Submitted by Greg Alderete.
In yet another entanglement in the Middle East, the United States finds itself waging war by proxy—or directly—in Yemen. We’re told it’s about regional stability, about threats, about protecting our allies. But beneath the rhetoric lies a much older, more troubling story: America, once the self-proclaimed beacon of democracy and peace, has become the world’s self-appointed enforcer—often at the behest of powers whose interests rarely align with the values we claim to hold.
There is no denying Israel’s disproportionate influence on U.S. foreign policy. That statement alone might raise eyebrows, but the evidence is overwhelming. Congress, with rare exception, bends over backward to avoid any real scrutiny of Israeli actions. Meanwhile, cabinet after cabinet—regardless of party—continues to prioritize Israeli strategic interests in ways that put American soldiers and resources in harm’s way. The cost? Countless lives, trillions in taxpayer dollars, and a growing cynicism among Americans who see the hypocrisy for what it is.
At home, we preach the gospel of Christ, but abroad we wage endless war. We say we are a model of democracy, yet we ignore the rot within our own. Our streets are filled with unhoused veterans, our public health system is broken, and our political system is so thoroughly compromised by money and special interests that genuine representation is a distant memory. What moral high ground do we have left?
Since World War II, our track record speaks for itself: Korea. Vietnam. Iraq. Afghanistan. Libya. Syria. And now Yemen. Every intervention justified by noble intent, and nearly all ending in chaos, destabilization, or worse. We have become a nation that acts first and reflects never.
The tragedy isn’t just geopolitical—it’s spiritual. We claim to be a nation under God, yet we ignore the teachings of Christ: love your enemies, feed the hungry, care for the poor. Instead, we drop bombs in the name of security and call it righteousness.
When will we learn? When will our leaders—truly—seek peace over power, diplomacy over destruction, humility over hubris? When will we live up to the values we export, rather than weaponize them?
Until that day comes, the soul of this nation remains adrift—lost between the ideals we proclaim and the actions we continue to take.
” We have become a nation that acts first and reflects never.”
Mr. Alderete, As a an AF retiree (21 yrs including a tour in Vietnam) I couldn’t agree more. We never seem to even attempt to think through to the endgame. To say nothing of how this Nation of ours callously cuts back on the VA’s ability to care for our burn pit, IED and PTSD victims and equally callously discards the indigenous who loyally worked for us during every single one of those conflicts.
Re Israel. We may, intentionally or otherwise, be clumsily atoning for our abandonment of some six million starting with the SS St. Louis.
You write seven paragraphs to dance around reality, you hate America, just say it you will feel better!
I served 37 years—including three wars. Three. I’ve been places you’ve only seen in grainy news footage and bad Hollywood movies. And I come from a long damn line of people who bled red, white, and blue—my grandfather in World War I, my father in World War II and Korea, and my mother, a combat nurse, patching up the same kind of soldiers this country loves to forget once the parade’s over. You think that kind of history is built on hating America?
No. It’s built on loving it—enough to fight, enough to sacrifice, enough to criticize the hell out of it when it’s not living up to what it promises. That’s the real work. That’s patriotism, not this performative chest-beating where the second someone says, “Hey, maybe we could do better,” you start clutching your pearls like the flag’s about to burst into flames. So consider this my last response to you because you apparently don’t have the intellectual depth to have a big boy conversation.
So go ahead, call me unpatriotic. I’ve been shot at by people with better aim.
@Jon Harrison: Is this really the best you can come up with? No reasoned rebuttal or counter arguments, just declaring that the author must hate America because you disagree with him?
I’d have to agree with most of Greg’s post, though I feel the rationale for many of our involvement in the conflicts presented is based in corporate greed. I love my country, and do so knowing it has not always lived up to its founding ideals. I’ll continue to work toward implementing the values of freedom and equality for all, especially in these dangerous times when the rule of law is in peril.
“There is no denying Israel’s disproportionate influence on U.S. foreign policy.”
Yeah, just read what Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky has to say about that.
He claims that every Republican member of Congress has an AIPAC advisor assigned to them, except him – he refused.
He said he is not sure about the extent of such amongst the Democrats, but there is no denying the heavy influence of “dual-citizens” in our government, on both sides.
As he left office, President Eisenhower warned of the military industrial complex seizing power. Look what’s happened since.
Today we have an international intelligence cabal which operates in secrecy and seems to have little regard for nation or border.
Old man Rothschild sure started something when he established the modern nation of Israel, post WW2.
These are not “anti-semetic” statements, just statements of fact that need to be seriously addressed if we are going to stop bleeding and spending trillion$ on war.
Besides, semetic people are people of a relative group of languages, to include Arabic, so the term is ironically ridiculous.
I guess the question I have is: if that influence is taken away, what will take its place?
I have zero faith in human nature to do the right thing collectively for any sort of “greater good”.
Communism has killed more souls than all wars combined.
I think fair balanced global trade will go a long way to promoting world peace, and that is the effort in play today.
All wars are economic wars.
Thanks for your service to this country Greg.
Extremely well-written and spot on Greg!
Again….thank you for your service, as well as your progenitors.
My Grampa & Great Uncle (WWI), Dad & Cadet Nurse Mom & Uncle & Wife’s Dad (WWII), and myself & my Wife’s Uncle (VIETNAM), and our Son also served.
How ’bout you Mr Harrison?
EKC
Gregory, Your comments reveal the reality of how things are in the USA today. Having spent 40 years in the Army National Guard and Regular Army I appreciate your comments about loving the USA. There is an Arabian Proverb that states, “He who tells the truth must have one foot in the stirrup.” Keep up the good work.
Ignorance breeds prejudice, I live in Europe 6 months out of the year, I was born in Tacoma, I write this from Trapani Italy, here there are very few heathens unlike Tacoma, here they love America, politics in Tacoma is kakistocracy, and yes you HATE America!
You are right about Tacoma, and the greater Puget Sound area Jon.
It is pushing a Marxist agenda that runs contrary to America’s founding principals and the Constitution, but there will come a day of reckoning after more important matters get settled.
Like an infant child with a full diaper and an empty nipple while the house is burning.