http://humanrights.change.org/blog/view/what_bill_clintons_mea_culpa_should_mean
4. Does the US engage in irrational empire building in lieu of rational infrastructure reconstruction?
Much has been written about budget difficulties in local municipalities, owing to declining tax revenues, stemming from the steady diversion of federal funds (starting in 2002) to the War on Terror. Local communities in 49 states have been forced to cut back street lighting and law enforcement; lay off teachers and reduce school hours; and closing clinics and libraries owing to extreme budget shortfalls (see http://www.thetotalcollapse.com/third-world-america/). More ominously, financial analysts caution that a number of cities are at risk of defaulting on their municipal bonds (see http://www.elliottwave.com/freeupdates/archives/2010/12/22/The-Municipal-Debt-Bomb-is-Ticking-When-Will-It-Explode.aspx)
At the same time, the US is clearly the most aggressive empire builder in history. Excluding bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US has 837 military bases in 135 countries. The number of foreign basis on US soil is zero. In fact Americans would tend to view a military base in their country as a form of military occupation. As part of the global War on Terror, the US also has current military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Columbia, the Philippines and the horn of Africa (see http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RL32758.pdf)
5. Is the US experiencing social fragmentation, as popular and local leaders, backed by angry and rebellious constituents, take matters into their own hands?
Although most receive minimal attention in the mainstream media, I see a number of successful state, local and populist and grassroots challenges to federal power:
- Adoption of the Kyoto Protocol (committing to reduce CO2 emissions to 1990 levels) by 1044 mayors -" representing over one-third of Americans - despite the senate's refusal to ratify the treaty
- Obama's quiet reversal (in October 2009) of Bush's policy of prosecuting medical marijuana use in the 15 states (including Washington, D.C.) which have legalized marijuana use, with a doctor's prescription, for specific illnesses. In addition to this clear states' rights victory, the move also reflects the inability of the Justice Department to effectively enforce these laws - given the anticipated unwillingness of juries to return guilty verdicts in states which have legalized medical marijuana via citizen initiative. This has actually occurred in a recent marijuana possession case in Montana (see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/22/montana-jury-marijuana-mutiny_n_800074.html)
- The growing movement for states to address budgetary problems by withdrawing from the Wall Street debt factory and creating their own state-owned banks (like North Dakota - see http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/growing_movement.php).
- The 250% increase in extremist groups and armed militias since 2000 and the murder of six law enforcement officials in 2010 (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/04/us-surge-rightwing-extremist-groups) - and a congresswoman and judge in the first week of 2011.
- Growing secession movements in Vermont, Alaska, Hawaii and seventeen other states.
- Proliferation of citizen-based global environmental and social justice movements (now at two million plus, with many based in the US) in the past decade.
- Wikileaks.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
5
3
2
