The ignorant and uninformed cadre of advisers surrounding President Trump have justified his desired expansionism in the Western Hemisphere (the “Donroe Doctrine”) on the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. Rather than supporting Trump’s goals, the Monroe Doctrine categorically rejects them.
As a “baby” nation of roughly 50 years (1776-1823), the U.S. feared colonization in the Western Hemisphere by leading European powers in Britain, France and Spain and told them we would not tolerate it. JFK used the same justification for the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. It worked in both cases.
The Monroe Doctrine did not call for American expansionism and manifest destiny. Gobbling up Canada, Greenland, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Columbia and Venezuela is un-American, tarnishes our image around the world and quite simply throws traditional American values “out the window.” Rather than the leader of the free world, we would become the “bully” of the world.
Furthermore, by pursuing these aims, Trump is opening the door for China to take Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries and for Russia to take Ukraine, other former republics of the former USSR, and even attack neighoring NATO nations. Can World War III be far behind?
Tom Tarosky
West Leechburg