Did We Forget How to Negotiate?
By nerogates Posted in Archived — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
The key to successful diplomacy is leverage. There is a balance between philosophy and physics which allows for a successful negotiation. Unfortunately, we, as a nation, have used a stick over a pebble in an effort to move a boulder.
The United States of America, despite all of her warts, is still the last best hope for today. While we outsource jobs, war, and surrender sovereignty, our culture is what captures the imagination of the world's eye. The best and worst of our culture, to be sure, but it is still an American World. Even though we're asking the dealer for a hit, while we hold an Ace and a Queen, we are still winning.
Why is this important? Our leaders, not to mention the followers, continue to apologize for that which has happened. If we continue to trip over the past we will fall on our faces, again and again. In recent years, say the past 20 or so, the U. S. has tried to right the wrongs it has inflicted upon the world!
This is a recipe for disaster. It is like a Serlingesque script. No matter how many times we address the past, whether it is with regards to war, poverty, or policy, we cannot change the future. The Left, despite retagging itself as progressive, will not let go of the past. The 60s never ended. We shouldn't have dropped the bomb on Japan. Manifest Destiny is the greatest crime in human history. Despite the fact that we are on the verge of electing a black president, slavery is still an issue today.
Since we will never get to tomorrow, let us get back to today. In the here and now, the United States has forgotten how to negotiate. We are intimidated by China. We're not quite sure how to handle the rest of the Mid East, because of Iraq. We accept Europe's weak knees and shallow spine. We are at the mercy of third rate nations like Mexico and Venezuela.
Why?
The answer lies within the guilt of White Man's Burden. The term from a century ago, has brought the weight of the world crushing down upon the shoulders of the American Atlas. Instead of reminding the world of who consumes its goods and services, we apologize for being too rich. Instead of flexing our muscles, we bind them in a straight-jacket, while our fingers flail in the sand. Instead of reminding all of those who still flock to our fields for freedom, about how precious a place America is, we assimilate to their will.
From fires of frustration, tempered steel must be poured back into our national body politic. America is still the leader of the world. It just needs to remind herself of that fact.
-Heroes don't die, they live within us.
Nero
© EMH, 2008