Other than a few short periods of isolationism in America's history, the United States has generally come to the aid of countries lacking democracy.
The most recent expedition in Libya follows that pattern.
Obama called for Gadhafi to step down, promising the Libyan rebels that the Libya they deserved was within reach.
Now, Obama and NATO have agreed to support radical Islamic al-Qaeda fighters in a proxy war in hopes of destabilizing the Libyan regime.
Ten years after 9/11 and our world leaders are putting weapons into the hands of members of the very group that brought down the Twin Towers. However, Abdul Hakim al-Hasadi, head of security of one of the opposition groups in rebel-held territory, claims his fighters are patriots and not terrorists, and that they are still good Muslims.
The notion that the al-Qaeda fighters are "good Muslims" somehow isn't settling with me.
I'm usually for the forgive-and-forget mentality, but the 2,976 people that died at the hands of al-Qaeda 10 years ago this week make me a little more wary of the situation.
Some are calling the mission in Libya "Obama's Iraq." While he didn't send thousands of troops to Libya as Bush did to Iraq, I think I understand.
There are plenty of things to be done on American soil.
Bush's war sent the economy into shambles, leaving Obama to pick up the pieces. Bush either forgot about the homefront or ignored it.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of Sept. 2, the unemployment rate in America stands at 9.1 percent. The Consumer Price Index increased 0.5 percent in July, and inflation rose to 3.6 percent in the last six months.
While I believe America has an obligation to aid oppressed nations as one of the world's democratic superpowers, the majority of our government's resources should be focused on its own country's issues.
I want to hear more about Obama's plans for creating jobs and less about Gadhafi. I want to see inflation falling and gross domestic product rising.
How are we going to fix everyone else if we can't even fix ourselves?
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