A Defense of Isolationism

Isolationism --- The belief that one's country should remain free from international alliances, treaties and affairs to any extent possible (Webster's New World Dictionary). Before World War I this was the accepted foreign policy of the American Government and the American people. That is why the "America First" movement sprang up during the war, to protest America's involvement in the entangling alliances of the Old World and directly violating the good advice of President George Washington. Now, however, American foreign policy has changed and she cannot seem to involve herself enough in the affairs which rightfully belong to other people and not to her. Meddling in the affairs of foreign governments, fighting costly, unnecessary wars, maintenance and upkeep of military bases in 157 of the 200 countries on earth --- these are just a few examples. It is time that America stop interfering with the politics of other countries and focus solely on those that directly affect her. If the rest of the world wants to be governed by a tyrannical dictator, then let them be so governed. It is not the responsibility of America to be the policeman of the world. And in part because she is trying to be the world's policeman, America has internally spiralled out of control. If you are an American citizen, it is your duty --- I repeat, your duty --- to take care of the problems and affairs of your native country before deliberating on any matter from any other country or entity in the rest of the world. That is one of the reasons that the Founding Fathers repeatedly warned against becoming engaged in "entangling alliances." Alexander Hamilton said in Pacificus, No. 6 in 1793, "Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence." This from the man who had travelled the world by the time he was eighteen. If he was convinced that America's government could not remain uninfluenced by foreign powers, it is imperative to take the counsels of wise men such as he to heart and follow it.