Saturday, December 07, 2002

U.S. versus The World

I try to focus OkiePundit on matters related to Oklahoma but it is undeniable that we are not isolated, that what happens in Bali or Buenos Aires also often affects Oklahomans. It's with this global scope in mind that I want to draw your attention to just how out of step our foreign policy is with that of most other countries. I wouldn't argue that the U.S. needs to compromise our principles or allow others to determine a foreign policy for us that is not in our best interests. But I would argue that a principle-centered foreign policy would be in our best interest and that such a standard often eludes us.

The examples below illustrate the isolationist voting of the United States on important selected issues over a two-decade period at the United Nations:

U.S. Voting Record

Ending the US embargo against Cuba 155 countries voted Yes 2 countries voted No
Abolition of land mines treaty 133 countries voted Yes Only the U.S, voted NO
UN Convention on rights of children 180 countries voted YES Only the U.S. and Somalia voted NO
Condemnation of Israel for human rights abuse 121 countries voted YES Only the US voted NO

Can so many other nations be wrong? Why do we so often find ourselves totally alone in our stance? What does this tell us?

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