Why America Feels Like it's Been Ruled by a Foreign Occupier

As Obama takes over the wreckage this country is in, one can't help but feel like something alien to America has been controlling it these past eight years. The wave of emotion that has erupted with the election of Barack Obama reminds me of the Allied victory in France in WWII. After a long foreign occupation in which foreign German interests occupied the agenda of France, French governance would once again be representing the concerns of it's populace. That hope seems to pervade America after it's long neocons occupation. Here are a few of the parallels that I see.

- American Public Opinion Has Been Ignored

Polling has consistently shown that the American government pursues an agenda far to the right of American public opinion. For the slight margin of victory that Bush had in both elections he won, the sweeping changes he pursued illuminate his disregard for the sizable chunk of our society that disagree with him.

When Dick Cheney was questioned on ABC about whether the fact that two thirds of Americans were opposed to the Iraq War had any influence on decision-making, he basically said that the American people get to make their input every four years and after that they can be ignored. The government is there to represent the people and now that it seems like that is returning; joy is understandable.

- Core American Values Overturned

America fought a revolution to have its opinions represented by it's government. That has faded in Bush's term. America set up the UN after World War II to set up international law and put an end to military aggression and imperialism. That went out the window. Habeas Corpus was inherited from England where it originated in the 12th Century. Bush in that sense has embraced the morals of the middle ages. Along that line, America reinstituted the use of torture. England discontinued its use in the 1600's Frederick the Great ended it in Prussia in 1740, Italy in 1786, France in 1789, and Russia in 1801. Besides moral reasons, the practice was written off as ineffective in terms of yielding useful information. This administrations moral conduct is clearly alien to the values of most Americans.

- Basic Infrastructure Neglected

Bridges, roads, and environmental standards have degraded these past eight years. What could be of more interest to a population than the upkeep of these vital elements of society? Clearly the vital interests of the population did not matter. You would have to be completely foreign to what America is not to see it, as basic infrastructure degraded tremendously in Bush's tenure.

- National Resources Diverted Overseas

If you study any foreign occupation, one common thread would be that national wealth would be diverted into foreign lands. While American healthcare, education, and infrastructure languished, we dumped billions of dollars into Iraq and pursued an otherwise aggressive and destructive foreign policy across the world at large at tremendous cost.

On top of that, national debt doubled the past eight years. It's like America lost a war, suffered an occupation and had to pay a 5 trillion dollar indemnity. We're in a similar position to France in 1870 or Germany in 1919 in that our common interests have been ignored, we've pursued an aggressive foreign policy to our own detriment and we are now deeply in debt.

- Propaganda Tuned Up

Bush took the stance of a foreign occupier in his governance- rational argument would never win the minds and hearts of the masses so crude propaganda such as Fox News was trotted out to scare and paralyze America into obedience. The same quest for obedience through misinformation and crude scare tactics are the same you see in the totalitarian governments from South America to Asia that have brought nothing but misery to their own people and the world at large.

Comments

[KareninSac]

The sad thing is Bush hasn't a clue how much damage he has done to our beloved country.

But now is the time to get back together and work hard to reemerge. If Europe could do it, so can we.

May we never ever see the likes of George Bush again.

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

We've already seen the likes of Bush again, it's Sarah Palin.

[AliLiz]

Good Bye, Mr President Bush...you did us harm...live with that thought.

Bush Family...stay away from any political careers for at least two generations. Bush Sr., W, and Jeb did enough damage to the USA...your family legacy is not a positive one.

Between the S and L and oil investments you should be rich beyond measure. Just leave us...the workers... alone.

[motodude]

OMG!!! Task = sum up the shrub regime in 1 sentence. Result = "...have brought nothing but misery to their own people and the world at large."

[Joeyjackal]

"If you study any foreign occupation, one common thread would be that national wealth would be diverted into foreign lands." Foreign lands such as Halliburton's no-bid contracts, rushing into the Iraq War and more recently this bailout and Blackwater's role as a paramilitary force have been on the tour that this doubly illegitimately elected President has taken us on. History will most certainly look back on these past 8 years as a giant raid on the US Treasury. people who voted for him must be beginning to feel a little complicit.

[krimson]

I don't know my country anymore, it seems more like a police state now than a free country.So many in poverty are forced to pay everything to high profit corporation. No limits to what life cost for the middle class and all consideration are only for the rich. Why should the middle class have to be trickled on, this is the mind set of a man called Bush who has never had to balance a budget.He has sold us all out for the wealth of a few and domination of the masses. Wake up America, we have no friends abroad, as the Republicans hide behind their religion and make one feel guilty over abortions. Why is there no guilt feelings over the capital punishments handed down by Bush when governor of Texas. Why are our troops being feed by foriegn countries, and they wanted our air force to depend on foreign refueling tankers. What if they decide not to supply us with parts or poison our troops food supply. Handing over such power to foreign countries is a huge mistake, a number one no for anyone knowing anything about running a arm force.Making us weak has been his number one top priority. Something is wrong, has been , and needs to stop now.

[suzc]

Interesting quote! Thanks (source?). But it isn't just the US corporations who have raped and pillaged the USA the past 8 years and continue to divert our national treasure. It's the foreign lands themselves! The Saudi royal family has supported the Bushes for 20-30 years or more, including bailing them out financially, and have no doubt been among the wealthy and powerful pulling the strings in the Bush WH! China, too, has been working to ruin us. Yes, we've been occupied, by those hoping to strip this land and depart for ivory towers elsewhere. But they are both INSIDE (Paulson and the Bailouts, anyone? Alberto Gonzales? Rummy?) and OUTSIDE our shoresI I really was worried we would not survive eight years of Bush. And we haven't. We hang on by a thread. Obama brings me hope but if the cupboard is bare, what do we eat until harvest? I DO wish Bush/Cheney and the Gang would be brought up on charges, for what they have done to the nation, the world, our economy, our people, and our Constitution, which may NEVER fully recover! Is there a provision for post-offic­e-impeachm­ent? Wouldn't it be lovely to hold THEM in Gitmo for a few years....

[skeetnurse]

Like Mr. Hallmann I too feel a tremendous sense of relief at the impending passage of the Bushies, somewhat like the body's reaction after an enema or a supository. Ultimately the future is not in the hands of the elietes or their hand maidens in congress or the government but in ours. If we allow another Bush-Cheney type of administration within the next century then we get what we deserve. Vote and be an active voice in the process and we can be what we should be, a great country deserving of the love we give it. .

[joanjourne]

Mr. President,
Investigate election fraud. Restore the rule of law and accountability. Please!

[vietveter]

Close BLACKWATER and jail their leadership

[twofish]

Us and what army? I shudder at the prospect of the private armies leaving Iraq and coming back here. A trained, equipped fighting force looking for work...

[Richmoves]

What an interesting take on what has happened for the past eight years. I couldn't agree more.

[TommyMcCarthy]

What an excellent synopsis, an so, SO true.

If Obama and the Dems have the least bit of success, (and God help us if they don't) I STILL look for a long period of skepticism, hesitancy,....call it collective PTSD on the part of the electorate. Look for it first in the battle over health care.

"They want to do what??....­......O.K.­....Why?..­.......'Ca­use it's the right thing to do, huh?...Hmm­m.......O.­K.,... I give,... what's the catch?

tm

[Salz08]

Well said and sadly too true. Hopefully it is not too late to dig ourselves out of this ruin.

[joanjourne]

"...the American government pursues an agenda far to the right of American public opinion..."

"...This administrations moral conduct is clearly alien to the values of most Americans..."

Thank you. Yes. I hope that when President-Elect Obama takes office he will aggressively address the restoration of the law and investigate criminal and unethical behavior in government. Everything else hinges on that.

[HappinessHacker]

Bush's quip "What's good for the foreign nationals (companies) is good for America" says it all.

Bush WAS working for foreign companies, not us, not America. He doesn't care and he doesn't connect with us here at home.

Thanks for an excellent article!

HappinessHacker - Atlanta

[veronicallous]

America was ruled by a foreign occupier: Rupert Murdoch

[lebmasv]

I cannot wait for Obama to get into office. I am so sick and tired of the way things are in this country. Yeah, I signed my home loan papers but I didn't think I actually needed to pay when the payment went up. I can't afford it. I refinanced and took out money that wasn't there, but I wanted an Escalade. That is my choice. But not to worry, the man is coming to bail me out. Every man is created equal and I want to see that become reality. I will wait for all your tax dollars to help me out. Thank God for "Stated Income".

Yeah Obama.....­..........­..........­.

[goodneighbor420]

snark much? Personally, I blame the 'professional' people--you know, the ones that work at the bank that are supposed to verify that you are capable of paying your mortgage...

[Angelzfantasy4]

Well Said! Who wouldn’t want their children to live in a nicer neighbourhood, go to better schools, have nicer clothing. If the banks approve it then, the person should be able to reasonably afford it. The problem is not with Joe the Plumber taking out a mortgage and being unable to repay it. The problem is when Joe the Plumber applies for the mortgage, having no idea what he can afford on his $30,000/year, and the bank telling him he qualifies for $500,000 home. When Jo the Plumber falls behind the bank then would rather allow him to fall into repossession instead of altering the terms of his loan, to affordable monthly payments! That way the bank has money rolling in and the owner gets to keep their home.

Banks are scam artist! With this bailout the public will still loose their homes and the banks still get paid for them. Then the bank will come and buy those foreclosed homes from the government for little to nothing and sell them again to the American people, make a profit, thus, creating this fictional property bubble once more.

[stevejbons]

More than anything the GOP has angered many Americans - even those on the Right - for their utter lack of ethics, morals and competence. Now its time for the pigeons to come home to roost.
Bush did not "win" two close elections. He lost them both but the gutless U.S. news media and Democratic Party let them get away with massive electoral fraud that many citizens still do not know happened. To bring the nation back to its former greatness (if that is still possible), there simply must be a tough investigation of the RNC, present and former Bush administration officals and yes, some of these people need to go to jail.
If Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and another dozen or so people involved in hacking the vote, lying about the rational for war, profiting from defense contracts, tearing down the wall between church and state, bilking the public with nonsense like No Child Left Behind so their relatives and friends can scoop up federal educaton dollars, then we're in need of a complete revamping of our media, the DOJ and the way our "elected" officials govern.

[AZ4thatone]

Well stated, I couldn't agree with you more.

[Richmoves]

Amen, very well put.

[joanjourne]

stevejbons,
I second that, absolutely. The mountain of evidence of "massive electoral fraud" MUST be examined seriously. Congress's refusal to do so has been unconscionable.

[papapj]

Yeah..think of what these guys are getting away with next time some poor soul on his third strike gets slammed up for life for stealing candy.....

[mckinley]

This happened under the presidency of an Evangelical Christian. That is simply the fact.

[lesterbud]

Actually, he was a Fake Evangelical.
I know, seems a bit redundant, but the fact is Bush would have called himself a Pine Nut if the Vegan vote would win him an election and open the doors to the money and power grabs so aptly described by stevejbons. He has no actual faith. He only says and does what his masters tell him to say and do.

[Emlyn]

I think this whole eight years of Republican rule was planned by rich interests and friends of GWB who wanted everything their way. They cared nothng for the people of the country. Shame on them!

[Spiritgirl2]

Not to mention that this Imperial Executive ripped off the American taxpayers so badly our grandchildren will still be paying for this! And he's deluded himself to believe that "history" will vindicate his actions! LMAO on that one!!!!!