But to sum up, there is serious work needed in the US - reconsideration of its international politics and foreign policies - a lot of which can start right at home by teaching children that America can't just go on simply believing it is the greatest country in the world and does no wrong, but merely part of a network of great countries that offer freedom and individuality and liberty. (There are bad countries, but no one country can claim to be the greatest as it is all subjective).

Learn about other nations, and America's place in the world. Why it is important to respect other's religions and values, however foreign and alien it may seem. America is among the greats in the world, and can become even greater if it began to realise these things and had a little more respect for and understanding of other cultures, for what they value in their own nation so strongly - free speech, liberty, justice for all, and the right for self-determination.

I expect the typical American reaction to this editorial, which is usually "f* off" and insults. A wise man once said violence (and in this case, name calling and profanity) is the last resort of a man with no other means of intelligent discourse, so I expect I will get that reaction to this. (Then again, my blog isn't exactly the New York Times. Instead of read by millions, it's unnoticed by billions!)

Long live a peaceful and enlightened America.