Fantasy Politics USA

Hillary Clinton drew out her blueprint for the foreign policy of a future Clinton White House in a recent article in Foreign Affairs. She starts out to say that a great nation needs respect from the rest of the world and, “the Bush administration has squandered the respect, trust, and confidence of even our closest allies and friends.” “To reclaim our proper place in the world, the United States must be stronger, and our policies must be smarter,” Clinton writes. “I will rebuild our power and ensure that the United States is committed to building a world we want, rather than simply defending against a world we fear.” She offers ways to restore America’s global leadership and says, “Ending the war in Iraq is the first step.” She said she would end the Bush policy of isolating the enemy and instead use diplomacy. “True statesmanship requires that we engage with our adversaries, not for the sake of talking but because robust diplomacy is a prerequisite to achieving our aims,” Clinton wrote. She takes a tough stand on Iran saying, “If Iran does not comply with its own commitments and the will of the international community, all options must remain on the table.” She then sets out a series of conditions for Iran that sounds a lot like the Bush administration. Clinton writes, “if Iran is in fact willing to end its nuclear weapons program, renounce sponsorship of terrorism, support Middle East peace, and play a constructive role in stabilizing Iraq, the United States should be prepared to offer Iran a carefully calibrated package of incentives.” Clinton would try to set good examples to rouge states like Iran and North Korea by “taking dramatic steps to reduce our nuclear arsenal,” which would, “help the United States regain the moral high ground.” Not only is it important to engage with adversaries but Clinton wants to strengthen our ties with our allies. She claims she wants to revive the American idea which will make America great again.
Alan Cosgrove

Rudy Giuliani has gone around the US telling us he is the best candidate to protect us from a terrorist attack because of his experience during 9/11. Yesterday during a question and answer session at a town hall meeting a questioner wanted to know how Giuliani planned on protecting the earth. “If something living on another planet and it’s bad and it comes over here, what would you do?” the young boy asked. This caught Giuliani by surprised and said he has never faced a question about an alien invasion, but. “Of all the things that can happen in this world, we’ll be prepared for that, yes we will. We’ll be prepared for anything that happens,” said Giuliani. Truthfully Giuliani has about as much experience dealing with aliens as he does with the terrorist, so his answer makes sense. Giuliani’s campaign theme has been preparedness so he couldn’t just say he has no plans for aliens. If we are lucky then it will be like in ‘Mars Attack’ and they will wipe out all the politicians so we can start out again with a clean slate.
Alan Cosgrove

Hillary Clinton was giving a speech before a room full of union members and leaders, and told them we need to look at trade deals every five years. Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during his presidency, and many union members have problems with that agreement because it displaces American workers. Hillary Clinton agreed and said NAFTA suffered from “serious shortcomings.” “I think it is time that we assess trade agreements every five years to make sure they’re meeting their goals or to make adjustments if they are not,” Clinton said. “And we should start by doing that with NAFTA.” Clinton also laid out the details of her economic plans that she said would benefit the shrinking middle class. Clinton pointed out that in 2005 all the economic gains went to the top 10% while the other 90% saw a loss in income. “We have to change our economic course just as we have to change course in Iraq and change course when it comes to healthcare,” she said. “I judge the health of our economy by asking whether our middle class is expanding and getting ahead. This administration has failed that test. Mine will not.” In addition to reviews of trade agreements every five year, Clinton will appoint a federal trade enforcement officer who would monitor compliance with trade agreements. Clinton’s opponents have attacked her for NAFTA. Particularly John Edwards who said he would renegotiate the agreement because it cost American jobs. Clinton is showing her independence by breaking again with the previous Clinton presidency. So with Hillary you get all the good stuff you remember about Bill, and she promises to address the other stuff with her own policies.
Alan Cosgrove