Jacob G. Hornberger: MORE DARK SIDE FROM THE EMPIRE

http://fff.org/2013/06/28/more-dark-side-from-the-empire/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=more-dark-side-from-the-empire

During the Snowden controversy, the American people have been treated to a harsh dose of reality as to the true nature of the U.S. welfare-warfare state. The crisis has caused the U.S. welfare-warfare state to drop its mantle of “good and benevolent” and to bare its iron fangs for all the world to see. Threats, blackmail, bribery, and extortion. It hasn’t been pretty.

Consider, for example, U.S. foreign aid. From the time they are six years old, Americans are inculcated with the notion that the U.S. government is a good and benevolent government, one that caringly and compassionately shares the wealth of American taxpayers with the people of the world.

But what Americans haven’t been taught is that the welfare state is nothing more than a velvet glove enveloping the iron fist of the warfare state. The Snowden controversy is showing people the reality of U.S. foreign aid and trade policy.

U.S. foreign aid and trade policies have nothing to do with wanting to help “the poor, needy, and disadvantaged” of the world. Instead, they are simply means of controlling and manipulating foreign regimes. They are another way to maintain and expand the hegemony of the U.S. government over the world.

“Do as we say, and we will do good things for you. Refuse to do as we say, and we will do bad things to you.” That’s the reality of the U.S. welfare-warfare state.