Should the U.S.continue trying to change a dictatorship to a democracy ??? given its ill-prepared attempt ..?

Question

in Iraq? Isn't it more important to have at least an elementary knowledge of the behaviors, attitudes, religions, and overall culture of the chosen government before such an attempt is made?
In Jan. 2005, U.S. president George W. Bush said: "It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world."
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Should we continue bursting forth, thrusting OUR sense of democracy without recognizing the limitations of others to even begin to understand?
War is hell they tell me. People die.
Still, I am yet to be convinced that the loss of over 3,100 American lives has been worth the effort in Iraq.
(Notwithstanding Condi Rice's so-called "expertise "in Soviet matters, our knowledge of most foreign countries, and specifically the Middle East, is pathetically short-sighted.)

Answer 1

Great question. I believe some people, especially Islamic countries, because they are so fanatical need a dictator.
When Saddam was in charge, there were no terrorists or insurgents in Iraq. It is up to the people of those types of countries to decide to overthrow their government. It's been done many times. Bush has only created a nightmare for the entire world.

Answer 2

I think you may be stuck between ideology and common sense. No, the United States should not be the worlds police, but yes, someone should lend a hand to oppressed people that suffer under ruthless dictators.

Common sense tells me that an organizations such as the United Nations should be in control of policing countries that hurt their population. Although the UN is a good idea, either it's time has not come or it's just a great big political forum for dinosaur politicians to toot their horns. You be the judge.

As far as the United States changing others to democratic values, we've actually been pretty successful. Every where we go (conflicts), our enemies eventually become trading partners and capitalism grows.

When you try to rationalize the efforts in the Middle East, specifically Iraq, you will go around in a big circle. There is no logic or common sense regarding fanatical islam and there never has been. The US first fought Islam over two hundred years ago. Unfortunately, it's not a "Bush thing", It's an American problem with a lot more factors than simply having knowledge of the Middle East. I kind of think you already know this, but are letting the liberal/conservative political battles rule your logic.

Answer 3

Democracy. It has little to do with right thinking or right actions, only the "will" of the people. Over time, groups have proven themselves to be quite stupid as groups. Subject to being manipulated emotionally and therefore, democracy proponents can then mold them to do their wills.

What form of government the Iraqi people choose is up to them, and they have spoken rather forcefully that they want the one they have now.

The fact of the matter is they didn't choose another dictator or a form of government that allows one group to exert undue power and control over another group. They chose a constitution and form of government that gave the people more voice and utilizes representation that they can control also.

I think this is a good thing and it is something that would have never happened had the US not gotten involved. Wars are not things that you "justify". Especially wars that your are engaged in actively. Wars are things that you do everything you can to win. Winning means something specific as well. It means that the enemy has been subjected to your will.

The Iraqi people are not the enemy. They are our allies. The enemy is the Islamic Fascists regardless of what religious sect they belong to.

We win when we have subjected them to the will of the Iraqi people and government. Period.

The war against islamic fascism isn't like attending some social function where if you decide you don't like it after showing up that you can just leave and say, "We had a great time but we are done with it now."

This "war" will be a generational thing. The fact that we have troops on the ground in Iraq is part of the war. We will have troops on the ground in many areas before we see this thing to its logical end. We will see escalation in Afghanistan again. We will see support and active troops on the ground increase in the horn of Africa. When we leave Iraq with the job fully done, it may be necessary at a later time to return.

No one thinks the war against islamic terrorism is over or will likey to be over for generations. Yet, for political reasons we are focusing on whether to stay or leave Iraq.

It is rediculous. Why leave the door open for the islamic terrorist to gain power and influence again? How would this benefit the long view of our committment against islamic fascism?

It doesn't, yet democrats in congress are using this for their own political gain. A very poor thing to do in my opinion.

Answer 4

i visit't have self assurance different solutions right here. And guess what? I actually have easily heard a woman(17 year old) say she should be a porn action picture star. wonder horror? human beings do not say such issues of their teens because unsurprisingly, that's not a lot of a controversy for little ones who don't know what's sex. by the fashion, I actually have not in any respect heard a small lady say, "i visit have sex later in my existence..." Does that recommend she wouldn't have it in any respect? some judgements are taken later on your existence. no longer many know that there are those who want to earn speedier. And any procedures, prostitution replaced into not in any respect the reason of human trafficking, human trafficking is a distinct difficulty, i myself have self assurance it will strengthen if prostitution is prohibited-lized. Feminism always sucked. It does discrimination by regulation by ability of giving ******** examples of societal discrimination. Pathetic excuses. Why else do you imagine they're retaining, "a million in each six women human beings are raped" at the same time as apparently that's in no way major to achieve equality? Crimes always will ensue, that's no reason to damage the chance free.

Answer 5

Indeed...I think the US forgot that they are dealing with a wild people. Ones willing to die for even a little cause.

The US should discontinue their spread of western influence in the world because opposition would be strong enough to make the US waste a lot of money and not gain enough in the long term.

Answer 6

Sheer arrogance. Hey all you Iraqis, instead of keeping this government where 70%+ of you voted, we're going to scrap it and let some dictatorial thug reopen the torture chambers and rape rooms so you can live in fear again.

Answer 7

I think the U.S. should definetly be changed from a democracy to a dictatorship.

Answer 8

They have had twice the voter turnout in Iraq that we do in the US. Maybe we take too much for granted...

Answer 9

We need to worry more about saving our own democracy before we try to convert someone else.

Answer 10

No, I think we should stop trying to structure the Iraqis' government for them. It's time for them to step up to the plate and do something on their own. We can't babysit them forever - it's bad for them, it's bad for us and it's bad for the world.