FEIN: Rethinking U.S. role

Yes! I don't want to return to isolationism, but we have neither the authority nor the power to impose democracy on the rest of the world. Far too many of our politicians, of both parties and of both the legislative and executive branches seem to think that is our mission. Wilson started this nonsense and it seems that every president since gets a severe case of Wilsonian hubris and wants to save the world from itself. The US prospered for most of its history by dealing with all governments as they existed. So long as a country is not a significant threat to us, we can leave them alone. As Mr. Fein suggests, we can make it clear that utter destruction awiats those who attack us. Another thought: The UN was formed in a utopian effort (under US leadership)to keep the peace and further democracy. We can all see what a success that has been!

If executive despotism exists, it is within the bounds of the Constitution and approved by Congress. Mr. Fein's case ignores history. Where does Manifest Destiny fall within his perception of executive despotism. His analysis is always an arrogant tautology that uses extreme terms to make his point, is condescending to people who do not agree and never proves a violation of the Constitution. It's like he is jury shopping.

Mr Fein's commentary is on the mark. An inescapable fact of world history is that empires, over time, exhaust themselves of the fiscal and moral resources required to maintain forces and infrastructure beyond their borders. His assessment of our founding and more importantly founding principles are refreshingly accurate. Keep writing, Mr Fein, and maybe one day we will once again be a self governing people, united in our belief in the Rule of Law.