gonefishiing wrote

In doing so they have turned world opinion against us,
alienated many former allies,

Like France? Russia? China? Now who's been lacking
in historical accuracy? I'm wondering who all these new
"enemies" will turn to when they need either financial or
military assistance.

France has just turned to the US for more help on the war on AIDS.

We should formally offer them the option of statehood, if they want
a say in our government.

Most nations do not contribute their fair share to solving important
world problems like AIDs and terrorism. They leave the expense
for research, manpower and technology to the US.

These countries say they want our help, but really they want our
money, and they want to decide how and where to spend it. Much
of the money earmarked to help people in need goes instead to
lining the bank accounts of foreign politicians. That must be
minimized.

Whoever foots the bill should run the show. If foreign nations
don't like it, they are free to pay for whatever they want to do.

Financial leverage is the most powerful leverage. The US should
halt foreign aid and trade to nations that do not treat us with respect.
If we are not liked, we should vote with our feet and go elsewhere.

We should make it plain that if our generous good-will is unrewarded,
it will stop. If our citizens whether they be tourists, missionaries, or
businessmen are killed on foreign soil, and the criminals that commit
these crimes are not punished, foreign aid and trade will stop immediately.
We should be clear we expect foreign nations to guarantee property
rights, human rights, and just laws for everyone.

Finally, if our position is clear, as a last resort, the threat of war will
produces results, and prevent wars--only if the threat is real not an
empty one posed by well meaning, but misguided liberals. This has
been shown recently by Lybia's about face on terrorism.

If we did these things, world opinion would change, country by
country, starting with foreign leaders who set the tone in their home
countries.