The US Doesn't Pursue Foreign Policy, Only Security Policy

Patrick Lawrence, writer and executive editor of The Scrum, analyzes the roots of US foreign policy failures, how these are reflected in the current confrontation with Russia, which can be found the US establishment’s weddedness to power and to an unwillingness to see the other’s perspective.

[@diehardcat]

Neither does it pursue a 'security policy.' What it's been pursuing is imperialist policy. Since birth, the US has never had an external or internal threat to its security.

[@klam77]

It's been a very biased war policy favoring a "few" select chosen elite ethno-social-class sub groupings.

[@saelind73]

Exactly.

[@j.j7380]

Internal threats yes. The civil war for example. The USA is its own worse enemy.

[@Mr.Nichan]

The War of 1812 and the Civil War are possible exceptions, although the USA kind of created the threat in 1812 by declaring war on the UK for attacking American ships, and the Civil War was a threat to the unity/territorial integrity rather than the existence of the USA, since the USA could have just recognized the CSA's independence and removed federal troops from the confederacy (separating out those from CSA states to form the CSA military) before (or, indeed, after) the CSA attacked Fort Sumpter.

[@commonsense6489]

Very good discussion. I had not crossed Mr. Lawrence before, but he is a well informed, fair minded, worldly man. Will be following him.

[@MariaMMCardoso]

I'm still not convinced that the "difficulty in understanding the Russians" is not by design. After all, the Russians are doing exactly what was expected. The failure, in this case is in antecipating the boomerang consequences for the US but to me, that's a product of the exceptionalism belief that makes everybody think that the US can only always win.

[@klam77]

Just support the Neocons. Whatever they choose is right. I wonder what war is next?

[@PonyTrotsky]

No kidding! The USA thinks it will always win, and that it's always morally right. The fact that we've been losing for decades, and that the world now sees us as bullies rather than saviors, never seems to dawn on us, no matter how much evidence accumulates against us.

[@carmenonea3800]

KARMA they reap what they sow

[@averayugen8462]

Indeed. Since Vietnam its been a knee jerk reactionist directionless country here

[@johngraves6878]

Two of my favorite people produce an absolutely awesome, deep interview to which I will be listening and quoting again and again. Wow. Robert, I'm SO glad I found your podcast -- solid gold.

[@hermanhsu5994]

A real democratic leader should be accountable for its own people, if all the money spent for disastrous wars to profit the military industry complex instead of spent on its infrastructures and social welfare, the US would be the most beautiful and attractive country of the world. But the hope is diminishing day by day.

[@nv7287]

yes just watch sri lanka dissolve a few short years of a greedy family dynasty to see a democracy slip into an oligarchy (maybe 80 people have doomed an entire country of 21.92 million) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOWi31nrMxpfsU

[@litesp]

America never lived up to that aspiration even since its founding.

[@rkpvalluru5965]

If US does not involve in affairs of other countries, most of international problems disappear.

[@HeresMyView]

The leopard cannot change its spot. US economy is based on war profits. They make wars to survive and survive to make wars.

[@slly4276]

So true. It’s always US on the shores of other people but hardly the other way around. They form the Quad, the AUKUS etc.

[@grandwonder5858]

USA: "Problems are what make us rich! How would you expect us to sell trillions of dollars worth of weapons to other countries without the problems that we are creating around the world?"

[@SofaKingShit]

The fact that this guy used to be a msm journalist just goes to show how far that profession has fallen.

[@MaryBeth551]

Thank you for a rational discussion of America's descent into warmongering and profiteering and why Russia might feel threatened by us & NATO

[@samliew6610]

Besides Russia, all other countries feel threatened by US, especially. Why can't we all live peacefully and harmoniously? All now feel that US is the greatest threat to world peace.

[@_Stroda]

@@samliew6610 Utter nonsense. There are plenty of countries that see the US as their primary defence against other countries (whether Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, etc.). It's not even 'pro-America' to state this. It's a simple fact. If you're unwilling to accept it for ideological reasons, your views on these matters are an irrelevance.

[@samliew6610]

@@_Stroda Of course as most of them do not have any choice as they will be threatened with sactions, interference for colour revolutions/ regime change. With more than 700 military bases all over the world, how many dare to object or not toe the line??

[@arthol51]

@@_Stroda Tosh...37 nations feel like that ... the other 156 nations of the world do not. The US alliance is tiny.

[@cheeptiger196]

@@arthol51 if it is so tiny why is there so much fear of the US

[@arlenechambers5627]

Exactly Sir, the US is failing to understand Russia's point of view.

[@raykirkham5357]

Ham handed U.S. policy makers and mouthpieces don't try to understand anything. They are just grasping assholes keeping America at odds with the rest of the world so their bosses (MIC) will let them stay in power. We are on a down escalator. OUR LEADERS are the greatest threat we face.

[@stavroskarageorgis4804]

It's not "Russia's point of view" that is not understood, it is Russia's capabilities and *commitments* ("values"). The endgame for the Euroatlanticists re the RF is "regime change" and/or dis-integration. Shockingly, they're attempting to do vis-a-vis the RF what they did to Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The RF was very wrong in its expectations regarding the collapse of Ukraine's state capacities after the initial invasions, as well as the presence of a sufficiently large, well-placed, and integrated "fifth column" in the Ukrainian military and security apparatus. The US and NATO likewise were very wrong regarding the RF economy's resilience, robustness, and the like plus the RF administrative state's capacity to learn and adapt.

[@nuera775]

A great piece of thorough, deep and broad analysis of current world events in general and Ukraine crisis in particular. Highly recommended.

[@banshong3997]

Great and balanced. Very insightful and totally balanced in presenting the reasons for the current situation

[@jvs333]

What a great conversation by two serious intellectuals. Thank you. I think after the fall of the USSR, the US “believed” they now owned the world and could do as they pleased as there was no one equal to contest them. Reminds me of the story “the tortoise and the hare”. The US has for 30 yrs was intoxicated in their self delusional mindset that there was no competitor(s) and dismissed the tortoises (China, Russia) and now like the hare is having a difficult time accepting that the tortoise(s) are winning and “will”, and America’s self entitled “American exceptionalism” privilege righteousness seems psychotically incapable of dealing with that reality. So they’re desperately trying to bully, bribe, threaten, fear monger, other nations into joining its proxy 3 prong world war(s): EU/Ukraine: Russia, Japan/South Korea/Taiwan: China, and now Israel wants the US to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE: Iran. The irony is all these desperate proxy wars and sanctions are turning out to be the very things that are putting an end to the US 20th century hegemonic, global military, petro-dollar, and sanctions. We are witnessing the end of US hegemony/dollar/sanctions. Putin brilliantly turned the switch

[@rdi3543]

While listening to the discussion of the absence of professionalism in the State Department, I was reminded of John Stuart Mill's observation: "he who knows only his own position knows little of that".

[@Marcus410]

Just ordered the Hoffman book after hearing it referenced in this discussion. Many thanks !

[@gerry4281]

Pride, greed, and lack of courage and humility. Good discussion.

[@unveiledeyes6558]

Watching this and hearing Chas Freeman's other talks leave one really pining for good old, thinking American diplomats, true diplomats and not the sorry excuses found in the Nulands, Blinkens and Sullivans of the West ...

[@tomt55]

Many topics were discussed but the elephant in the room is the political economy we all live under (capitalism) that serves the owners of society, and to a lesser extent, the managers of this terrible system. Until we discuss how things are owned we will never get to the root of the issue. A people first system must replace capitalism for us to even have a glimmer of hope.

[@kevinjohnson9533]

Great comment Tom T. There is always Chomsky!! lol

[@williamerdman4888]

Amazingly silly statement.

[@nightoftheworld]

@@williamerdman4888 the owners of society should be the people who build its institutions/companies. We have a 10% union rate in this country and millions spent by corporations lobbying for subsidies (welfare checks) which they then spend on stock buybacks. This does nothing for the hard working people of the US other than depress their wages and empower populist politicians. Capitalism fails to deliver for the majority who work hard, it has been this way for roughly half a century now-that seems to be what the comment is pointing at, and very accurately IMO. This nation is captured by corporate greed as Bernie constantly highlights, the system must be refigured to honor/reward working class efforts or this country will be cannibalized by elite psychopathology.

[@williamerdman4888]

@@nightoftheworld Far too simplistic. You step on your own arguments multiple times, and you don't even realize it.

[@nightoftheworld]

@@williamerdman4888 more like very obvious to almost every working American. What are your arguments?

[@bhasb9067]

Those of us who grew up in the 50 and 60s and 70s were aware and frightened by the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To Blinken and Sullivan a nuclear war is just a thought experiment.

[@averayugen8462]

really its no lie... these people speaking are the real leaders and everyone here should join them...

[@t0t3m68]

Thank you Patrick Lawrence for the truthful and insightful view of current crisis. Thank you for the enlightenment.

[@benjaminjiin8432]

7:30 Concerning your thoughts on the US gov need: My answer "cast down your bucket", "cast down your bucket". You say, we need fresh water, the water we have is old and stale. I say, "cast down your bucket".

[@oswarz]

Of course we would benefit greatly. Who is we? The.001% do not consider the rest of us, do not see the rest of us. How do you make them see?

[@ansa336]

The 'so-called' World richest man is buying Twitter and taking it private in broad daylight, during this economic upheaval. It is business as usual, there is no serious dissent about it.

[@eleanorwagner7981]

Thank you for this very inciteful discussion.

[@dr.gregoryweisswassernd7251]

Well informed discussion. Thanks

[@jackbeagle8458]

Amazing discussion, thank you.

[@tjw21bath]

Great guest! Thanks.

[@CarolPrice4p]

Thank you, new thinking is definitely needed about economics, foreign policy, perspectives etc. In some people`s case, thinking per se could be a good start... Please keep broadening and deepening people`s understanding of the possibility of existence of more than one point of view. I refuse to participate in the 2 minutes of hate.

[@liuyisheng9746]

a unique, refreshing but convincing viewpoint!

[@bellybutton6138]

Balanced discussion. Mindful of oneself and others. Well said. When one is dominant there is no need for diplomacy. It is hard raw power.

[@stephenlock7236]

That's where the majority of the American people has been bamboozled, lied to, misinformed, disinformed, misled and conned.

[@mikeb3947]

Great show.

[@jamesscott7616]

Wow this discussion is one of the best I have ever heard. I am swimming at a greater depth. Thank you.

[@maxheadrom3088]

I love these interviews - I learn a lot and also get so many good books to read from them.

[@andrewroddy3278]

The remarks about 'refusing to understand the terrorists' makes me think immediately of Margaret Thatcher and her attitude and policy toward Irish Republicans during the eighties. There was never going to be a peace process or a political settlement as long as Thatcher was at the helm in Number 10. Was she operating on anachronistic, imperialist axioms that in some sense mirror the operating assumptions in Washington that come in for such sharp criticism in this discussion? This was great guys. Thanks.

[@terrystraker2459]

Thanks gentlemen and peace to bought of you.

[@kevinbrannan8347]

Antony Bliken Liz Truss Analysis and others spot on. I Agree especially on your view NATO should back down ,when they believe Russia is weakend they have made statements to reflect there will be no going back to the before status. Poverty for many is coming so the few can keep prosperity Great Insight this interview gives hope. Darth Vader himself Kissinger even thinks more what is going wrong

[@medialcanthus9681]

"We rather than me" : last time Kennedy thought about it, what happened to him? Last time Clinton thought about it, what happened to him?

[@stephenlock7236]

Clinton has been a lot luckier. He didn't lose half the top of his head.

[@rajkobjelica4905]

Clinton is what he alway's has been: Corrupt.

[@medialcanthus9681]

@@rajkobjelica4905 all of them are corrupted. Just difference how one party takes the other down or kill the other or make some "-gate" or scandal or fix the voting . Or which side hates China or Russia more.

[@stupidwars88]

Sadly Americans that I now admire like Mr Lawrence here are so few & far in between. Today too many Americans are caught in an endless repetitive loop of to quote Mr Lawrence "a catechism of cliche democracy, freedom" & can't free themselves from this self-imposed box. America may not be the hegemon anymore in terms of raw economic, resource numbers but Mr Lawrence's ideas & perspectives can still attract the best, brightest & well-meaning talent of the world.

[@michstockholm1164]

Thanks 😊

[@ericbruun9020]

How about inviting some engineers who work with infrastructure? Too many economists only offer generic suggestions, which are largely useless.

[@pazitor]

The real and repeating issue is this: when one feels they are in the right, there is a tendency to feel justified in _enforcing_ "the good". "Good" ideology -- be it Left or Right -- is its own justification. What I am finding on this channel, so far, indicates it remains locked in that same error. New thinking? Not really. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. It must be torn up and replaced with a slow walk along a path revealed only step by step in cautious recognition of ignorance and bias.

[@zevlove612]

Brilliant!

[@leftykeys6944]

Have either of you guys considered running for President? You'd have my vote in a heartbeat.

[@alumky]

My humble believe, money policy

[@mahlahlana]

When I am old I want to be like these old heads…wise calm and honest. What’s Lawrence said though about Lis Trauss 😂😂

[@BryanChance]

It's "War policy" .

[@averayugen8462]

maybe Orwell knew best. Freedom is slavery. The right wingers act like that now.

[@GOBEF3]

Wonderful chat ;) mesmerizing! But i'd like to ask you gents both: do you personally believe it at all possible that we shall wake up & see the light? or must we first collapse down to our economic-knees, before we give up our failing-Empire to save our Republic ?? Please...

[@kiwitrainguy]

I would put my money on the second option.

[@peterburanick8785]

Thinking starts with basic logic, not taught, opinion is not discernment.

[@yuanhaochue2889]

The host mentioned about Kishore Mahbubani, the book is titled The Asian Century, well it is not s surprise that Westerners just will not be captivated the Kishore narratives.. the sane with u m many others Western Intellectuals. That is the root of the problem that the Westerners will not jump out from the self contained paradigm that will not be capable to reinvent its Supremacy Folly, which will disconnect itself from the developing world just like the British continued to be isolated from main stream European circles n it's colonial influence.. Guest speaker mentioned about Blinken n Jade Sullivan lack of understanding about Chinese cultural n political perspectives is typical of American Deep State being manifested by the swing between GOP n Democrat.. without much consideration for subject knowledge n . professionalism ..

[@yuanhaochue2889]

@crazywarlord777 well, difference frame the world ...everyone has its own perspectives, nevertheless, the world need some one like Prof. Mahbubani as Secretary- general rather than this current Western incumbent that often just being politically correct to oblige US n Western unipolar geopolitical playbooks n the latest is Ukraine Crisis but just ignored n rather silent on Yemen n Afganistan... Western Sentiments towards Kishore is just expected to be more negative because the reality n truth hurts as well as against the political n career patronage of these spectrum of think tanks, academics, public intellectuals in particular in compliance to the attitude n paradigm of the majority populace that are ignorant about their insecurity to face s more challenging n competitive world dynamics.. simply deduction,. US gain the most with the sales of military goods during this Ukraine Crisis. EU is so gullible with regards to Zelenskyy being a corrupt US pawn after all it has been proven both US n UK military experts are managing this war on behalf of Zelenskyy/Ukraine..

[@Thinkerbit1691]

PREMIERE The US Doesn't Pursue Foreign Policy, Only IN-Security Policy

[@banshong3997]

That's why everytime they invade others they say it's for "American security"

[@stevenhenryandresen]

I hear that diplomacy is for the weak. I wonder, upon hearing this, whether diplomacy must be an odd sort of thing. If you are the strong, you can understand that, if true, it wouldn't be a desirable thing to do. Maybe a waste of time. If you are definitely weak, then diplomacy could be a way of delaying getting beaten up. A country having self-respect wouldn't want to admit, then, that it had resorted to diplomacy of this sort. In view of this, the meaning of diplomacy, and its prerequisites and implications, has to mean something about the resolution of conflict, instead of the working out of the demands of power.

[@stevenhenryandresen]

An observer of the political scene should understand the viewpoint of the world's players. What might be the viewpoint of Russian planners? Well, The fact that the success of the United States was based on genocide and slavery was not lost on the world. The central claim of America was about how its owners and operators had the right, or "manifest destiny" to take the land of the Americas and kill anyone, like the natives who lived on that land, who might object. The purpose of the killings and so forth was to get rich and powerful. So, as time went by, science was developed to justify and further white supremicy. Religious doctrine was developed to do the same. The idea that white people should get rich this way became quite popular throughout the world. So evangilists of this idea went from America to Europe to teach and hobnop with fellow thinkers. Adolf Hitler recieved this instruction and support. These American influencers told him, of course, that if you wanted to get rich like them, "Go East," and as Americans did, to their benefit, just kill anyone who might get in your way. After 1945 America benefitted by then being in a position to construct a worldwide structure of rules and finance designed to promote these ideas . Russian planners see themselves as being long time targets no different than America's native population,...standing on land American planners find valuable.

[@tanujSE]

The matter stand very simple It hardly means what is good and bad The production unit for survival

[@terrystraker2459]

All praise to Almighty God ; let me say something that might shed some light on what is being discuss . It was stated in the discussion that diplomacy is a sine of weakness ; strength can be a sine of arrogance, which can lead to a false sense of strength . Let’s look at where we are now ; all that is happening could have been prevented ; with a little diplomacy or sine of weakness, and countless life’s would have been saved. Lack of wisdom makes us , on willing to make the right decision . Let us seek peace above strength; in a changing world. All praise to Almighty God amen .

[@robertcox14]

It's really difficult to hear "our" policies and ideals as USA has become an Imperial Pariah, and the old patriotic All-American boys still go on with American Exceptionalism, Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny. As a politically aware Canadian, I have become fiercely anti-imperialist BECAUSE of what I know that USA has DONE in the past like Viet Nam. Some people hate and despise "Ugly Americans" still imposing their pomposity and arrogance and deadly hubris on the "other" people (the entire non-American global population) regarded as "second class" by Patriotic Maniacs like Pompeo and Bolton. American prejudice is so awesome, I don't want to watch more. Thank you, at 6:47. Good bye.

[@yeahdefinitely6607]

Fascinating dialogue, but damn that tie tucked into his shirt is annoying AF!!!

[@benharriston2532]

free speech ......makes a debate ....debate creates solutions ...if we dont figure it out ...we all might run out of time

[@stavroskarageorgis4804]

So, John Dewey was not a great philosopher? How about Alfred North Whitehead? Not a great philosopher? Just Ralph Waldo Emerson?

[@adtiamzon3663]

Look at the other side point of view! People Lives Matter. ❤🌏✌💪💪🇷🇺💪💪Donbass Region 🇺🇦

[@stavroskarageorgis4804]

Excellent substance but, at times, too circuitously and verbosely expressed.

[@kevinbrannan8347]

Linden laRouch and a new financial system Shiller institute

[@cassandra2249]

Time for one end of humanity to start talking to the other. Get rid if the right wing idiots and press some kind of reset button. Everyone needs to calm down and step back collectively. I recommend a summer of the proper use and not misuse of psychedelics, administered by great spiritual and healing minds. Yes I know it's radical, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. The collective trauma of humanity needs to be addressed and healed before it's too late.

[@greedyfirstalgorithmlast26]

“Do you-the Europeans-expect the Russians to invade North America?” “Yes. Any day now. Eminent domain, or whatever you English-speakers call it. Right of salvage.” He began to chuckle. “I am not their lawyer, but they will think of the correct words, and justify themselves in Geneva, if they haven’t bombed Geneva by then, too.” He stood with his hands spread on the table, around the paper. “No one is prepared to discuss what will happen to them if they do invade. The U.S. government in exile postures and threatens with its European-based troops and navy, but Russia does not take them seriously. Before your call last month, I had planned to go on my first vacation in seven years. Obviously, I cannot go on vacation,” he said. “Michael, you have brought something into my life that may kill me. Pardon my self-centered moment.” "Understood,” Bernard said quietly. “Old saying in Germany,” Paulsen-Fuchs said, staring at him. “ ‘It is the bullet you don’t hear that gets you.’ Does that have meaning for you?” He nodded. “Then work, Michael. Work very hard, before we are all dead by our own hand.”

[@7Samadhi777]

N.nNnn. N

[@999reader]

If this fellow is arguing that the US is as bad or worse than Russia, he may not have heard that expressing views critical of Putin these days will put him in jail - or worse. So much for equivalence. But speak on sir!

[@fredwelf8650]

I would disagree with the premise of this talk the the US Government, the state that is, is merely interested only in "defense" and not in maintaining or improving the conditions of production, trade, and generally improvement in social conditions. The state however is between a rock and a hard place, between the bourgeoisies or corporate elite including the banks and rentiers, and the people many of whom are not cooperating with any normative criteria, but merely acting out, resisting anarchically. Gun manufacturers are promoting this attitude! When you said that during negotiations, diplomatically or within the family or socially, one should not try to change the other, one should change one's own understanding of the other. Good idea, however, what if the other does not try to understand you? Who's the supplicant? Lastly, Putin's position could be explained by the US media providing Putin has a coherent position. No one has claimed that he has a coherent position, he simply did not like the old soviet satellites joining NATO, the EU, the UN, etc. Now that he has invaded and trashed the Ukraine, everyone will want to join NATO. He claimed that his country was surrounded?? This was an irrational claim indicating that his reasons for attacking Ukraine were pathological.

[@stephenlock7236]

The facts are all contrary to what you alleged.

[@fredwelf8650]

@@stephenlock7236 The facts are contrary?? So, name those facts which are contrary.

[@barneyleseven2854]

So the US should allow Russia to subjugate its neighbors, because a minority of individuals believe in a “multipolar world”? Pardon me for saying so, but this sounds stupid. How do either of you recommend that the US better respects Russia and China’s aspirations to engage in military expansionism/ revisionism and genocide? Not all governments are created equal. the fact that so many countries are desperate to join NATO, specifically for protection from and against Russian meddling and interference. Demonstrates why Russia should turn inwards and reevaluate how it approaches relations with its geopolitical neighbors. The cohosts of this show and the governments of both China and Russia refuse to acknowledge that all countries have agency. Taiwan and Ukraine both have the right to determine their own destiny free from cohesion and military blackmail. Ensuring that smaller countries have the freedom to exercise democracy in the face of their larger authoritarian neighbors is the tangible evidence of American power. Ill never understand why individuals like theses two, who are cheerleading for a victory of authoritarianism over democracy and pluralism is a real head scratcher. If theses two practiced their “independent journalism” in China or Russia they would likely be killed. Good thing they live in the US where their freedom to subvert their own country is protected.

[@delhi93]

Israel subjugates its neighbours and the palestinians. And the US support that unconditionally. If any those countries excercise their freedom to act against that, the US will sanction the hell out of them and strategically bomb them. The US has regime changed South America for about a century. Hawaii is a US state BECAUSE it is its outpost. The US occupies Guam and Porto Rico. How needs to turn inwards en do some reevaluating. The Ukraine did not determine its own destiny; Victoria Nuland (and the US ) did that. Those countries, eager to join NATO, are being forced (behind the curtain). And they will open up their countries to US military bases, missiles aimed at Russia (which will make those countries the first to be hit WHEN Washington decides to fire those missiles), opening the country up to the diversity of US institutions and NGO's and facilitating whatever Washington orders. In short, they have given op their freedom en their independence. Smaller countries are ensured by the US to have the US liberal democracy, nothing else. Independent journalism in the US? Come on. Julian Assange. Actual journalist may have more freedom in China and Russia, then in the west. Most so called journalist in the west are advocates, activist or intelligence agents.

[@msms2731]

You ain’t seen nuthin yet…… bout Murica the island….. 😂😂😂 enjoy and savor your world view…… for a few more years…. He he he….. he

[@bundleofperceptions1397]

I am very sad to have to say this, but this video pushes an idea that is foolish. We did not have a choice after WWII to do anything other than what we did. Prior to WWII the most powerful men of Capitalism were firmly on the side of the Fascists, both in the United States and Britain, because the Fascists were the ones fighting against Communism, the Capitalists in the U.S. were deathly afraid of the population pressing to bring the Communist system to America, as they had been prior to the Great Depression. When it became clear that FDR was more interested in entering the war against the Nazis, many of these Capitalists attempted to mount a coup against FDR, but their made the mistake of selecting a patriotic General to head the coup, and Smedley Butler turned them in, and the coup fell attempt apart. After the war, the American Capitalists wound up having the dominant position on the world stage, but the analysis of this video is that they were supposed to be willing to relinquish that dominance in favor of multi-polarity? For what? For the good of humanity? Seriously? Over their own self and class interests? That thinking seems to be more than a little naïve and infantile. Wishful thinking should be beneath men of high intellect. The facts must be analyzed accurately and soberly; we can't simply state that things "could" have been the way we wished they had turned out -- that's childish. If more U.S. citizens had a history of using their prefrontal cortex when selecting whom to vote for, instead of their amygdala, we "could" have a more intelligent group of representatives running our country, but alas that was not possible either. In 1944, the Democratic Party bosses "could" have let the popular Henry Wallace remain the VP, who would have become president when FDR passed, and things "could" have turned out differently, or the Capitalists "could" have made Truman Wallace's VP, assassinated Wallace, and then Truman would would have become president, and we would be right where we are.

[@leobhebhe2793]

what is the idea that it pushes?? Just answer in one sentence not a lecture