The necessity of strong people to do the dirty work?

I will speak about America, as that seems to be the slant here, but don't take that as any ignorance of Canada's history in this respect.

I have often taken issue with America's ends and means. America has acted as superpower and has projected itself with the image as benevolent benefactor in the name of freedom, democracy, justice, etc., but when you look past the facade, you see that a lot of what goes on is bullshit.

What drives much of America's means and ends is looking out for its best interests in a geopolitical and economic sense. This shouldn't come as a surprise. If it were otherwise—in other words, if it were really about freedom, democracy, justice, etc.,—Africa would get much, much more attention, and places like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, etc., would have much different relations with the U.S.

As it happens, Africa is relatively underserved/ignored, North Korea widely left to its own devices, Saudi Arabia is an "ally," and China is an important business partner and cautious contact in international relations. Sure, lip service is paid to these: Africa gets aid, North Korea sanctions/warnings, and Saudi Arabia and China criticisms.

But it's bullshit.

Decisions are made not for the greater benefit of the people, but for the continued stability and PR of America abroad. Again, it shouldn't come as a surprise.

That said, there is more to it than that. Global capitalism can be just as nefarious. Just as justice is blind, markets are rational, after all. If the workers of developing nations were paid the same minimum wage as Americans, even accounting for exchange rates, or PPP, the cost of living in America would skyrocket to the point of hyperinflation. In other words, the comforts of Western society are built upon the backs of the invisible miserable masses overseas.

Ethics is a tricky thing when you consider the big picture. I don't want to go all socialist on this thread or anything (not yet anyway), but I will at least state, for the record, that global capitalism is the underlying cause of most of the world's problems. The solutions lie in how to manage it.

 

Well, it's like a bit of both sides.

Even Lincoln technically deviated from the Constitution to get certain things done for the overall good of the war.
And America is not totally evil either...nor really are most any other countries.

But that doesn't excuse, any means to an end...and I find people like Cheney...and others, tend to use that as an excuse to do what they want to do...for their own benefit.
He has made many rationalization for going overboard.

Being strong, doesn't mean using the hammer.
Nor do I think only "strong" people use the hammer. (ex. Obama, who is no wuss on pulling the trigger...despite his liberal/intellectual origins)

I think it takes a person who knows discretion and restraint.
Who knows how to use the brakes...not only the gas pedal.

That's why I trust people on foreign policy that consider all sides...and it's not just by party/ideology. (Bush Sr. was good at that)
Think about it. Get all the info. Debate yourself and others. Only if really necessary, do it, get in and out quick. Stop.

Cheney is a power-monger. Simple.
He expects everyone to just "trust" those in authority. And if you question him, then you just don't know what you're talking about. You're weak.

If he was truly in charge, as Prez. We'd probably have a fascist government by now.
I think GWB actually prevented him from going further in the end.