How much control do Americans have over our foreign policy?

[Terran1212]

I was just thinking about this.

It seems like foreign policy is the wing of our government we are able to control the least. No matter who we elect, the policy seems to stay pretty consistently in the hands of a few entrenched people in the State Department, intelligence agencies, and the Executive (with huge amounts of information simply being off-limits).

Sure, every now and then a real group of nasties like the neocons can enter office through an election, but it seems that the foreign policy of our country is largely entrenched and out of our hands.

And because our government does it in our name, with our money, I'm almost not hesitant to say it's an entrenched tyranny.

[sweetheart]

1. timocracy or plutocracy?

This question stymies me. As much as effective plutocracy drives the
machine, the entitlement program and its moral preserve seem righted
to this permanent military rulership class that operates between the
pentagon and various large private monopoly arms manufacturers. And
teh question between them is how many slaves for each roman? How many?

When will it end?

[Erika]

2. Since China and Japan own so much of our debt

they also control our foreign policy. You don't bite the hand of the banker who could foreclose on you.

From what I've seen, the GOP sheeple aren't even aware of this fact. But then the GOP sheeple won't face facts.

[shance]

3. Our greatest and most powerful asset is to unify and mobilize

as citizens nationwide.

Forget political parties really. They are now more tools of division and exclusion than they are beneficial to Americans nationwide. With that said, there are certainly some progressive thinking individuals within the Democratic party who are good, caring people who Americans should definitely align with.

If we build our communities and neighborhoods with individuals and friends who are educated and connected to one another, we are less vulnerable to both the domestic and foreign policies, especially if we take more control locally and build from there.

That's what continues to be the best solution I see. Our division and our resignation of power and our strength (and money) being given to Washington D.C. and to defense industries is slowly but surely sealing our fate if Americans don't wake up. We will have to unify to save ourselves from their destructive agenda.

It is certainly the reason that they are where they are and we are where we are, which keeps them in the driver's seat and right now they are heading everyone over a cliff if American citizens don't grab the wheel. The first step in grabbing the wheel is connecting with our friends and communities, talking honestly, intelligently and courageously about what is happening, and getting people informed, empowered and feeling a part of the solution.

It's important to keep the truth flowing and to keep in mind, that those who abuse power are totally dependent on us being divided and disconnected from one another.

When we become unified, (which is why they spend so much money on media and intelligence spying/infiltration)they can't succeed.

[Drum]

4. American citizens?

Do you mean the majority, the ordinary and un-"connected" Americans who are armed with only consciences and perhaps voices or pens?

Alas, I think: not much...or certainly not enough. Even in our domestic policies, the will Of The People isn't counting much.

In my little opinion, this doesn't resemble Representative Government very much---not these days---be ye of the Republicans OR Democrats. It's getting awfully difficult for smart discourse to succeed anymore, and the most cursory reading of America's founding contains some pretty darned noble writing/speaking/thinking. That gets so stamped out nowadays that it becomes a war of the winds.

Sorry to ramble. I guess in short I'd reply "No" to your OP, but your question invited me to muse. And I absolutely (and sadly) agree with your conclusion.

[Terran1212]

7. Well thank you for your reflections nt

[jerry611]

5. Been this way since the end of WW2

Results of WW2 put us as the leader of the free world... And that put us in a position that we have never been in during our entire history.

Our government was forced into that role. But the American people have never really gotten used to it. And we are in a position where any free nation or any free democracy has a problem...it becomes our problem as well.

[manic expression]

6. Very, very little, if any at all

It's hard to say. On one had, Americans basically have no control, those who are entrenched in the government do as they wish and the interests of the rich and the elite are pursued while all others are used as pawns.

On the other hand, the protests against the war in Vietnam helped bring it to an end, finally. Anti-war sentiment forced the US into less overt measures in many cases of unjustified action. We CAN make a difference, but it is a very hard, very difficult fight.

However, the fact is that the country has changed since the 60's and 70's. To be honest, it doesn't matter how many people protest in the streets, the powerful will do the wrongs they wish as long as they can retain office, and with an incumbent advantage of 96+%, that is looking all the more likely.

[Drum]

9. I think you're right.

If only, if only the true power of the ballot box could be our valid weapon to ensure that our politicians would regard our wants and needs with the appropriate seriousness! So many of us...we as a nation could (/should) do it numerically right? Can't we somehow compell our reps to listen to all of US?

[manic expression]

10. If only

While we do have the power to change the leaders, there is another part of this that makes it almost unrealistic to expect it to happen. The fact that elections are decided largely by money and party sponsorship means that a candidate needs to be backed by one of the major parties AND have the support of affluent interest groups. Because neither party really wants someone who is very opposed to the status quo, and since the most affluent interest groups want to keep their affluence and direct American policy in their favor, the chance that a candidate could gain office without the support of these two powers (and also with the opposition of both) does not look likely at all.

The only opportunity we have is to really mobilize, force office holders to recognize and respond to what we want them to do, and make sure we fire them if they don't.

[Drum]

12. 'Zactly! nt

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

8. WAR AND WEAPONS IS OUR BIGGEST INDUSTRY

FOREIGN POLICY IS CHANGED AT THE DROP OF A DIME, ITS NOT ABOUT MORALS, JUST ABOUT BUILDING AND SPENDING. KEEPING SOMETHING GOING ON. ENDLESS WAR FOR ENDLESS PROFITS! THEY WILL NEVER LET YOU BRING IT DOWN, ITS TOO BIG.

[Erika]

11. You don't bite the hand that holds your debt

We've been cautioned many times that our being in debt to China would weaken our defense and policy stance. They won, we lost.