A Stronger United Nations

The US pays the most because the UN is paid by progressive taxation. Since we have the largest GNP, we pay the most, it's just like taxing in this country so I don't think that is unfair. As for risking far more, we went against the UN to go to Iraq for Bush's moronic attempt to jump at shadows. We are risking only because our leader is making us risk more.

Well it is unfair... To make a real global community, it shouldn't matter how much money you have, you should either have representation equal to your population or to your contributions... It won't work any other way...

"Peace can only come if we see ourselves as a global culture rather than a flaming sword-weilding crusader." Certainly, the above is true. Where we disagree is that I do not see the USA as a flaming sword-weilding crusader. Neither do the people you mention. You are jumping to conclusions and do not understand those people's positions, at all. You are not even close. Calling people jingoists is a "cop-out" and an excuse for failure to being able comprehend on your part. I will try again, from a different angle. A global government is going to be necessary. The current UN is not that government. It is trash. If you want a global government, which by the way, I have never argued against, you will have to junk the current UN and start over. If the above does not help you to understand, here's another attempt. To raise you consciousness level and to begin to be able to understand that which you obviously do not, I strongly suggest you do the following: 1) Obtain a college degree while completing the requirements for a military commission in the armed forces through ROTC. 2) Serve at least 3 years on active duty. 3) Discover the clarity of mind and purpose that will result from having yourself at risk while carrying serioius responsibility on your shoulders in this dangerous world. I promise that if you do the above it will give you a different perspective as to what's what.

Destroy the UN and start again? Why not simply reform the UN, it's a lot more cost-effective and you can keep the land donated by those nice and friendly Rockefellers. You should stop jumping to conclusions also, mate. I'm currently going through college and part of the Army Reserve (that's right, I'm fighting for you...be afraid). I know this whole "responsibility" thing in the military which so far has seemed to include following orders and not going by common sense...definitely no sense of clarity there. But perhaps the military life works for you; as for myself, I enjoy being a mercenary throughout college.

Hmmm...let's use Webster's shall we? Jingoist: an extreme bellicose nationalist (for those of you playing at home, Bellicose: warlike in manner or temperament) Hmmm...now who would I characterize as warlike in their temperament about the world as a whole? Someone who is so heavy into nationalism that they fail to see the world around them? Someone who thinks it's a good thing when US Senators are BRAGGING about not having a passport (because we can learn nothing from the outside world)? O'reilly, Hannity, Bush, Coltier, and all those fun members of the Christian Right, but, make no mistake, those are not the only ones. There is a vast amount of American jingoism, but I do admit that there is a strong amount of jingoism in other countries as well. Peace can only come if we see ourselves as a global culture rather than a flaming sword-weilding crusader.