The Fearful Superpower

Zakaria is right, on many different levels. The politicians preach fear when we are the most powerful
country in the world. (Who has the most weapons of mass destruction?) We went to war in Iraq not
because of their threat to us but the threat they posed on the Saudi's border. The Saudi's who have
been such good allies to us and care takers of the world's largest oil deposits. Imagine those oil fields
in the hands of Saddam. WMD's were an excuse to take action. While thousands of jobs go to India
and China, we are suppose to quiver and fear because of a small group of terrorists. Yes they are
dangerous but is this a reason to divert our resourses and attention on such a grand scale? I think
a bigger threat is posed by the economies of India and China.

I agree with this, we have a compulsory sensation that other countries sharing, if not taking power from the United States is to be feared and fought. This is, in some cases, with merit.

I believe that unless the European Union starts producing nationalized results, and other unions are created and do so as well we will be opening the door for outwardly oppressive nations to come into higher power.

I believe we fear China the most, as they have an interest in every first world nation (not to mention ours) and they are not evolving as other powers like the United States towards a more free and democratic nation. I fear that China is the new Rome, and they intend to force their goverment strategies elsewhere. It is with merit that we feel so threatened by non-democratic nations, as democracy is the standard by which we live and it has been a good standard for hundreds of years.

As an American I will say that it is no wonder that we fear and attempt to opress the outside world, as we all grew up knowing that we are the most powerful nation in the world. Given that fact, I feel that the problem lies with a gut reaction we have with being the "planetary police".

What we need to do is influence cultural changes that guide us to help change the world in peaceful and humanitarian ways. The only way to do this is to change our view from "most powerful" to "most influencial". We also need to realize that it is our responsibility to reach out worldwide in humanitarian efforts to effect change.

Adding to that, we also need to teach our people to hold a higher respect for the U.N., as they are the tie that binds us to many nations. I live in Utah, and we all of course know what Utah thinks about the United Nations. We are only so lucky to have a body of nations coming together to speak, and not legislate. The U.N. should take a primary view in American classrooms with stress given to the fact that they are our chance for a better, more culturally enhanced future.

I wonder if Zakaria was experiencing this "fear" he discribes when he supported using military force against Iraq.

I consider myself an independent but in all honesty I lean heavily towards the left. I disagree w/ the Bush administration 100%. That said...I think your views are delusional. If you are trying to inform the "American" people, you should not say things like Americans are "acting like a caged animal".

FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER!!!!

Written by a Muslim.

okaay, so we should not fear al qaeda or iran, but we should fear india and china? how about getting more specific? how is the rise of india, china, and some latin american and african countries hurting the US? and what are some specific things that the author suggest we do about it? what are the "new solutions" that this world needs? more regulations on raw materials and energy? more anti-communist rhetoric and a new cold war against china?

okaay, so we should not fear al qaeda or iran, but we should fear india and china? how about getting more specific? how is the rise of india, china, and some latin american and african countries hurting the US? and what are some specific things that the author suggest we do about it? what are the "new solutions" that this world needs? more regulations on raw materials and energy? more anti-communist rhetoric and a new cold war against china?

Seems like most want a changed, have voiced their desire for a change, but nothing changes. Makes me wonder if we truly live in a democracy. We scream and pound our fists, but no one listens. If we all go out and vote for change in 08 and no change comes, we will then know without a doubt, we the people have no voice.