Why America is still relevant?

When we think of world powers, the United States of America, stands out as what is commonly referred to as the last remaining "Superpower". Certainly in terms of traditional military measures, we are blessed to be protected by the most powerful military in the world. The people making up our force structure are the best trained, have volunteered to serve, and are dedicated to Liberty. The technological innovations that our military bring to the fight are second to none. We are indeed blessed in this country that these amazing men and women in uniform are on our side, doing what they do, so the rest of us can live the good life.

Military power alone, however, isn't what makes America relevant. What makes us relevant, and important, is the way America has used her power for good. When you think about the outcome of significant world conflicts over the past century, you might find that although they all have different stimuli, and the players may change, they all rhyme...

People are being repressed, rights are being violated, and a dictatorial leader is using power and force against his own people, and/or neighboring powers.

America's role in these conflicts also will vary, but, will have a similar rhyme as well...

America will stand by free people, or those longing to be free, and will use her military and economic might to pressure the oppressive ruler, and return people to a free state. We don't seek to expand, or rule, we just want a self governing people that will function in the neighborhood of free countries.

I think about what has happened in the past, and wonder why so many countries we have helped have such a short memory. Do the great powers of Europe recall how the United States stepped into WWI and WWII to provide arms and supplies, and eventually the full might of our armed forces to vanquish the aggressive expansionist powers that were running them over? After the beating that France and Britain suffered at the hands of the Germany and Italy, when we worked together to defeat the Axis powers, do people also recall that we were the first to come to the aid of both our allies, and enemies, in rebuilding their countries when the conflict was over? America was in a position to take a great deal back, but, instead, we sought to make sure that the soverign nations were once again self governing, and able to be self sufficient.

When we rebuilt Europe, and Japan after WWII, there was certainly some mutual benefit for US industry, but, we are also the country that essentially forgave many of the war debts, rather than forcing their repayment, with interest, when Europe and Japan were back on their feet. Wouldn't it be nice to have some of that money back in our coffers, to pay down our debt now. Debt, by the way, that is partly increasing because of internal spending, but, also because we have forces around the globe, in multiple conflicts. We also borrow to help nations whenever there's a dissaster. We borrow, incur debt, to help countries that have never, and likely will never be in a position to help the United States. We do it because we know that it's the right thing to do.

We are still doing similar things today. Who is rebuilding Iraq, Kuwait? What happens when there's a flood, earthquake, sumami? While people can quibble about how we make things happen, the bottom line is that without our involvement, does anyone really think that some other world power would pick up the slack?
One of these days, it would be nice if instead of taking up an argument against America, we'd start hearing an occasional "thank you"...