My mind has been frequently on the recent events of these past 20 years... I feel like we're in deep trouble. This may sound very redundant, but hear me out. It isn't only about the United States anymore, no, it's the world. The world is in trouble. The U.S. is only pushing the time bomb, making it skip over a couple seconds closer to the end. The Middle-easthas been a mess, even before we arrived there. The situation has been intensifying: through religious zelouts, political gains, and old enemies. It truely is chaos there, the U.S. hurling itself into the middle of it only made things worse, but the U.S. did not start it. I don't quite know what is happening with Pakistan vs. India, North Korea's nuclear threats, and China's allegiance with N. Koreas - but I sure would like to. It makes me concerned. Very concerned. It appears that political gears are beginning to turn, connect, and are definitely causing friction throughout the world. What I see is (counting Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle-east's political turmoil, threats and aggression) another World War in slow development. I feel the powder keg is almost full again - this time with different players. It will be some time, though, before a spark is ignited. What a dark and gruesome outlook for the future, don't you think? I don't like to be pessimistic about the world, but sadly from a realistic view I cannot say we aren't in trouble. Bush and Kerry can't say that either, and they don't... But they do tell you their way is the way to fix it. I can't say they're right. They may - but based on Bush's presidential resume, I would not trust him in office again. Unfortunately... Kerry is new, and we don't know how he'll truely be in office - So, that's a chance. What a heavy decision this is, no? Also, I bring up the point of Political Influence and a bit of optimism to carry the light. The United States is a world power, some say a world bully, but nevertheless a world power. Whatever we do in the political world of Earth influences things significantly. We break off from the United Nations and invade Iraq at our own will, shows that the US is capable and wishing to make its own decisions - which the rest of the world viewed as somewhat rash and non-sensible (from the causes for war that were stated). We now know there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, nor was there enough sound evidence to empty out the wallet of cash needed for a blitzkreig style invasion - but the current office justifies its actions anyway. How? By saying Iraq "would have probably been a threat in the long run". Ah, very smart. Not much of a threat though, I dare say. What about North Korea? They waved to the world as they opened up their nuclear weapons programs... Iran? Well, they aren't such an anti-WOMD country either, are they? So ... there are the faults. And now everything seems to be all the more chaotic. I suppose the US may have set a precedent after disregarding the UN: "We can do whatever we want." Hmm, not a good example for the world - I think. And so for every action we take there are larger consequences than many other nations. (Ex: If Sweden did something rather rash, would it have that much of an impact on the world as the U.S.? The answer is obvious. No offense to Sweden.) We are a worldly nation, and that makes us responsible for the power we hold in our hands. This is not to say it is right to invade other nations and set our policies down. Not at all. It just means we must handle the power we have responsibly, maturely. I do not think we are. So, we the people choose Bush, and whatever he has done in his past term reflects his new term. Kerry promises a change, he says. Bush is wrong, he says - that very well may be true. Will Kerry stand up to his word, set a better plan? Are we, the Americans here willing to take that chance and make him president? We are left with the burden of world influence. I hope that if Kerry is elected, he will start to turn things around on Earth and at least keep the peace a little longer - as best he and his office can. I really do. We are a worldly nation, and that makes us responsible for the power we hold in our hands. And if Bush wins...... Will he take the fear from our hearts, or place it in them?
Others have hoped for "peace in our time" as well. Things like you've mentioned won't just go away. Someone will have to step up and make them go away, and if they don't for fear of not setting "a good example for the world," what kind of world will remain? Too many people can't break their vision away from the present. Historically, world opinion at any point in time is insignificant. A four-year election cycle is insignificant. Talk on these message boards is insignificant. Only decisive action on a large scale, usually militarily, changes the course of history. I don't think John Kerry has it in him to do anything so controversial. -Atlas
