Oh wow. The "New Isolationism" has finally raised its ugly head! I confess, our present system is less than ideal, but there are so many holes in this particular argument that it's distressing to see people actually promoting it.

First. America needs trade relationships and free market to prosper. If we let the rest of the world fall into the hands of oppressive government, we hurt ourselves in the long run.

Second. All right. The USA will probably never see a land war with any of our major rivals on our turf. But what if some of our smaller, more aggressive enemies get their hands on nuclear weapons?

Third. Foreign soil is often conducive to terrorist organizations seeking to rec...

Oh wow. The "New Isolationism" has finally raised its ugly head! I confess, our present system is less than ideal, but there are so many holes in this particular argument that it's distressing to see people actually promoting it.

First. America needs trade relationships and free market to prosper. If we let the rest of the world fall into the hands of oppressive government, we hurt ourselves in the long run.

Second. All right. The USA will probably never see a land war with any of our major rivals on our turf. But what if some of our smaller, more aggressive enemies get their hands on nuclear weapons?

Third. Foreign soil is often conducive to terrorist organizations seeking to recruit for and plan for attacks on the USA.

Isolationism has never helped *any* country. Look at Japan. Look at China. Look at Napoleon's "Continental System." Look at the isolationist United States, and consider that the greatest depressions we have ever seen came at a time when we tried our best to cut ourselves off from the outside world.

No; I'm afraid the isolationist plan will not work.

To Jstates1: I understand what your are saying although we need relations, we also need to respect other nations no matter how big or small! As for terrorist an aggressive smaller countries we need to try to use more effective diplomatic ways so that we can avoid wars. They are angry for a reason and we are at times are the ones at fault. Half of our problems would cease if we weren't throwing double stadards out like crazy!

Example:

Politically with China we're frienemies
have them on security council in the UN but want them to clean up their act

Economically we're competitors but we also depend on them for goods etc., buying gov. bonds etc.

How does this work? We sold them our jobs, g...

To Jstates1: I understand what your are saying although we need relations, we also need to respect other nations no matter how big or small! As for terrorist an aggressive smaller countries we need to try to use more effective diplomatic ways so that we can avoid wars. They are angry for a reason and we are at times are the ones at fault. Half of our problems would cease if we weren't throwing double stadards out like crazy!

Example:

Politically with China we're frienemies
have them on security council in the UN but want them to clean up their act

Economically we're competitors but we also depend on them for goods etc., buying gov. bonds etc.

How does this work? We sold them our jobs, gave them power and sold our dignity but still want to make them democratic! Goodness, over here 50yr old adults that went to ivy league can't tell right from wrong let alone know where to draw the line! Diplomacy is dead business rules house! War is for energy and expansion! In all America wants it all but she can't have it all!