But what, then, should the American reaction be? How do we handle situations like this and, should we react with force, what should be done after once Surrender is Rendered?
For that, let us look to History:
Following World War I, the idea was to take revenge on Germany, making it impossible for them to become a power in the region again. The crippling payback leveled on Germany lead to an economic disaster that saw the rise of the Nazis.
Following World War II, America poured an never-before-seen amount of money into restoring our former enemies in Germany an Japan. We did not want to see another Hitler come to power. As a result, both have become economic players on the world stage and, until only this recent economic downturn, have managed to nearly eradicate dangerous and fascist elements within their own discourse. It should be noted that the harsh austerity that is feeding a rise in new European fascism is similar to the austerity forced on Germany after World War I.
Following the Korean War, American money again flowed into South Korea in an attempt to show that the American way of life was better than the Soviet influence in North Korea. Years later, the benefits of public American aid can be seen, even from space.
Unfortunately, our approach to conflict changed not long after that. President Eisenhower, three days before leaving office, warned of an insidious threat where people would wage war not for good, not for defense, but for profit. Ever since, the US has suffered from confused and ultimately poisonous policies toward that end.
Following the War in Afghanistan, we again did not spend our money wisely, letting private contractors run wild. Like Iraq, Afghanistan is now destabilized as our troops try to leave, and is in danger of falling back into the grip of the Taliban, rendering our entire invasion violent and pointless.
Following the Second Iraq War, America has seemed more interested in punishing the ill-defined enemy than helping the people get back on their feet. As a result we see private corporations fleecing the US government for billions, and a destabilized Iraq leading to the creation of the terrifying Islamic State. Just like in Germany following the Great War, using the stick instead of the carrot leads to madness.
Following the Vietnam War, the US left in disgrace after going to war on shoddy pretenses. Decades later, companies outsource to the Communist country, which now supplies cheap labor for our manufactured consumer products. We did not surrender in Vietnam when Saigon fell, but it seems our big businesses are all too willing to submit to Communism if the price is right
The answer could not be clearer: the answer is not more bombs, the answer is not more hate. When we rendered surrender from the Germans and the Japanese, we did so with the knowledge that we would, and should, help them get back on their feet. For one final example, let us look at the Big American Banks who, after receiving large amounts of support money, are now doing better than ever.
The verdict is in: Public Spending Works. History, and the bank, Says So.
When we run our system for the profit of the few and that alone, we are doing nothing but enriching a small group of people while sowing the seeds for the next nightmare to come. Maniacs in government will then insist again on obliterating the nightmare with no follow-up plan, ensuring the next profitable war. Perhaps these maniacs could take a look at the book they claim to know so well the next time they bring their swaggering bravado to the forefront:
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"
-Matthew 5:44
