[throwaway0123_5]

> That's an argument that the US isn't morally perfect.

It certainly seems to me like its also a strong argument that much of the US's wealth is based on colonialism or colonialism-adjacent policies, no?

> I don't see how this invalidates the idea that the US culture is better at creating and running a great economy

I didn't argue that. If US culture is/was in favor of colonialist antics and colonialism produces wealth for the US, that would actually be an argument in favor of US culture being better at producing a great economy. I would argue that the ends don't justify the means when the means are abusing far poorer neighboring countries.

I also wouldn't argue that colonialism is the only reason the US is wealthy. There are clearly aspects of US culture that are conducive to productivity and innovation that are more or less independent of colonialism.

[FredPret]

Fair.

My frustration arises from people who say that the US turned Guatemala or wherever into a banana republic, and therefore the West has zero moral worth and capitalism must be overthrown.

[throwaway0123_5]

Yeah that certainly seems hyperbolic. My opinion is that we need to do better in the future and consider our past when making current policy decisions. And in some cases I think we should proactively attempt to make amends.