[grandalf]

Not isolationism, simply democratic approval for the scope, budget, and success criteria of military action, and an honest discussion of national interest that doesn't involve fear mongering or appeals to xenophobia or racism.

And while I personally view the doctrine of American Exceptionalism as a sort of evil religion that causes much worldwide suffering, I could tolerate it if there was a corresponding definition of national interest that could be used to assess the claims of our political leaders.

Its not a choice between the modern massive federal\military bureaucracy and serfdom.

[lostboys67]

Not fucking up and have you president do your version of Suez id rather USA have a role on the world stage than welcome our new Mandarin or Russian speaking overlords

[grandalf]

The strategic decline of the US relative to China and Russia over the past few decades has been due mainly to the massive cost of the American bureaucratic state. Both nations spend pennies on the dollar and cause our hawks to bluster embarrassingly as they flush our prosperity down the drain.

At least in the case of Russia, this was the objective from day one. The US is strategically weaker today (in terms of alliances, power projection, public support for wars and ability to handle multiple fronts) than it has been at any time since achieving superpower status.

We've seen a massive slide toward authoritarianism over the past few decades as well, with an emphasis on "us vs them" beliefs and other childish mental habits that have become mainstream.