Do we, the United States have a moral obligation to promote democratic ideals in other nations? Don't just say yes because everyone deserves equal rights or no because we're not minding our own business... support your answers with facts.

I'll start: i say no because even though we could we don't have a Moral Obligation to promote demoractic ideals to other nations. the other countries didn't ask us for our help so therefore they don't want our help. so why should we try to fix something when we're not wanted?

If by promoting democracy you mean lectures, speeches, and giving financial aid to those countries struggling for democracy, then, yes, it is our moral obligation to do so. If our moral obligation includes unsolicited aid, economic depression, and massacre, then, no. If our moral obligation provides only minimal benefit to the society as a whole, then it is wrong.

Bush:

Well, that's how WE were brought up.

But, what about those in Saudi Arabia who believe a father has the right to kill his daughter if she is "un-faithful"? Meaning, mind you, she didn't wear something that covered her face.

To them, that's a moral value and obligation and such. But, we sure as h*ll wouldn't want them imposing this on us.

I will admit though, it was wonderful to see the Iraquis so happy about the election! I still disaprove of the war, but I'm glad they are doing better, for theirs and form y family's sake. The were almost killed in that bombing of the church in Bahgdad(sp?) so, I really just want this all to end.

But still, what we think is great for us, but doesn't necassarily mean much to anyone else.

Plus, if we go in to Iran, I'm going to be pissed of as h*ll.

*Note: I am under sever fatigue and sleep-deprivation right now, and will probably be back by tomorrow to apologize if any are offended.

excuse me while I wipe my tears from my eyes. That was truly beautiful.

although i disagree that there is peace in Iraq, i do agree that democracy should be encouraged and supported by the US. democracy is a superior form of government because although it is imperfect it is the best we have. i can't imagine a people who do not want the ability to have a voice in government. i think it is wrong to keep this precious gift we have to ourselves.

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the other countries didn't ask us for our help so therefore they don't want our help.

I have yet to understand this idiotic way of thinking. Is it not enough that the Kurds in Iraq asked us all the time for help? Is it not enough that when the shiites started a revolution they were slaghtered? Do you want Saddam to say to us, "help us, we would really like a democracy so could you come give us some help?" Come on. The fact is that democracies are a superior form of government (sorry liberals, I know that is governmentist) and should be encouraged and spread throughtout the world to cast out the darkess of oppression and tyranny. Even on the eve of the Iraqi elections, you liberals can't get enough criticisms in. The war went well, so you complained about the peace. Elections are coming and are going to be a huge success, so you complain about democracy. What is next folks, whats next on your talking points. Give me a break. Get over it. Democracy is morally right and should be encouraged.

yes, we do have a moral obligation in EVERYTHING

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the other countries didn't ask us for our help so therefore they don't want our help. so why should we try to fix something when we're not wanted?

The people who have the power in these countries are usually the culprits. They like having the power and the riches. They like their lives, so of course they are not going to ask for our help. But, that does not mean that the majority of the people aren’t suffering and don’t want a change. The majority usually are the poor who have no say in what the country does, if the country is non-democratic.

To get to the point, I do believe that we as human beings in a rich country have a moral obligation to help out the people who are suffering. Usually, the people who are suffering have no voice, so we have the obligation to step-up and provide for them what they need. We need to use our resources and take advantage of our riches, by helping out the human race. A democracy is one of most humane governments, and thus should be applied as often as possible.

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Because there are a lot of churches in Iraq

i think whoever posted this was talking of the Bahgdad bombings of Christian Churches.

I am a bit disappointed with our country's current foreign policy. We have exported alot our labor to 3rd world developing countries and we claim that we are "helping" them. Are we really helping someone by paying them $2.00 an hour to hand stitch sneakers in conditions that would cause lawsuits if an American endured them? Did we really "Liberate" Afghanistan and Iraq (and soon Iran) or did we just take them over? During the Cold war we fought against communism because we claimed that it was trying to creep it's influence and it's ways around the world via "satellites". What has happened since then? Rather than Communism, Capitalism is spreading with it's "Satellites". Capitalism infiltrates and changes countries just like communism would have... only instead of coming at you with a straight face and a manifesto, we come at you with a smile and knife in your back... Just some thoughts...

i thnk that we do bc the us is arguably the largest superpower in the world and our decisions affect a massive number of people

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Originally posted by jamaica17:

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Why?

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Hmm... why dont you figure it out? =)

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Maybe we should drop some mustard gas on the Philipines.

Scrolling down I see a lot of "Why"'s and "YES"'s

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Hmm... why dont you figure it out? =)

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I know my own opinion on it, Jamaica. I asked why because I was interested in hearing yours.

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Why?

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I'll take a wild guess: the Bible.

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Why?

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Hmm... why dont you figure it out? =)

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YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

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Why?

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Originally posted by CaliGurl:

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"It isnt right . This whole concept of interfering in other cultures,always thinking we know best .

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That's what i mean... we don't have the right to tell other people how to live, what government to use. Some countries in Africa have been in tribes for hundreds of years, so it's not going to work if we just suddently show up one day and say you have to be a democracy...

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Many paople belive that . I as an Indian think that there is a lot yo could learn from us.
And there is this researcher who said "I ve gone to Africa a dozen times by now . And Ive seen evething and heard everything imaginable , but there one thing Ive never heard - the sound of a baby cry. They are so lacking in the want of materialistic possesions that they have enough time for the really imp. things in life."

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no i think you got it backwards. they (insurgents) are blowing up buildings. they are bombing churches

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Because there are a lot of churches in Iraq

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we were too afraid to blow up the al-sadr mosque because of politics.

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That's because we dont want the entire muslim world against us. We do not want to become the beast.

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im getting differnt stories from you lefties. some are telling me we went to war because of WMDS. some are saying went to war with iraq because of 911. which is it?

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A people never goes to war for one reason, and this is no exception.

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ban gay marriage. a topic i dontw ant to get into until im finished researching

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hu, so I guess that massechusets is outside of the law, and all those marriages are void now...