But I am here today to tell you that I am guided by one overwhelming conviction and passion: This century must be an American Century. In an American Century, America has the strongest economy and the strongest military in the world. In an American Century, America leads the free world and the free world leads the entire world.
Let's leave aside the question of whether that's really a sustainable vision or not, at least in the details. I guess my question is: Why is being No. 1 the goal?
For all the talk—mostly from the right—about honoring the Founders and their vision, I don't really find much in the Federalists about trying to have the biggest military or trying to lead the entire world. What I *do* see is talk about trying to create a country of liberty and a government of responsibility. The Founders were revolutionary, but it strikes me that they were also rather modest: They wanted to create a country that worked well. And for the most part, they did. The rest sort of fell into place. I suspect that always trying to be Top Dog, however, is a sure way to undermine the rest of it.
Am I wrong?
2 comments:
I don't think you're wrong. If we create a truly great country, one that acts on its best principles, then we will be a leader because other countries choose to follow us... not because we bully them into it. Attaining the position is not the goal; earning it is.
Holy smokes. Who thought it was a good idea for Romney to ACTIVELY position himself as the neo-con candidate? Does he really think he can get votes that way? I can't imagine the phrase "American Century" wasn't an intentional nod to the PNAC.
Post a Comment