American Hubris

"If the [US] neglects to rethink its purpose informed by the genius and practice of the Founding Fathers, it is destined to self-destruct like every other empire from hubris and overreach. ... The Constitution's preamble explains that the national interest of the [US] lies in providing for the 'common defense' and 'securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.' The Founding Fathers denied that the [US] was saddled with either a moral or legal responsibility to implant freedom throughout the planet. None ever hinted at a national duty to overthrow the French Bourbonism the Russian Romanovs, or Ottoman Sultans. Nor did they believe Americans would be made safer or freer by attempting to cram American democracy down the throats of feudalistic political cultures, for example, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia or China. ... In addition, the trillions of dollars squandered in foreign military frolics subtract from fashioning a virtually invulnerable defense posture at home earmarked by spy satellites and aircraft, anti-missile systems, submarines, upgraded border security, sophisticated intelligence collection, and a credible threat to destroy any enemy nation with the audacity to attack. ... But President Bush's ambitions are also delusional, ill-founded and extra-constitutional. ... Secretary of State John Quincy Adams in his July 21, 1821, address amplified: 'The [US] has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, when the conflict has been for the principles to which she clings. ... She does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is a well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. ... She might become the dictatress of the world; she would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit'," my emphasis, Bruce Fein (BF) at http://www.washingtontimes.com/, 16 September 2008.

Thanks BF. I was looking for that "monsters to destroy" quotation for a few days. I wrote an essay about it in fifth grade and remembered it. Apparently my knowledge of American history in fifth grade was equal to that of Bush's entire cabinet. Combined.