Why is isolationist foriegn policy a bad thing? What's wrong with protecting homeland and nothing else?

Question

Doesnt our leadership have an obligation to protect their nations citizenry? Why not allocate resources to protect our 50 states. Isolationist policy doesnt sound so bad when you hear that we've spent 400 billion to destroy and then rebuild Iraq. To arm and then train their military, rebuild their schools etc. Meanwhile American schools, at least those in impoverished areas suffer from overcrowding and other ailments detrimental to the quality of American public education. So, that being said, the status quo which is also the alternative to isolationist foriegn polciy has yielded 2500 dead soldiers and 400 billion dollars with zero improvement or return on investment domestically. Isolationist policy would focus on the defense of our borders and re-allocate precious tax payer dollars to the citizens that live here in America, not to 15 million Iraqi citizens. That being said and compared with the policies we see today..Isolationism doesnt sound so bad. So why are so many against it?

Answer 1

As much as i would like to be isolationist on certain issues, it really isn't a feasable stance. When a country is truly isolationist, it cuts all bonds with other countries. This mean economic bonds are severed as well. A country can stay out of military actions and not be affected ( see Switzerland), but if you refuse to participate in anything, it's going to hurt you more than others. If you refuse to trade with other countries, they can find other ways of getting what they want/need. This however, also prevents your country from getting what it wants/needs. There are somethings made outside of the country that are not made within. There are foodstuffs, computer parts, autos, misc goods that are brought in because it is cheaper than to manufacture ourselves. In some foodstuffs, it isn't possible to grow some items due to geography, climate, e.t.c. Now, this all can be lead back to military issues. If we have a resource that nobody else has, and we rufuse to share it, this can cause tensions that lead to war. I wish we were more like the Swiss in cetain political terms, but it isn't all perfect for them either. Their nuetral stance has cost them billions in trade revenues over the years. Some countries don't like how they will do business with anyone. I think there can be a good middle ground, but with the knuckle heads in politics here, I don't think it can ever be reached. Too many morons on both sides of the fence. The main problem being that all they can see is their side and not willing to see the others viewpoint. That's why nothing ever gets accomplished here...

Answer 2

Here's one answer: If we had been isolationist during world war II, (as many people believed we should) we would now be living in a fascist state ruled by Germany and Japan. Would you like that?

Isolationism is a great way to pretend that the rest of the world doesnt exist or has no influence on this country, but unfortunately thats simply not the way things are in the real world. We can either take part in the global situation or we can become unneccessary, irrelevant and forgotten...

Answer 3

So how come when folks like you ask about isolationism in regard to Iraq, you don't also package it with cutting off foreign aid to money draining african countries and severing ties with the UN?
The point of Iraq was to knock out the baddies (who had a stated goal of taking us out) on their own territory to prevent it coming to our shores. That's a pretty defensive tactic, if you get right down to it. and over 2500 soldiers, while each loss is very sad, is an uncommonly low number of casualties for a three year war.
Ask the Holocaust survivors how they felt about US's isolationist policy prior to our entry into WWII.
I agree that we do need to fortify our borders as part of the national defense policy, though.

Answer 4

You are an excellent mind reader. My bet is that better than half of this countries citizens will agree with you. I do think it is time for payback of sorts from countries we have monetarily helped out.
I also think that The U.S. should regroup. And why does the United Nations say we owe them money. I agree that the money spent to rebuild infrastructure that we destroyed in the first place,should be spent as you suggest. Perhaps your question should be addressed to Dick Cheney and Halliburton and all of its subsidiaries. As a former Corporate Tax Examiner I have seen all of the major players who benefit from our tax dollars,its all about Power and Money. And we are the puppets in their game.
Does no one dare to call for a revolution?