What do you think was the intention of America when it was born? What do you think America is now? What do you want America to be in the future?

@GeistInTheMachine What do you think would be the reaction of countries overseas that the USA offers aid to if we suddenly stopped offering it?

Does that include lopsided trade deals as well?

@GardenSage From what I understand, a lot of so-called "aid" gets funneled into corrupt foreign institutions/governments, and much of the money doesn't reach those who need it most.

I think foreign investment might be a better strategy.

Other countries need to take care of themselves, unless there is a serious crisis (such as a genocide or famine), in which case, perhaps the US can lead a coalition of its allies to help directly, with the approval of the American people.

We can also help other countries by not wasting taxpayer dollars on bombing them, or subsidizing their bad practices.

I'm against bad trade deals as well, but I think the US needs to use its leverage to get good, sustainable deals strategically, instead of pulling out of them abruptly.

@GeistInTheMachine I agree with much of this. I won’t assume anything about funneling money away from the needy... and I also won’t judge the dynamics of trade deals...

Are you Libertarian?

(Also am not necessarily agreeing with your initial statement on what the USA was when it was born.)

@GardenSage That's fine.

No, I'm mostly left-wing.

But on foreign policy I align well with most Libertarians.

@GeistInTheMachine how do you feel about bloated, swollen governments? Do you feel comfortable in how they channel and spend money?

@GardenSage No. They spend taxpayer money like mad on quagmires like the Middle East, and general waste and corruption.

I think they should re-invest that money on infrastructure, and the lower and middle classes.

Then you might even be able to cut taxes on top of that, because the US burns money like there's no tomorrow.

It's Win-win. All you need is to stop wasteful wars and wasteful spending.

@GeistInTheMachine what do you think our responsibility is reguarding nuclear weapons and the possibility of humans destroying ourselves?

@GardenSage Gradual, Long-term multilateral non-proliferation and partial disarmament.

Or just let the Doomsday Clock hit midnight and call it a day.

Humans have run their course at this point. It's frankly unsustainable. I believe a critical mass has been breached, and it's only a matter of time.

@GeistInTheMachine so you give up on that front?
Or are you being cynical again...?

Bear in mind that even with disarmament, the knowledge to build nuclear weapons still exists and won’t disappear.

@GardenSage I see "cynical" as another word for "realistic."

After my life is over, I have no stake I'm the future of humanity. There's no love lost there, unfortunately.

No desire to have kids, and I'm not deeply attached emotionally to my family. Although, I care for their futures, I just don't see a rosy picture longterm.

[sep]

I know. That's why I said "partial disarmament."

@GeistInTheMachine lets say one day you have kids, does your view change?

What should be done about rogue nations attempting to gain nuclear power after disarmament?

@GardenSage That contingent isn't going to happen. I'm an anti-natalist, currently single again, and I'm going to get a vasectomy before diving into another serious relationship.

[sep]

How do you define a "rogue nation?" Iran? North Korea? They're not really "rogue," crazy or suicidal.

Those nations are just playing their own geopolitical chess game - they know what they're doing.

They can be easily negotiated with, or otherwise ignored.

I don't believe in full disarmament.

As four groups like ISIS attempting to get nukes or a "dirty bomb," I think they can be pre-empted but not destabilizing volatile regions, and tightening international security.

@GeistInTheMachine So how has your lack of stake in humanity’s future molded your view? Do you not care about anyone else’s stake in the future either?

@GardenSage It colors my views completely, but it largely depends on my mood.

I'm a humanist on a good day, and on misanthropist on other days.

I honestly can't say I care much currently, but that's subject to change.

Overall, I don't see humanity as a good species that should be kept around for much longer.

We're living on borrowed time, and acting like we can sustain this forever.

It's selfish... But reality is a cold bitch.

@GeistInTheMachine then as a person who lacks a stake in humanities future, why do you have an opinion about current political climates?

@GardenSage Because it used to fascinate me, and take me out of my own head as a distraction.

I no longer follow the news, or geopolitics. Not for a few months.

Regardless, as long as I remain breathing, I do have a stake.

But there is very little I can control, presently.

I can only put my ideas out into the ether, and see who agrees.

@GeistInTheMachine so would you say that you lean left because of what you call your selfish lack of future stake?

@GardenSage You misunderstand.

I wasn't saying I was being selfish in lacking a stake in the future of humankind, rather, I meant that humanity is being selfish by acting as though it can attain infinite growth on a planet with finite resources.

I am not left-leaning due to my pathologies, rather, I'm left-leaning because part of me cares deeply about people.