Let's just say the Iraq War was a smashing success

[bluestateguy]

It isn't, but what if it was?

What if Iraq became a perfect Madisonian democracy: secular, pro-US and tolerant of dissent? What if the war's civilian casualties were minimal, and US casualties were minimal? What if the cost in money was minimal too?

Let's say all of those things had happened. Then it still would have to be asked why we did what we did. Iraq was no threat to the US. Iraq had no relationship with Al Qaeda, much less 9/11, so what we were doing was not even an act of pre-emptive self-defense. Al Qaeda operates a lot more freely in "our friends" Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Furthermore, where in the US Constitution does it obligate the US to spread our system of government around the world?

[yy4me]

1. Our thoughts exactly.

For years my family has wondered why we have to bring "democracy" to every corner of the world. What makes us the judges of what kind of government is the best? Because "we believe" does not make it so. We are past the point where we should keep our noses out of everyone else's business and start taking care of business at home. Now more than any other time, we need to take care of ourselves.

[dmkinsey]

3. Particularly ironic

US "spreading the glory of democracy" when our own elections are decidedly not free and fair.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. That's what the repubs and their Dem allies are saying.

Don't make it so.