So I hate America

[Tab]

Or so "they" say.

First, I'm categorized as a liberal. The first rule in mudslinging is to reduce things to black and white, us vs. them, or, in this case, conservative vs. liberal.

In fact, I'm kinda a little of everything. I'm socially progressive. Education, improving the environment, rights for all, etc. - all that fun stuff. I'm moderate on a number of things. I'm fiscally conservative - I don't think we should kill our income (tax cuts) and then go on a spending binge with our credit cards (deficit spending). Heck, if I was truly "liberal" about my spending, I'd cut taxes and then spend taxpayer money like it was going out of style. Why not? Why be conservative and responsible?

Now if I hated America, I guess it could be said it'd be in my best interest to destroy it, or weaken it as a superpower, diminish its world influence, put it at risk... you know, all those things that make you less safe.

Let's say that I do hate America. How would I go about hurting this big country of ours, assuming I have some influence to make changes?

Well, I guess, my first job would be to isolate it. If all the world loves you, and you have influence over the world, you have allies that will stand by you through thick and thin. So, if I hated America, I'd do everything in my power to turn my allies against us. Insult them, dismiss them as irrelevant, do things to embarass them, put them in compromising positions - make them choose between their citizenry or their alliance with the United States. I might not be able to totally destroy our relationships with our allies, but I could still do a lot of damage to alliances we have spent decades building. If I hated America, this, of course, would be an obvious step.

What next? Well, finalize the isolation and do what I can to piss off the rest of the world. This won't be initially easy - America has always positioned itself as a beacon of humanity and defender of human rights. The standard countries should be held to. The country that shows there are alternatives to governing through intimidation and power. The country that shows that no man is above the law, and that all citizens have a right to be heard and an equal voice. This is what sets America apart.

Yes, if you hate America, you'd want to kill that reputation. Make America no better than Cold War Russia where you get spied upon and you can be "disappeared" into camps if you say the wrong thing or are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Do you remember what always distinguished America from the lesser countries? The third world countries, and the communist countries? There was no Lubyanka here, like the nasty KGB prison where you could be tortured, with no one really knowing you were there, and no one to rescue you? Everything here is out in the open - if you're jailed, there's a public record and you have certain rights that have to be delivered in certain time frames, and you certainly wouldn't be tortured. This is what makes America a safe haven for so many from those lesser countries. As someone who hates America, or so they say, that would be something I'd change in a heartbeat. Forget tolerance - torture who we need to torture, and if they're not Americans - all the better.

Lesser countries are run as dictatorships, or by cabals, or some individual or group not answerable to the citizens. If you live in one of those places, you're screwed. No avenue for complaint - in fact, it'll probably get you into trouble. America's not like that - America's a beacon of openess and run by the people.

So, if I hated America, I'd shut that down Real Quick. I'd get it so that the American administration didn't have to answer to anyone, and wouldn't have to explain anything, and sure as hell wouldn't have to justify anything. That'd kill that attraction to America Real Quick.

My goodness, what else could I do? I guess that instead of trying to run a capable government, I could put my friends in favored positions - if I had that power - after all, I don't really give a damn about governing, just about hating America and if I don't look for the most competent people for positions, America will still function, just not well, and probably poorly at best. But I'll be set, because I'll have my friends in the best government positions. If I cared about America, I wouldn't do this, but since I hate it, why the hell not? Suck it for all it's worth, that's my motto!

Oh, I could go on. But if I hate America, why should I even explain what I'd do?

I mean, all you need to do is look around, and you could easily see if anyone was doing any of this stuff, and you could figure it out for yourself.

You wouldn't need to hear it from me.

[melody]

1. We *are* America ... they're the traitors

It's important to not let them obfuscate the truth or confuse the issues. The US is and has always been a progressive nation. This backward thrall comes from enemies of our real traditions not from the actual heart of the country.

[BlueEyedSon]

2. "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government

when it deserves it."

--Mark Twain

[DeannaD]

4. Best quote about patriotism

That's exactly how I feel. I love this nation, but I fear the people in charge. Well, in all honesty, I fear the sheep who voted the people to office as well.

[centristo]

5. Amen to that.

I think some Republicans are finally starting to realize they've been duped.

[LisaLynne]

3. Awesome post.

They can throw their little character assassination blurbs around all they want, but they are only accusing others of doing what they themselves are doing. Great job calling them on it. :)