Poll: Americans Question Foreign Policy

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060330/ap_on_re_us/us_foreign_policy_poll



Poll: Americans Question Foreign Policy
By MICHAEL MELIA, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Americans question the ability of the United States to create democracy in other countries, and are divided on whether successful efforts could even make the U.S. safer, according to a poll released Thursday.

Only 36 percent of those surveyed by the Public Agenda Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index believe the U.S. can help spread democracy — a major objective for the Bush administration in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

"People do regard it as a desirable goal," Public Agenda Chairman Daniel Yankelovich said. "But from a common sense point of view, both Democrats and Republicans have concluded that democracy is something that countries come to on their own."

The biannual poll, which last came out in August, found public confidence has declined overall in Washington's ability to achieve goals including capturing terrorists, protecting U.S. borders and meeting objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[NanceGreggs]

1. I can understand the problem ...

"Americans question the ability of the United States to create democracy in other countries ..."

Hard not to question the ability of the US to create democracy anywhere, when it seems so intent on destroying it at home.

[rodeodance]

2. Only 36 % believe US can spread democracy -that is about his base.

Only 36 percent of those surveyed by the Public Agenda Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index believe the U.S. can help spread democracy — a major objective for the Bush administration in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

[LynnTheDem]

10. 73%; U.S. actions in ME indirectly aid recruitment of terrorists

73% of Americans are correct.

Now WHY are bush & Cabal still in the White House instead of Gitmo???

[Solly Mack]

3. The people have a different definition of "spreading democracy"

than America's government does.

The people think liberty and justice. They think the Bill of Rights and government by the people...

The government, however, thinks spreading democracy means protecting American business/economic interests...in opening up markets to American businesses - by force - if you're not willing to deal America's way.

The people think life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The government thinks new markets/resources opened to American interests

The incredible profits reaped from Iraq and Afghanistan for some American businesses are what Bush defines as success...a government installed willing to deal with America to expand American interests is his "mission accomplished"

While the people see the death and the destruction...the people see more enemies being made...the people see abuses in rights...the people see all the signs of democracy not taking hold...because the American people don't see anything remotely resembling "democracy" as they understand it to be - and, most importantly, as they have been taught/indoctrinated/conditioned to believe by all the history they've been exposed to while growing up, in schools, in election campaigns, in books, on TV, on the radio and in newspapers...every single day of their lives.

A politician will campaign on "America the free...the just....the liberty people"....but then turn around and create laws such as the Patriot Act, which restrict freedoms, which erode justice, and which deny liberty. So the politician gives lie to America's democracy with the exact same mouth he used to promote the people's view of democracy.

The people are fed one thing, while the government does quite another.

The government spends an incredible amount of time,energy and money promoting to the people the ideal of democracy...America as the ideal democratic nation....and people believe that ideal...and they want that for other people...they want people to be free (even while their own government is constantly restricting their own freedom)

So "spreading democracy" sounds good... (and it's a great cover for those not paying attention)

BUT

then what government really means by spreading democracy comes into play...and it goes against everything we're taught from a young age about democracy in America...about what America represents... then people struggle for answers

So all the flag waving, hand over heart, eyes tearing up pageantry of America, the beautiful, is now called into question...because the reality is ...your government sells you one thing and calls it democracy...and then promotes and installs another thing on foreign soil and calls that democracy too. Well, they can't both be democracy as America promotes it...not if the history book democracy of the founding fathers, betsy ross,give me liberty or give me death, DOI and the BOR is democracy (and that is democracy as it's sold to the people in America).... Americans have to ask themselves which definition is the lie and which definition is the truth. Is the government lying to us about our own democracy? Or are they lying about what spreading democracy means in other places? (and the answer to both can - and should - be yes)

People hear "spreading democracy" and think freedom, liberty, justice, equality
Government says "spreading democracy" and thinks ...free - unchecked - unfettered markets open to American interests, free from a government that might be hostile to anything America wants

Which democracy were you taught as a child? Which democracy did you embrace as the way for government to be?

How far is what you were taught from the reality?

No wonder America is a nation torn a part. Lies do that.

The government sold democracy all too well

The people strongly believe it

and then the government goes and acts in a way not in line with the way democracy in America has been billed...

Maybe the frustration people are feeling stems from much more than the deaths or lack of progress ...maybe in addition to the all the death and destruction, the idea is growing that they've been lied to about a great many things...not just Iraq...it's easier to point to the deaths and lack of progress, however...than it is to think your government is a fraud. That everything you were taught has been exposed as a lie.

If George Washington, the Revolution, Henry's "Common Sense" and "We the people" can define America's democracy(and history books & government claim it can)...then something is very wrong with democracy today in America.

And if that's not the kind of democracy we're spreading, but it is the kind of democracy we believe in, then nothing about Afghanistan or Iraq is right...and our government is being hypocritical.

And if that is the kind of democracy you believe in, and that's not the kind of democracy you see in America, then America is not right....and our government is being hypocritical.

And the people need to do more than just question government ...we need to demand from government

an accounting of all the lies - both home...and abroad.

I cut my teeth on the belief of "we the people". I am one of those who strongly believe in the ideals of America. Yet I know the reality is far different and has been since the beginning...even still, I believe in those ideals. I believe in working to achieve those ideals. But I've been lied to - and about far more than Iraq. My country is sick. My country is a lie. But I don't believe it has to be - I believe it can be better.

But government's lying must stop...and the people must stop accepting the lies.

There's the history book America - The America people want to see and believe in - and - The America as it really is...

We'll never get the America we want...until we clearly see the America that is

[ninkasi]

5. Beautifully expressed

You've exposed the heart of the problem, Solly Mack. When Chimp says democracy, he's speaking of a country which can be exploited for financial gain. When we say democracy, we're talking of fair elections, and the Bill of Rights. Sadly, the rulers of these global fiefdoms are so thoroughly consumed by greed, they are more than willing to sacrifice any number of other people's children to add to their wealth.

[Solly Mack]

7. Thank you.

They are really are ..."are more than willing to sacrifice any number of other people's children to add to their wealth."

And they call that the "price of democracy" ...another lie

[remfan]

6. Well done, Solly Mack

Deserving of a thread all its own. I wish there was some way to nominate single posts for the front page, because this certainly deserves such recognition.

:applause:

[Solly Mack]

8. Thank you, remfan

:hi:

[Xipe Totec]

4. You can't spread Democracy with a Jackboot

It's so obvious, only Neocons need to have this explained.

This experiment in spreading democracy will turn out to be the most expensive lesson in humility for our nation.

[LynnTheDem]

9. 36% = morans. Same as bush's approval rating.

HMMMM...co-inky-dink???

I think not.