Today, in my Social Change in Latin America class, I was forced to realize that though I try to look at every side of an issue, sometimes I am blind.
In that vein, I tend to be very critical of the government. I appreciate all the liberties I am afforded and am very fortunate to be part of the middle class in America. I criticize the government because I am constantly trying to challenge it, so they look for new ideas for a possibly better existence within the entire country and through out the world.
I've also haven't been the biggest fan of George W. Bush. To me, he seems like a puppet on strings, being controlled by his evil circle of advisers. I feel like they play a giant game of telephone and they whisper to the President what they want him to say. And that's why I think, most times, Bush ends up looking like an idiot.
I could probably trace back a lot of the world's problems to the America's never-ending journey for world domination, and its installation of global capitalism all over the world. Even though I would like nothing better to continually criticize the government, it's not entirely our fault.
I'm specifically going to discuss the actions of Latin American countries. They buy into our imperialism - whether they want to or not. They realize they must keep up with capitalism and globalization if they never want to challenge us for world power.
My professor made a very good point today, as well. She commented how it actually helps Latin American politicians if they disagree with US policies. Lula da Silva, who is losing popularity as the president of Brazil because he has not come through with his promises to make sweeping reforms under the PT party, finds his popularity rating go up when he is critical of Bush and his policies.
One of Bush's most vocal critics in Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela. Since Chavez vehemently opposes neoliberal policies and imperialism, which have been blamed for widespread poverty and numerous other problems throughout Latin America, Chavez can be extremely popular in Venezuela.
But poverty and class inequality still remain. Many leaders in Latin America have not had enough courage or support to make revolutionary changes to focus programs for the poor and removing power from the relatively tiny middle and upper classes.
Latin America can blame America all it wants. In truth, we do deserve a lot of the blame. But if they really feel so strongly against us, they don't have to listen to us and make the revolutionary changes on their own to connect to the lower classes.
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Very interesting and insightful comments! Your willingness to look at both sides of an issue is refreshing. I'm not sure I agree with the statement about US' "never-ending journey for world domination" though. One thing I have noticed is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Just look at world history throughout the centuries and you'll see what I mean. Great topic:)
Perhaps I was a bit too dramatic about the "never-ending journey for world domination." What I meant was that the US is continually trying to stay the world's number one superpower and often manipulate those in not so favorable situations to remain in those situations. Capitalism is a vicious cycle that really only benefits the upperclasses and it was developed that way.