POLLS: USA ISOLATIONIST--NO JUST USING COMMON SENSE

The New York Times ran a piece (April 30, 2013) entitled:“Poll Shows Isolationist Streak in Americans” (Megan Thee-Brenan). But is this really a case of “isolationism”? Or are Americans being more sensible and realistic than the Washington crowd, their accomplices and echo chamber--the press--and the elements of military-industrial-complex many of whom profit from our adventurism abroad.

The Times lead paragraph states: “Americans are exhibiting an isolationist streak, with majorities across party lines decidedly opposed to American intervention in North Korea or Syria, according to the latest New York Times/CBS poll.”

The author supports her claim with these figures:“Sixty-two percent of the public say the United States has no responsibility to do something about the fighting in Syria between government forces and antigovernment groups, while just one-quarter disagree. Likewise, 56 percent say North Korea is a threat that can be contained for now without military action, just 15 percent say the situation requires immediate American action and 21 percent say the North is not a threat at all.” To me that sounds very reasonable.

The Times would like to call that response “isolationism”. Merriam Webster defines isolationism as: “a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international political and economic relations.” I do not think that definition could remotely Apply to the USA with its more than 900 military bases around the world, millions of men and women under arms, and which is presently fighting major wars in Afghanistan and a secret war in Pakistan, Yemen and parts of Africa, all supported with an earth-girdling Navy and Air Force.

We are not isolationists by any measure. But we are a nation with problems. Our infrastructure and health care system are no longer world class. Today for every three dollars our government takes in in revenue--it spends four. Our national debt equals our annual GDP like some of those nations in Europe we criticize. We are a struggling with an economic depression, with near 8% unemployment, and trying to close down two unnecessary, unpaid-for wars and even today struggling to survive under sequestration and its unimagined and devastating effects. Claiming we may have isolationist tendencies is simply wrong.

Let’s accept the facts. The American public, far from isolationist, simply have digested and understand--perhaps because economic exigencies demand they deal with it each day--the basic facts. We can not afford further unpredictable adventurism abroad. Let’s not call that a “streak of isolationism” but is a fine example of American common sense. We would all be better off with more of that characteristic in Washington and as well in the editor's office at the NY Times.

Get the picture?
rjk