…a day of tears and joy as Barack Obama told America "we are ready to lead the world again".
Isn\’t that what always pisses off the lefties? The idea, the very thought, that America "leads" by imposing its desires and values upon the rest of the world?
“The idea, the very thought, that America “leads” by imposing its desires and values upon the rest of the world?”
It used to be, yes…
It is when their favoured politician isn’t in control, but they are essentially the same as the right – authoritarian statists who have no problem usiong violence and the threat of violence to force people to behave as they think best.
Thing is, America has been leading the world under Dubya, and in the right direction. (Go on, lefties, howl and rant.) It’s just that the world is too dumb to follow. Obama’s quoted remark is just coded Bush-bashing, of which there was far too much in his speech.
Throughout history, whichever nation is financially dominant – and that usually means militarily as well – imposes its values/fashions/language/art whatever. It usually doesn’t even have to impose these things militarily, since fashion and people’s desire to be associated with the winning/dominant side takes care of that. The U.S. is no different than the Romans, Greeks, Chinese in the past. The French and Brits have had their day during the recent past and presumably the Chinese or Indians will get their turn (again).