Big Think

Omar Sapayeen on January 17, 2008, 6:12 PM

In a sense, America has become an empire. Look at how sanctions are used to 'punish' nations that don't play by America's rules. Look how billions of dollars are spent by the US to bribe governments such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. America and Britain jointly overthrew the Iranian democratic system of the 1950s, and then support the tyrannical Shah, who was then overthrown by the people and replaced by this fundamentalist regime. And let's not forget South America. How many times have we officially tried to off Castro? America may not be ruling over these countries directly, but it does seem to 'buy' the favors of rulers, and use them as proxies to whatever extent possible, and those who don't submit to being caught find themselves on our hit list.

Not too different from how Britain ruled India, the then jewel of the Empire. The British empire relied on local landowners and Indian recruits to maintain rule over the country.

Recently I saw Hilary Clinton, in an interview on CNN, express her dismay over Parves Musharraf's performance, and how he failed the US and how she expected Musharraf to clean up his act. It's as though she saw the president of Pakistan as her personal employee..And she's not even president yet!

That is the attitude Washington elites take to the world. One of ownership over lesser nations. And the peoples of these countries do strongly resent that their leaders sit in the pockets of Washington. Pakistanis call Musharraf "Busharraf" for that very reason.

Omar Sapayeen on January 17, 2008, 11:12 PM

In a sense, America has become an empire. Look at how sanctions are used to ‘punish’ nations that don’t play by America’s rules. Look how billions of dollars are spent by the US to bribe governments such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. America and Britain jointly overthrew the Iranian democratic system of the 1950s, and then support the tyrannical Shah, who was then overthrown by the people and replaced by this fundamentalist regime. And let’s not forget South America. How many times have we officially tried to off Castro? America may not be ruling over these countries directly, but it does seem to ‘buy’ the favors of rulers, and use them as proxies to whatever extent possible, and those who don’t submit to being caught find themselves on our hit list.

Not too different from how Britain ruled India, the then jewel of the Empire. The British empire relied on local landowners and Indian recruits to maintain rule over the country.

Recently I saw Hilary Clinton, in an interview on CNN, express her dismay over Parves Musharraf’s performance, and how he failed the US and how she expected Musharraf to clean up his act. It’s as though she saw the president of Pakistan as her personal employee..And she’s not even president yet!

That is the attitude Washington elites take to the world. One of ownership over lesser nations. And the peoples of these countries do strongly resent that their leaders sit in the pockets of Washington. Pakistanis call Musharraf “Busharraf” for that very reason.

jose hernandez on January 18, 2008, 2:06 PM

well, im from Puerto Rico, a territory (colony) of the united states. The majority of puerto ricans doesnt speak english, we dont have representation in the US goverment and yet we are sent to wars. Right now, if the US goverment decides that tomorrow Puerto Rico will pass to the China Republic…we dont have a say.

Our lifes (puerto ricans)is in the hands of people who doesnt speak our language, or doesnt share our customs and beliefs…snd it is a terrible feeling looking at a future where you,as a puerto rican, doesnt have a say BUT it is taken some place way up in the north.

that is what i call an empire and the US is definetely one. Dont believe it? Learn something about our poltical relationship with the US.

jose hernandez on January 18, 2008, 7:06 PM

well, im from Puerto Rico, a territory (colony) of the united states. The majority of puerto ricans doesnt speak english, we dont have representation in the US goverment and yet we are sent to wars. Right now, if the US goverment decides that tomorrow Puerto Rico will pass to the China Republic…we dont have a say.

Our lifes (puerto ricans)is in the hands of people who doesnt speak our language, or doesnt share our customs and beliefs…snd it is a terrible feeling looking at a future where you,as a puerto rican, doesnt have a say BUT it is taken some place way up in the north.

that is what i call an empire and the US is definetely one. Dont believe it? Learn something about our poltical relationship with the US.