Politics aside, the (United States) still trying to be the disciplinarian to the world. Why?  Why do we still have our Servicemen and Servicewomen stationed around the globe? Why do we stay in Afghanistan and Pakistan? These are valid questions and are in need of clear and concise answers. We have recently read about the billions of dollars that flowed out of Afghanistan into the pockets of the politicians who had foreign bank accounts. Iraq was a quagmire of corruption, flowing, from the top all the way down to the lowest politician. Companies paid to do work did not. Politicians running government agencies looted the treasury. We all know that American funds always bring corruption. Foreign leaders and the political class salivate when they see U.S. Greenbacks.

To put a stop to this, the solution is easy. Pull our troops out of all countries. Afghanistan and Pakistan especially, they need to stand on their own two feet. If they cannot-we have been there for eight years, how many more years will we be there?- it is not our obligation to continue to provide support if corruption and the ability to defend themselves goes on infinitum. Infighting between tribes in Pakistan has been going on since the Silk Road http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road became the main travel route through Asia through India onto Europe. The Khyber Passhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khyber_Pass which links Afghanistan and Pakistan is the most bribed toll route in the world. You need to pay tribute to the warlords to pass through the pass. With all of the corruption, how can we as Americans be certain of success in this part of the world. In retrospect we did Russia a favor in freeing them from Afghanistan.

To take a bet on when the fighting will stop is a bookmakers dream. They will never have to pay off and when they do, the better will have passed in the meantime. So when politicians tell you we have a committment, we say for how long?  China and Russia stand there and laugh in our face. Wake Up America, your future is at stake.

Culture will be the next topic. Watch for it.  Thank you.