G.K. Chesterton On Imperialism

To Imperialism in the light political sense, therefore, my only objection is that it is an illusion of comfort; that an Empire whose heart is failing should be specially proud of extremities, is to me no more sublime a fact than that an old dandy whose brain is gone should still be proud of his legs.

-G.K. Chesterton in What's Wrong with the World

Although it has taken on different forms (music, movies, culture, and now governments), America is still highly imperialistic, and its sad that a country who is having a tough enough time trying to figure itself out is so willing to help others establish a faulty system. "Look at the elections in Iraq," they say. "Look at the democracy working there." Even if it were true, is democracy working here? Meanwhile, budget cuts are taking money away from badly needed education programs, Medicaid, advocacy groups and social services while the money poured into our military sky rockets in the billions of dollars. How does it make sense when schools can't afford textbooks in many parts of our country and yet we are spending billions of dollars in Iraq, not simply for thier infrastructure but primarily for miltary equipment and weapons of violence and death?

Are we proud of Iraq while our hearts are failing at home?