I think what the great "conservative" mass fails to realize, or is afraid to acknowledge, is that the reason we can have such a great life here in North America, with our "great set of values", etc. is because we are exploiting and oppressing the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn't suck because they have different cultural values, it sucks because that's the only way we here in the west can sustain our lavish life of luxury. It's not just that the United States is oppressing various countries (and I made a list today--but just of atrocities committed since WWII) but it's the reasons behind that oppression that are so virulent. Other nations are not allowed, and allowed needs to be emphasized, to try and be "like us", because it is detrimental to our society to allow it. Imagine if we actually had to pay people in the third world a decent wage for their work, or actually allow them to reap the profits of their resources, the world economic system would become untenable, and in fact, the actions of the past month, or so, indicate that it has become untenable. The fact of the matter is, unless we start making hard sacrifices, we here in Canada and the United States will be forced into a position of social and economic subservience by, at least, China and India. It may not seem like it affects you now, but it will, and sooner than you, or anyone in North America, would like admit, and if we continue to destroy the environment it will only be exacerbated. Do you have any doubt that North America would be on the losing end of a military conflict with China, or even Africa? The fact of the matter is, environmental degredation continuing as it is, we will have no choice but to face such an armed struggle as crop failures across the old-world force the massive population of the great eurasian landmass to abandon their arid and un-cultivatable land in favor of the only viable arable land that will remain, namely, North America. This is why the position taken by the United States in international affairs is so deplorable, and if they continue to sow the seeds of destruction, violence and hatred to the rest of the world, then how will we possibly survive even the next 50 years, let alone the next hundred, or more? When we have spent a century raping and exploiting the world in the name of Freedom, Liberty, and Democracy, how can we dare ask for forgiveness, or mercy? Will we deserve it?
