by Nicholas Misiano

Created on: February 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

There is much debate concerning our foriegn policy on the War in Iraq, but we must look at the quagmired complexity of the situation and how it evolved. We are a nation rich in making war, our history was concieved in the womb of revolution. Early in our history, we forged ourselves into world diplomacy, even at the risk of denying our own domestic affairs, to attain power on a global stage. We have managed to protect our soveriegnty for over two hundred years, free from war on the homefront, because we have the power and resources to take the fight away from our borders. We have invaded and annexed many lands for the pursuit of political and economic power. The fact is, to generate power, it must be taken through force. The stage was set for this conflict long before the events of 9/11.

We are a "representative democracy", in which the people vote for someone to speak on their behalf. Currently in his second term, George W, saw an opportunity to define himself in the history of American presidents. He has developed a legacy, as did his father, of bringing this nation to war. Perhaps, he has masked his own agenda in the smoke from this conflict, but the damage is done. We elect our government officials because they make decisions that we don't want to deal with. We elected a rich oil tycoon, who has been spoon fed Big Business since he was in diapers. We must also acknowledge the fact, that he is from Texas, the largest state in the Union, and one of the countries biggest oil produers, and not to mention the deep political alliance that has been formed in big corporations in his family for decades. Corporations such as Halliberton, who were once owned by Dick Cheney, and responsible for huge government contracts that stole millions of tax dollars from the American people. Prior to George W's political career, he made millions by running puppet oil companies into the ground. The Bush legacy is as much American as any other of the socially or politically elite. After the attack on the WTC, Bush saw the opportunity to place a foothold on some of the most contested turf in the world, not to mention the most lucrative. It seems logical for a man in his postion and with his knowledge to capitalize on such a pivotal moment of world affairs. There are many reasons why Bush decided to invade. First, to defend our nation against future attacks, to crush terrorist networks and it's infrastructure, and to establish our foreign policy in the Middle East. Second, he has the power to delegate forces to achieve moral victory, with his plight of defending America from Terrorism, eradicating Iraq's potential for WMDs', and freeing the Iraqi people from an oppressive regime. But now with so much mud in the way, it is difficult to institute democratic policy in a region that doesn't really understand the concept of freedom. In theory, it's a brilliant idea....now try asking someone if they want fruit punch, if they have never tasted sugar. It's the same concept, we want these people to genuinely have passion for demorcracy, and it's not in their hearts. They are too worried about finding a meal for their family....some things just have more priority.
In the grand scheme of things, history has evolved to this point and there is no going back. It is true that if American forces pulled out now, it would have cataclysmic reprocussion for the world's economy. The fight for peace and stability has taken center stage in this ancient land where civilization first began. It is an apocolyptic conclusion in biblical proportion, and we must stand and fight to keep our place in this world.

Learn more about this author, Nicholas Misiano.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.