Changes

Reagan wanted a defense against missile attacks.  He thought this would bring us to a new level of freedom and security.  Critics immediately attacked his theory as impossible, wasteful, and destabilizing.  Enormous debate and controversy followed, and many were vicious in their criticism of Reagan over this.  Your teacher recalls attending a presentation by a prestigious scientist from IBM who described Reagan's plan as impossible and destabilizing.  But questions after his talk were cut off prematurely so he could avoid addressing obvious logical flaws in his own presentation, such as why was the Soviet Union so opposed to our developing a missile defense program if it were impossible to build??

Reagan wanted a defense against missile attacks.  He thought this would bring us to a new level of freedom and security.  Critics immediately attacked his theory as impossible, wasteful, and destabilizing.  Enormous debate and controversy followed, and many were vicious in their criticism of Reagan over this.  Your teacher recalls attending a presentation by a prestigious scientist from IBM who described Reagan's plan as impossible and destabilizing.  But questions after his talk were cut off prematurely so he could avoid addressing obvious logical flaws in his own presentation, such as why was the Soviet Union so opposed to our developing a missile defense program if it were impossible to build??

Also in 1983, communists backed by Cuba invaded Grenada, where there were over one hundred American medical students.  Reagan immediately sent in our troops and saved the students, bringing them back to the United States safely.  Students were seen on television kissing the American soil as soon as they got off their planes.

Also, in 1983, communists backed by Cuba invaded Grenada, where there were over one hundred American medical students.  Reagan immediately sent in our troops and saved the students, bringing them back to the United States safely.  Students were seen on television kissing the American soil as soon as they got off their planes.

In 1984, Reagan stood for reelection against Walter Mondale, the former Vice President under Jimmy Carter.  Mondale promised to raise taxes.  In the first of two debates, Reagan's mind had been stuffed with facts by his advisers preparing him, and Reagan did poorly.  Mondale pulled nearly even in the polls.  For the second and final debate, conservatives demanded that his advisers "let Reagan be Reagan."  Free to be himself, Reagan thoroughly destroyed Mondale in the second debate and even showed a great deal of class in politely accepting the moderator's cutting his closing short (due to time constraints).  Reagan then won one of the biggest landslide victories in U.S. history.

In 1984, Reagan stood for reelection against Walter Mondale, the former Vice President under Jimmy Carter.  Mondale promised to raise taxes.  In the first of two debates, Reagan's mind had been stuffed with facts by his advisers preparing him, and Reagan did poorly.  Mondale pulled nearly even in the polls.  For the second and final debate, conservatives demanded that his advisers "let Reagan be Reagan."  Free to be himself, Reagan thoroughly destroyed Mondale in the second debate and even showed a great deal of class in politely accepting the moderator's cutting his closing short (due to time constraints).  Reagan then won one of the biggest landslide victories in U.S. history.

In 1985, Reagan began authorizing the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its work to free some American hostages kidnapped and held captive in the Middle East.  Two years later this would turn into the "Iran-Contra" scandal, as the proceeds of those sales were intended to be sent to anti-communist freedom fighters in Nicaragua (the "Contras").  Congress, which was controlled by Democrats, had passed a law prohibiting funding of the Contras, and saw this as a violation of that law.  Reagan was never charged with any crime, however.  This became known as the "arms for hostages" deal.

In 1985, Reagan began authorizing the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its work to free some American hostages kidnapped and held captive in the Middle East.  Two years later this would turn into the "Iran-Contra" scandal, as the proceeds of those sales were intended to be sent to anti-communist freedom fighters in Nicaragua (the "Contras").  Congress, which was controlled by Democrats, had passed a law prohibiting funding of the Contras, and saw this as a violation of that law.  Reagan was never charged with any crime, however.  This became known as the "arms for hostages" deal.

In 1986, Reagan cut taxes much further.  He also met with Gorbachev (the leader of the Soviet Union) in Reykjavik, Iceland to negotiate an arms reduction deal.  Gorbachev was willing to give Reagan almost anything he wanted in return for just one demand:  abandon the Star Wars (SDI) program.  Reagan stuck to his conservative principles and refused, despite enormous media and world pressure to give in.  Reagan left Iceland with the media criticizing and ridiculing him for not reaching a deal.  It was obvious that Reagan was not trying merely to be popular; rather, he was trying to do what was best for America.

In 1986, Reagan cut taxes much further.  He also met with Gorbachev (the leader of the Soviet Union) in Reykjavik, Iceland to negotiate an arms reduction deal.  Gorbachev was willing to give Reagan almost anything he wanted in return for just one demand:  abandon the Star Wars (SDI) program.  Reagan stuck to his conservative principles and refused, despite enormous media and world pressure to give in.  Reagan left Iceland with the media criticizing and ridiculing him for not reaching a deal.  It was obvious that Reagan was not trying merely to be popular; rather, he was trying to do what was best for the United States.

In 1987, Reagan insisted on visiting the Berlin Wall, despite obvious security risks of being within range of communist East German sharpshooters.  In preparing for his speech there, Reagan wrote into his draft remarks this demand: '''''"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"'''''  His advisors removed this phrase from the speech as being unrealistic, silly and confrontational.  As the drafts of the speech went back and forth between Reagan and his advisors, Reagan kept inserting the phrase and his advisors kept removing it.  But Reagan included the phrase in his spoken words, the world heard it, and within a few years (1989) the wall was miraculously torn down.  Reagan is credited with ending communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, though it still remains in China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba and Venezuela.

In 1987, Reagan insisted on visiting the Berlin Wall, despite obvious security risks of being within range of communist East German sharpshooters.  In preparing for his speech there, Reagan wrote into his draft remarks this demand: '''''"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"'''''  His advisors removed this phrase from the speech as being unrealistic, silly and confrontational.  As the drafts of the speech went back and forth between Reagan and his advisors, Reagan kept inserting the phrase and his advisors kept removing it.  But Reagan included the phrase in his spoken words, the world heard it, and within a few years (1989) the wall was miraculously torn down.  Reagan is credited with ending communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, though it still remains in China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba and Venezuela.

In 1990, Saddam Hussein thought that America would do nothing when he invaded and easily conquered nearby Kuwait, where there are lucrative oil fields.  President George H.W. Bush, alarmed by the consequences of Saddam Hussein controlling so much oil and by the injustice of the invasion, struck back with American troops.  We quickly defeated (and destroyed) Hussein's army and drove the few survivors back to Baghdad.  American casualties were extremely low, and President Bush was a hero.  This combat was code-named Operation Desert Storm.  The Operation never intended to overthrow or capture Saddam Hussein himself, but President George H.W. Bush was later criticized for not "finishing the job," and some say that his son (the future President George W. Bush) wanted to take care of that.

In 1990, Saddam Hussein thought that America would do nothing when he invaded and easily conquered nearby Kuwait, where there are lucrative oil fields.  President George H.W. Bush, alarmed by the consequences of Saddam Hussein controlling so much oil and by the injustice of the invasion, struck back with American troops.  We quickly defeated (and destroyed) Hussein's army and drove the few survivors back to Baghdad.  American casualties were extremely low, and President Bush was a hero.  This combat was code-named Operation Desert Storm.  The Operation never intended to overthrow or capture Saddam Hussein himself, but President George H.W. Bush was later criticized for not "finishing the job," and some say that his son (the future President George W. Bush) wanted to take care of that.

The high point in the war came when Saddam Hussein began launching missiles at the troops, missiles thought to contain chemical warheads that could cause horrific death.  But the American troops secretly had Patriot missiles, the design of which was based on President Reagan's "Star Wars" program, and these American missiles intercepted and shot down the Iraqi missiles in mid-flight.  It was spectacular to watch a fast-moving enemy missile be tracked and then explode in mid-air due to a collision by another fast-moving defense missile.  This was something that liberals, including many scientists, claimed was impossible to do.  Hussein launched missile after missile, while an American soldier sitting in front a computer screen in a trailer fired Patriot missiles to shoot down the enemy missiles.

The high point in the war came when Saddam Hussein began launching missiles at the troops, missiles thought to contain chemical warheads that could cause horrific death.  But the American troops secretly had Patriot missiles, the design of which was based on President Reagan's "Star Wars" program, and these American missiles intercepted and shot down the Iraqi missiles in mid-flight.  It was spectacular to watch a fast-moving enemy missile be tracked and then explode in mid-air due to a collision by another fast-moving defense missile.  This was something that liberals, including many scientists, claimed was impossible to do.  Hussein launched missile after missile, while an American soldier sitting in front a computer screen in a trailer fired Patriot missiles to shoot down the enemy missiles that he could watch on his screen.

Angry and frustrated, Hussein then fired his missiles at civilian populations in Israel.  It had been developing its own missile defense program, but it was not ready for this.  Quickly the American troops rushed their missile defense to Israel, which enabled it to protect its population also.

Angry and frustrated, Hussein then fired his missiles at civilian populations in Israel.  It had been developing its own missile defense program, but it was not ready for this.  Quickly the American troops rushed their missile defense to Israel, which enabled it to protect its population also.

Clarence Thomas was and is a [[conservative]] opponent of affirmative action, which is giving preferences to people based on race.  He was and is considered to be an opponent of abortion also, and a conservative on most other issues.  [[Liberals]] seem to grow angrier when confronted with a conservative African American, like Clarence Thomas, or a conservative woman.  They did everything they could to prevent confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.

Clarence Thomas was and is a [[conservative]] opponent of affirmative action, which is giving preferences to people based on race.  He was and is considered to be an opponent of abortion also, and a conservative on most other issues.  [[Liberals]] seem to grow angrier when confronted with a conservative African American, like Clarence Thomas, or a conservative woman.  They did everything they could to prevent confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.

The "smear" campaign against Thomas was one of the worst in American history, and Thomas himself appeared on national television to bitterly describe it as a "high-tech lynching."  In a flagrant violation of the rules of the Senate, the staff of a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee leaked a confidential FBI background report to the National Public Radio (NPR), which contained a vicious personal allegation about Thomas's past.  Nothing was proven and there was much reason to disbelieve the allegation.  But the plan was to intimidate Thomas into withdrawing, or turn the public against him, or give senators enough of a reason to vote against him.  The liberals even scheduled a vote on the nomination almost immediately after the airing of the allegation, which could only be postponed by unanimous consent under Senate rules, in order to force senators to vote before the allegation could be disproved.  But the vote was postponed, hearings were held, and only one senator moved from being for Thomas to being against him: the former Ku Klux Klan Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.  Thomas was confirmed by a vote of 52-48, the narrowest margin in history for a Supreme Court Justice.

The "smear" campaign against Thomas was one of the worst in American history, and Thomas himself appeared on national television to bitterly describe it as a "high-tech lynching."  In a flagrant violation of the rules of the Senate, the staff of a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee leaked a confidential FBI background report to the National Public Radio (NPR), which contained a vicious personal allegation about Thomas's past.  Nothing was proven and there was much reason to disbelieve the allegation.  But the plan was to intimidate Thomas into withdrawing, or turn the public against him, or give senators enough of a reason to vote against him.  The liberals even scheduled a vote on the nomination almost immediately after the airing of the allegation, which could only be postponed by unanimous consent under Senate rules, in an attempt to force senators to vote before the allegation could be disproved.  But the vote was postponed, hearings were held, and only one senator moved from being for Thomas to being against him: the former Ku Klux Klan Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.  Thomas was confirmed by a vote of 52-48, the narrowest margin in history for a Supreme Court Justice.

Your teacher was in D.C. at the time and had personally met Clarence Thomas a year earlier.  Your teacher, the entire city of D.C., and even the entire nation, was riveted by this drama.  Since 1991 Thomas has been part of a conservative block on the Supreme Court that has grown to a total of 4 or 5 Justices out of a total of 9, sometimes enough for a majority and sometimes just shy by one vote.

Your teacher was in D.C. at the time and had personally met Clarence Thomas a year earlier.  Your teacher, the entire city of D.C., and even the entire nation, was riveted by this drama.  Since 1991 Thomas has been part of a conservative bloc on the Supreme Court that has grown to a total of 4 or 5 Justices out of a total of 9, sometimes enough for a majority and sometimes just shy by one vote.

== Bill Clinton ==

== Bill Clinton ==

By 1992, President George H.W. Bush's popularity was declining quickly, primarily due to a downturn in the economy but also due to shortcomings in his leadership.  Both liberals and conservatives disliked his policies, and he never connected with voters.  He had signed burdensome legislation into law, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which required small businesses to comply with costly new regulations for citizens having physical or mental disabilities.  Buildings were required to install elevators, for example, and create other accommodations like setting aside many parking spaces for people with disabilities.  Lawyers could enter retail stores, spot something not in compliance with the new regulations, and file expensive lawsuits against the businesses with demands for payment of the lawyers' own attorneys' fees.  While everyone wanted to do more for the disabled, this federal legislation created countless lawsuits and expenses.  The U.S. Supreme Court used the ADA to order the Professional Golf Association (PGA) to drop its ban on golf carts at events so that a golfer who claimed he had a rare circulatory problem could compete while using a golf cart!<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5513/is_/ai_n21474458</ref>

By 1992, President George H.W. Bush's popularity was declining quickly, primarily due to a downturn in the economy but also due to shortcomings in his leadership.  Both liberals and conservatives disliked his policies, and he never connected well with voters.  He had signed burdensome legislation into law, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which required small businesses to comply with costly new regulations for citizens having physical or mental disabilities.  Buildings were required to install elevators, for example, and create other accommodations like setting aside many parking spaces for people with disabilities.  Lawyers could enter retail stores, spot something not in compliance with the new regulations, and file expensive lawsuits against the businesses with demands for payment of the lawyers' own attorneys' fees.  While everyone wanted to do more for the disabled, this federal legislation created countless lawsuits and expenses.  The U.S. Supreme Court used the ADA to order the Professional Golf Association (PGA) to drop its ban on golf carts at events so that a golfer who claimed he had a rare circulatory problem could compete while using a golf cart!<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5513/is_/ai_n21474458</ref>

Conservatives supported a candidate (Pat Buchanan) to challenge Bush for the Republican nomination; Bush won the nomination but was crushed in a three-way contest in the fall.  Democrat Bill Clinton won 43% of the vote, Bush won 37%, and independent third-party candidate Ross Perot (a wealthy businessman from Texas concerned about the budget deficit) won 19%.

Conservatives supported a candidate (Pat Buchanan) to challenge Bush for the Republican nomination; Bush won the nomination but was crushed in a three-way contest in the fall.  Democrat Bill Clinton won 43% of the vote, Bush won 37%, and independent third-party candidate Ross Perot (a wealthy businessman from Texas concerned about the budget deficit) won 19%.

Bill Clinton became a controversial president who served for eight years but never won even 50% of the vote.  In 1993, his wife (the "First Lady") Hillary Clinton led a massive committee-based effort for the government to take over the health care system, which is about 1/7th of the nation's economy.  Conservative doctors, pro-lifers and the insurance industry helped defeat Hillary's complex plan in Congress.  Also in 1993, terrorists linked to radical Muslims set off a truck bomb under the World Trade Center in an attempt to knock down the two massive towers.  Fortunately, the plan failed, and only six were killed.

Bill Clinton became a controversial president who served for eight years but never won even 50% of the vote.  In 1993, his wife (the "First Lady") Hillary Clinton led a massive effort for the government to take over the health care system, which is about 1/7th of the nation's economy.  Conservative doctors, pro-lifers and the insurance industry helped defeat Hillary's complex plan in Congress.  Also in 1993, terrorists linked to radical Muslims set off a truck bomb under the World Trade Center in an attempt to knock down the two massive towers.  Fortunately, the plan failed, and only six were killed.

Shortly after he was inaugurated, Clinton sought removal of the longstanding ban on homosexuals in the military.  But the Democrats in Congress refused to lift the ban, and instead a policy of "don't ask, don't tell" was implemented.  Gays would not be expelled from the military unless they actively promoted ("tell") their lifestyle.  That policy remained in force until late 2010, when Democrats repealed it.

Shortly after he was inaugurated, Clinton sought removal of the longstanding ban on homosexuals in the military.  But Congress refused to lift the ban, and instead a policy of "don't ask, don't tell" was implemented.  Gays would not be expelled from the military unless they actively promoted ("tell") their lifestyle.  That policy remained in force until late 2010, when Democrats repealed it.

Enjoying big Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, Clinton aggressively pushed a liberal agenda.  He raised taxes on both individuals and businesses.  In 1994, he signed a federal gun control bill into law known as the "Brady Bill," which imposed a national five-day waiting period for handgun purchasers and required a criminal background check.  He signed into law the "Violence Against Women Act," which authorized women to sue institutions like colleges in federal court over alleged incidents that were never charged or proven as crimes (this provision was later held unconstitutional), and authorized the spending of billions of dollars in taxpayer money to encourage women to charge men with crimes.  He signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993, which created a "free-trade zone" encompassing Mexico, Canada, and the United States and submitted the United States to control by an international tribunal to decide disputes in trade.  This resulted in a big increase in importation of illegal drugs (like cocaine and marijuana) from Mexico, and was later used to order the United States to allow never-inspected trucks to enter from Mexico to flood the American highways.  NAFTA was unable to obtain the 2/3rd vote required in the Senate to be ratified as a treaty, and instead it was (perhaps improperly) passed as an ordinary federal law with mere majority votes in Congress.

Enjoying big Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, Clinton aggressively pushed a liberal agenda.  He raised taxes on both individuals and businesses.  In 1994, he signed a federal gun control bill into law known as the "Brady Bill," which imposed a national five-day waiting period for handgun purchasers and required a criminal background check.  He signed into law the "Violence Against Women Act," which authorized women to sue institutions like colleges in federal court over alleged incidents that were never charged or proven as crimes (this provision was later held unconstitutional), and authorized the spending of billions of dollars in taxpayer money to encourage women to charge men with crimes.  He signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993, which created a "free-trade zone" encompassing Mexico, Canada, and the United States and submitted the United States to control by an international tribunal to decide disputes in trade.  This resulted in a big increase in importation of illegal drugs (like cocaine and marijuana) from Mexico, and was later used to order the United States to allow never-inspected trucks to enter from Mexico to flood the American highways.  NAFTA was unable to obtain the 2/3rd vote required in the Senate to be ratified as a treaty, and instead it was (perhaps improperly) passed as an ordinary federal law with mere majority votes in Congress.

== A Very Brief History of America ==

== A Very Brief History of America ==

Alexis de Tocqueville was an aristocratic Frenchman who was homeschooled.  He came to America when he was 25 years old, in 1831, and wrote a two-volume study of what he saw, entitled ''Democracy in America''.  His insightful observations continue to be cited to this day.  His two fundamental conclusions were that in America (1) the majority is considered to be "right" and (2) every individual is the "only lawful judge" of his own interests.  Those two principles conflict with each other to this day.  Which matters most in America, the majority or the individual?  De Tocqueville also had other insights:  our high level of faith in America, our reliance on family, and our way of life on the frontier.  At the time the United States was the world's greatest democratic form of government.  We still are.

Alexis de Tocqueville was an aristocratic Frenchman who was homeschooled.  He came to America when he was 25 years old, in 1831, and wrote a two-volume study of what he saw, entitled ''Democracy in America''.  His insightful observations continue to be quoted to this day.  His two fundamental conclusions were that in America (1) the majority is considered to be "right" and (2) every individual is the "only lawful judge" of his own interests.  Those two principles conflict with each other.  Which matters most in America, the majority or the individual?  De Tocqueville also had other insights:  our high level of faith in America, our reliance on family and the enormous respect given to women, and our way of life on the frontier.  At the time the United States was the world's greatest form of government.  We still are.

Understand that history is a series of struggles.  For example, consider the Federalist Party versus the Democratic-Republican Party.  What happened to the Federalist Party?  It collapsed near the end of the War of 1812, because the Federalist Party was pro-British.  What happened to the Democratic-Republican Party?  It collapsed because it had no reason to exist after the Federalist Party collapsed!

But every day there are political struggles in America.  For example, consider the Federalist Party versus the Democratic-Republican Party.  What happened to the Federalist Party?  It collapsed near the end of the War of 1812, because the Federalist Party was pro-British.  What happened to the Democratic-Republican Party?  It collapsed because it had no reason to exist after the Federalist Party collapsed!

Appreciate the economic cycles of our nation.  Every 20 or so years there is an economic crisis:  1773.  1797.  1819.  1837.  1857.  1873.  1893.  1907.  1929-1941.  1979.  1991.  2008.  How would you know those years without memorizing them?  Note that the crisis occurs about every 20 years, and usually the president at the time does not win reelection.

Appreciate the economic cycles of our nation.  Every 20 or so years there is an economic crisis:  1773.  1797.  1819.  1837.  1857.  1873.  1893.  1907.  1929-1941.  1979.  1991.  2008.  How would you know those years without memorizing them?  Note that the crisis occurs about every 20 years, and usually the president at the time does not win reelection.

<br>2008: 300M

<br>2008: 300M

Transportation improved over time.  In 1817, how long do you think it took for freight to travel from Cincinnati to New York City?  A total of 52 days was required.  How would you have traveled it?  Take the Ohio River to Pittsburgh, then by wagon to Philadelphia, and then by wagon and river to New York City.  Now, how long would the same trip take in 1845?  Only 28 days: by canal across Ohio to Lake Erie, then the Erie Canal to the Hudson River, which flows to New York City.

Transportation improved over time.  In 1817, how long do you think it took for freight to travel from Cincinnati to New York City?  A total of 52 days was required.  How would you have traveled it?  First by boat on the Ohio River to Pittsburgh, then by horse-led wagon to Philadelphia, and then by horse-led wagon and river to New York City.  Now, how long would the same trip take in 1845?  Only 28 days: by boat in the canal across Ohio to Lake Erie, then the Erie Canal to the Hudson River, which flows to New York City.

Then how long would that shipment take in 1860?  Only 6-8 days, using the Erie Railroad and connecting lines.  How long would it take today?  Only one day by truck over federal highways, like Route 80; perhaps only two hours by airplane.

How long would that travel take in 1860?  Only 6-8 days, using the Erie Railroad and connecting lines.  How long would it take today?  Only one day by truck over federal highways, like Route 80; perhaps only two hours by airplane.

But the addition of new states to the United States does not tell the whole story of the American territory.  What else needs to be told?  Imperialism is a controversial part of our history from late 1893 (when we installed an American to run Hawaii) through 1914 (when we completed the Panama Canal).  The presidents most responsible for imperialism were William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt (who also established the national park system and engaged in "trust-busting" actions to break up large business monopolies).   

What else needs to be told in a brief history of the United States?  Imperialism is a controversial part of our history from late 1893 (when we installed an American to run Hawaii) through 1914 (when we completed the Panama Canal).  The presidents most responsible for imperialism were William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt (who also established the national park system and engaged in "trust-busting" actions to break up large business monopolies).   

Our imperialism included our invasion of Cuba to liberate it (while we retained control of Guantanamo Bay), and our acquisition of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.  The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris in a close vote at the end of the war to allow this.  Arguments for imperialism in the Philippines include these:  the U.S. has a civilizing mission and the Philippines gave us important strategic advantage.  If we withdrew, foreign powers would acquire it.  Arguments against imperialism were these: Democrats and populists said it was contrary to American principles of self-government, the Monroe Doctrine, and traditional U.S. "isolationism", which is a pejorative (overly negative) term for the often-correct view that we should focus on America first.

Our imperialism included our invasion of Cuba to liberate it (while we retained control of Guantanamo Bay), and our acquisition of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.  The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris in a close vote at the end of the war to allow this.  Arguments for imperialism in the Philippines include these:  the U.S. has a civilizing mission and the Philippines gave us important strategic advantage.  If we withdrew, foreign powers would acquire it.  Arguments against imperialism were these: Democrats and populists said it was contrary to American principles of self-government, the Monroe Doctrine, and traditional U.S. "isolationism", which is a pejorative (overly negative) term for the often-correct view that we should focus on America first.