THE BASIS FOR A STRONG NATION - FOREIGN RELATIONS (THANK GOD I’M NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

THE BASIS FOR A STRONG NATION

By R.J. Godlewski

© May 3, 2008, All Rights Reserved

10. FOREIGN RELATIONS (THANK GOD I’M NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT)

There’s an old saying that God created families so that people would learn to get along with those which we didn’t choose. I suppose the same holds true for nations – they arise so that we would learn to get along with groups of people that we normally wouldn’t be caught dead associating with. The sad truth is, however, that far too many Americans have been caught dead associating with the many countries that litter the planet; our brave men and women within the military have often made the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live in what we like to term ‘peace and harmony.’

This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to write about the broad topic of foreign relations. On the one hand, I’d prefer that we keep America to ourselves. That we worry about our own jobs, our own healthcare, our own economy, and more specifically our own freedom than anyone else’s. Still, prudent thought dictates that the privileged share – willingly – their blessings with the impoverished. We must understand that the greatness of America is that we’ve always aided the underdog – the poor nations of the planet that have often been the target of belligerent despots and rogue regimes. Henceforth, how best to compose about a subject that exerts two such conflicting emotions.

Perhaps the best way to handle this is to consolidate these extremes into one all-powerful mandate: that America simply remain American in nature. To give, as everyone knows, means ostensibly to ‘give’ without being forced. To freely part with something of value to yourself without fear, intimidation, or hesitation. That to give a ‘C-Note’ to a friend in need is so much better than to have an armed thug demand it from you. That the former means that you would feel all nice and warm inside and the latter, at least in my particular case, means that you might have to deal the assailant a lethal blow epitomizes the entire scope of ‘foreign relations.’

Part of the problem, as an example, that I have with the United Nations is that far too often we are not given a chance to, well, give. We’re simply told what to do and when to do it and if we aren’t directly accommodating then we’re labeled in some derogatory manner intended purely to ostracize ourselves for not forking over instead giving from the heart. Perhaps if the United Nations were to give of itself then we wouldn’t be ‘forced’ to part with our own billions. When we are simply forced to comply, then we are no longer able to partake of free will.

Let’s consider the controversial subject of Global Warming, a topic quite hard for us Michiganders to relate to when the temperature drops to below freezing in May! The ‘American’ approach to Global Warming (as with any other subject) is to use our vast repertoire of engineering and scientific talent to develop technologies – such as safe and reliable nuclear energy – to offset the ‘harmful’ effects of carbon discharge. This is and always has been our particular gift to the world – from the telegraph to the telephone to nuclear power itself. Instead, the global community seeks to sour our economic potential by telling us what, exactly, we’re permitted to do and what we’re not allowed to manufacture. In other words, they want to deny us our privilege to give and force upon us a system intended to rob us from what they want.

Personally, when someone demands of something from me they are quite lucky to depart with their lives. Generally, they’ll at least leave with a sour taste within their mouths offered courtesy of my own tainted vocabulary. Such is why I would probably never run for public office – I’m a particularly nasty clash of common sense and good old-fashioned Polish spirit. ;o) To be president, one has to remain diplomatic and caring and the first time that an international organization ‘demanded’ of America one of my subordinates would have to leap on top of me to retrieve my finger from ‘the button.’

Foreign relations do not meant foreign hostility, however, and my own personal life offers up much to consider in this field. Having been married to an alcoholic for twelve years had provided me with a deep appreciation of the trials and tribulations of managing relationships with confrontational persons. I know that it is quite difficult to remain true to both my personal convictions and my deep love for those that I care about most. Compromise does not mean having to sacrifice character.

Far too often today, charges of arrogance, selfishness, aggression, and many far more obscene adjectives have been hurled at my beloved America. I, too, have been personally called ‘narrow-minded’ and a ‘propagandist’ – among the more printable terms – by my own countrymen because of my beliefs. Name calling is the last great act of a dying character. To call the United States arrogance and selfish is to ignore the entire history of the free world and leads to misunderstandings involved in inter-community relations – whether from within or without.

The demise of once proud Europe, the abject poverty of Africa and Latin America, and the social strife exhibited by Asia all correspond to highlight the greatness of the ‘Great American Experiment’ – a system that is quite unachievable anywhere else on God’s green earth. Our nation flourished because our people learned to get along with each other through peaceful pursuits – whenever we went directly at one another, as in the American Civil War, we learned that force never lasted more than commercial cooperation. Our saving of Europe through two world wars should’ve taught them about this fundamental need for peaceful competition yet today they are spiraling into decay because they have equated submission with compassion. Having their culture robbed from them by the Islamists and socialists does not mean ‘giving’, it merely means surrendering.

If I was president – and I’m so damn glad that I’m not running – I would equate foreign relations with personal relations. I welcome all into my home but if they did not live up to my expectations then the invitation would be short-lived indeed. Similarly, if I were to honorably visit someone else’s home and were not treated properly as a guest then I most certainly would distance myself from that particular host. With privilege comes much responsibility, whether I am on the offering or receiving end. Between nations – because the entire planet rests on their actions – this bit of common sense goes even deeper.

To lay blame on America for the world’s ills and then demand that we correct the situation only infuriates me – and that’s something that you definitely do not want to do. To say that the problems in the Middle East today arose because of the United States’ involvement ignores the existence of that cesspool long before Columbus even waded ashore in the New World. Islam, today, cannot claim to any greatness because, as a religion, it has never empowered the individual as much as Christianity has done. Whereas we pray for the sinner, they seem content to abandon ‘non-believers’ wholesale – not exactly an inspiring invitation to join their ranks. Whereas we refrain from ‘casting the first stone,’ they attempt to sneak past our borders with hijackers and suicide bombers.

Foreign relations are indeed a double-edged sword. We cannot be both the Arsenal of Democracy and the Great Satan. Other nations cannot demand that we cure AIDS, poverty, famine, and global climate change without accepting that at some point we’ll defend our existence with passion. More importantly, large international organizations cannot think that the one nation that virtually invented individual liberty and responsibility could be kowtowed into accepting despotism or socialism. American compassion and generosity is known throughout the world but it is because of the love and courage of our individuals that the world knows of this.

Our foreign relations efforts must take into consideration that they serve our own interests first and foremost. When the United States of America remains numero uno as far as being the richest, most powerful, most competitive, and by all means the freest nation on earth, then our people will exceed the world’s greatest expectations in terms of compassion and mercy. We can do so because we expect to give – not have it taken from us. If the world wants, then they’ll have to learn to ask politely. Otherwise, don’t stand in the way of our progress; you might get trampled to death.

(The above article is the 10th in a series by R. J. Godlewski, exclusively for Right Truth. A new installment will be published each Sunday. Please leave your comments or questions for Mr. Godlewski here in the comments section and he will respond.)

This is the 10th article in the series, THE BASIS FOR A STRONG NATION. Read the previous articles: Chapter One in the series, "A Return to American basics" ... Chapter Two, "What is an American?" ... Chapter Three, "One Nation Without God?" ... Chapter 4 "Duty and the Responsibility of Citizenship", Chapter 5 "Political Warfare and the Proliferation of the Vote" and Chapter 6 "AN ARMED POPULATION IS A FREE POPULATION ", and Chapter 7 "SECURE BORDERS, SECURE AMERICA" and Chapter 8, MILITARY DUTY AND RESPECT FOR OUR SERVICE PEOPLE, Chapter 10 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY: WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Be sure to check out Mr. R.J. Godlewski's website here and the Independent Counterterrorist Training Program written by Mr. Godlewski for Right Truth.

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Comments

[Stormwarning]

I meant to write, "does not make his comments any less RIGHT."

[Stormwarning]

Wise words my young friend. But David's comments about Africa and other despots supported in the name of American interests (at that moment in time) does not make his comments any less wrong. And it does justify ridiculing him for raising the point (as he was ridiculed - or worse).

Foreign policy and diplomacy are actions and decisions made at one point in time based on the best info. available at that time.

To look back later is easy...to stand in leadership and make decisions is the true test...not the sideline rockthrowing that often occurs...and the rock throwing occurs from both sides!

[courtneyme109]

Being the Arsenal of Democracy and The Great Satan at the same incredible moment is actually accurate, cool and highly desirable.

Please consider too that it's very tough to really care what nations with pitiful literacy rates, no free, uncensored media and tons of police - secret police, religious police, fashion posse, no or faux elections, and a risible interpetations of events - historical or au currant think of America.

Americans believe they know the truth, and they do not admit alternate truths. Democracy is the only legitimate form of government, and America as the greatest democracy is the most legitimate of all.

Reffing Storms point re:David - Foreign Policy that worked is not the product of a good America and the failures the product of a bad America. They were all the product of the same America.

[Stormwarning]

And correctly stated...Foreign Policy is intended to support our agenda first. Having said that, often in history (and as "they" say, "hindsight is 20-20"), our interests at that moment in time, led us to support certain foreign interests that later turned badly. That is the reality of snapshots of intelligence being acted upon by "men" (and women) who are fallible and who, in their best judgments, lay out a course for the country.

It was in a previous post, that a commenter, David, offered his list of regimes supported by America, that in hindsight, went badly. Those statements of historic fact (although they might be called historic interpretation) are borne out by identifiable events, and yet, they were chastised as though facts were somehow blaming America.

IMO, those among our citizenry who have the audacity to believe that they can lead, must now also bear the brunt of the microscope of judgment. Any who deign to know better, but who instead potshot from the sidelines at those who choose to run and lead (and I mention both sides of the aisle at all levels of government), should take steps to influence directly, rather than indirectly, the policies underwhich we live.

And that is my opinion.