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Americans never seem to "get it" Where world current events are concerned .As an outsider looking in ,the most likely reason behand this "Generousity " will be the fact that many South American Countries are now making close alliances with Iran .how come Americans are always the last ones to know what is happening on their own doorstep .

How odd that Hugo Chavez claims the CIA tried to oust him by using media (sponsored by CNN no less!) and staging a coup in 2002, replacing him with a US backed puppet government. The people of Venezuela overthrew the puppet government and Chavez was returned to power.

Why would the US do this you ask? For oil, what else? Venezuela is one of the most oil rich regions in the world.
The US wanted to control a cheap oil source and is/was willing to destroy a country to do it.

Iraq is in civil war for the same reason, big business interests who now own America. Whatever happened to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, anyway?

And to this day our "national media" portrays Chavez as a dictator. Why?Because he refused to give one of the CIA based media companies designed to put the people against him a new license.

All of this activism in Venezuala has made them ally themselves with other South American countries against the US, including Cuba. THAT is what McCain is speaking about.

Why don't we trade with South America and stay out of thier business? Why don't you mention why things have gotten this bad McCain?

And lets not even get started on NAFTA and other so called "free trade" agreements that are not benefiting the US. Who depends on who? What is our trade defecit? We owe China how much? While they BLOCK our imports? Is that really globalization? Not when ot only goes "one way".

America imports 85% of its clothing. So if we had to stand on our own, only 15% of us would be wearing any clothes right now. Why? Because they outsourced all the manufacturing jobs to places where it is cheaper so big execs can get millions more in bonuses. We're right back to that again.

The "rising tide lifts all boats" and "globalization is good for all the world" stuffr is a bunch of crap when you're the one living in the US with the higher standard of living and watching it decline due to the two fold attack of US companies outsourcing all our jobs to cheap markets overseas while at the same time allowing millions of people to freely cross our borders virtuallly unchallenged because they will work cheaper for big companies than their American counterparts.

If I were a guy from Mexico who sneaked illegally into the US and took a job from an American under the table, rather than live in my dirty hole of a country – sure, I'd think it was great! But when I'm an underemployed American being told by the president that I need to go back to school and get a master's degree to get an entry level job while I watch all the jobs go overseas and see the mass flood of cheap workers coming over the border so big executives at mega corps can make millions in bonuses from all the money they saved by not hiring us expensive Americans – well I'm sorry, but I don't think the current system is so great. Globalization is a lie, and you guys bought it big time. Its more "rob from the poor, give to the rich" nonsense.

When every American who needs a job has one, then it is the time to start looking out for the rest of the world.

...and anti McCainism is increasing here in the United States...

Bravo Tom, Mission Viejo... you hit the nail on the head. The issues in Mexico and Columbia stem mostly from European conquests and treatment of indigious population. These idiots who believe killing some Leftist or Socialist leader and installing a puppet regime is the answer. Look at Chile, Panama, Mexico, Columbia, Chile and Peru where U.S. intervention failed miserably. Good conversation.

John McCain is right. We need to concentrate more on the Latin American countries. We have several in South America that needs our support in technology to help move them toward a more democratic rule. One area that needs to be watched closely is the tensions between Chile and Peru over fishing rights in the Pacific. We need a more even approach in this side instead of always supporting the country with the most money. Chile is benefiting from the sale of fighter plans from US companies while Peru with major democratic reforms is left to stand on its own. It is in the regions and our best interest that Peru succeeds

A rising tide lifts all boats.

For all those fed up with illegal immigration, the number one was to stem the flow is to get Mexico to make economic reforms. If there were a future for poor Mexicans then they'd be less likely to cross the border in search of a better life. It is in our interest to see Mexico and Central America develop stronger economies.

Mexico ought to be a "First World" country, not in the second tier. With all its natural resources and geogrpahic location it should rival the United States. But the corruption and racism in Mexico stifles a lot of progress.

The worrisome trend in South America should be a fairly high importance. Venezuela is the 3rd largest supplier of oil to the US and Chavez has nationalized most of the industry. Meaning it could be run into the ground fairly quickly. If oil prices ever drop the nation will be bankrupt fairly quickly, as well, as spending has sky rocketed on social programs.

Some commentors need to grow up a little bit with all these notions that helping other nations detracts from Americans. We live in a global economy and depend on others just as much as we depend on ourselves nowadays.

There's no reason to think we can't help Americans in the US and americans in the rest of our hemisphere (it doesn't always take money). Spending money is not always the answer anyway. Spending less money is sometimes the answer, too! Simply enacting laws prohibiting discrimination could be a huge boost in Mexico.

Lets just outsource all of our work to appease the rest of the world..heck american citizens dont need to be working.

John McCain is right about Latin America. Focus more on our neighbors and not half a world away. Ron Paul is seriously over-rated and his Military careers pales in comparison to McCain's. Can you spell ROTC Ron Paul?

The American Government does not have a responsibility to Latin America. They have a responsibility to Americans. Don't be a Donkey Mr. McCain. If you want to get into office, you have to appeal to the people who have the power to put you there.

“Our security priority in this hemisphere is to ensure that terrorists, their enablers and their business partners, including narcotraffickers, have nowhere to hide,” he said.

That came out the left side of his mouth, from the right side he spoke about amnesty for the same people. He doesn't get it! I can't believe I once supported this guy!

McCain seems to want the USA, Central and South America to be on the same level. Well, the transition is underway, and with all the illegal immigration the politicians are trying to ratify, it will be accelerated even more.

Unfortunately, it is the USA declining to their level, rather than the other way around.

The USA is already essentially bankrupt, and we are overextended around the globe. We print more money, but the day is coming when we pay up.

It's time we look out for our own, rather than for everybody else.

Mr. McCain is right about a few things, though the problem is a lot more complex than he lead on, Mr. Bush's administration and most all his predecesors have always concentrated on the middle east, Israel and its oppresion of the palestinian people, because lobbyists and the US press want it that way, we have seen in horror how the Bush Administration has lifted a flag of anti-terrorism in the wrong places such as Iraq, and Afghanistan as a purely vengeful measure, meanwhile a truly dangerous situation with Chavez, Cuba and the pervasive left wing violent groups in latin America have thrived beyond measure, with Chavez's seemingly vast resourcess product of oil has been able to fuel an anti-american and indeed anti-democratic movement never before seen in our hemisphere.

The goal of the Bolivarianos is to spread throughout Latin America, the seed of resentment, poverty, health issues and widening gap between the rich and poor are so acute, that the end result of poor people's opting to follow Chavez's lead is inevitable.

As an example, we have seen how Bolivarianos politicians have been arrested and expelled from Colombia for leading marches and giving speeches inside Colombia aimed at bolstering their cause ans stirring that very sentiment in Colombia.

This is a work in progress, to infiltrate and make alliances with politicians that share Mr. Chavez's ideals in other Latin American nations, and it is as of yet unchecked, and it will succeed eventually...

Not sure what McCain is proposing. War with Cuba and Venezuela or massive amounts of money wasted in foreign intervention. What about putting our own house in order, like fixing the budget, reconstructing New Orleans, education, healthcare. But DC insider McCain just wants another foreign adventure. Here is a new idea: Lets put America first, the rest of the world a distant second.

Interesting that the only people who agree with this comment are people with Hispanic surnames. And me.
Americans are arrogant. This will be our doom.

McCain is right on target. The US foreign policy has been a total disaster toward Latin America. Just ask any panamenian why the US lost the Panama Canal.
Al Acosta

One last comment – clearly articulate the countires you have an issue with and NOT generalized. The Latin American region is the fastest growing for most industries and generalized statements like these by polititians who have probably never set foot on that continent create unjustified alarm and concern that impacts the business some US companies livelyhood! Let's take care of our own issues before we go fixing anyone elses!

By the way... Cuba is part of the Caribbean geographically!

Hey – wait a minute! Why is this being generalized to all of LATIN AMERICA when the real issues are with Venezuela and Bolivia! Don't bring Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and the rest of the US allies as anti-American!

No, it's not about opening up the border and letting people flood into the country. If that's all we wanted, then the status quo is just fine.

What McCain suggests is taking a vested interest in the affairs of our Southern neighbors. Not to be nosy, but to assist them and help their economies and standards of living improve and flourish. Ultimately, by helping our Southern neighbors become prosperous nations, we end the flow of illegal immigrants into our country, as their lives are improved with good living conditions and ample employment.

Of course, for those of you who are so small minded as to think that we should completely shut out Latin America, I assure you it is a big mistake. Chavez and his ilk have plans of forming a leftist block alliance. Currently it is in the form of economics, but given some of the connections he's making, it could easily turn into a military alliance against the US. Are you sure you want that?

McCain is correct. The strength of America has been in front of us and we have done nothing about it except slap its hand.

It is not America's responsibility to support other governments regardless of where they are – latin america, europe, middle east, etc.

We have for far too long supported every country in their natural disasters or catastrophes at a higher percentage than any other nation. Why does everyone feel it is OUR responsibility to help and not the country itself.

Yes we should be concerned with security risks due to terroristic governments but we are not the provider of International welfare – we have too much of that already in our own country.

Whoa, it must be because they hate "our freedom". Let's nuke,nuke,nuke them.

McCain is a joke, just like Guiliani and Hillary.

He would do well to comment on the rising anti-americanism in the United States.

Ditto – end of politcal career. Actually, the best approach is to just vote every incumbent out of office in 2008 and cross party lines to do so. Let's start fresh and let them know representation is not a career choice unless you actually represent the folk who elected you.

No McCain...that's not why. You don't seem to get it.

It has nothing to do with "ignoring" the region.

Please don't tell me this is your secret code that now Venezuela is a rogue state that must be invaded to prevent WMD proliferation.

They do have oil after all.

Despite his positive qualities, Ron Paul doesn't stand a chance. There are essential leadership and charisma qualities lacking. It is not enough to have the right idea, the skill to persuade others to follow you in that idea is an absolute must.

So we should what, open the borders and turn us all into North Americans? McCain's political career is ended.

We have to thank Senator Macain for this speech. I Too think that the US has most of the time turned his back on Latin America, I think is about time to rectify.

lol

That's all I have to say.

Wait, there's more:

roflmao

Okay, okay. Get ready. Africa is next. Where are the American politicians? The ones who think America is the primary concern? Only one of them. That's Ron Paul, a doctor, a Navy man, a Republican Congressman from Texas, and a true conservative American.

He's the only man who cares about our country - our neglected country. A country that failed to stop 19 hijackers from demolishing two prized landmarks. A country with a third-World quality response to a foreseen and even planned for Natural Disaster (complete failure to act in the Katrina disaster.)

That's pitiful. That's despicable! It's disgusting! How does a country such as ours go so under and unprepared?

It is inconceivable. Incompetence isn't the word enough to describe our Government's failures.

And I've had enough of them, while our politicians are off spending money and adventuring in foreign countries. That's BS, and I'm done with it. America needs to wake up. And vote for itself and for a politician who actually cares for our country and who would do right by it. Ron Paul is the only man there for our country willing to lift it up and away from those who would harm and encourage harm to it.

The other ones are crooks, liars and Globalists. If America lets itself be hoodwinked into becoming an empire, it will end as empires do. Poorly.

Restore the Republic and vote for Ron Paul.

"Because killing every conceivable enemy leaves you with bloody, bloody hands - and a terrible reputation amongst your friends" – JJ

Why can't we have one Presidential candidate worry about what's going on here at home instead of abroad? What? We already have one? Who is Ron Paul? What do you mean he's a crackpot?

About damn time someone in Washington realized that there is a serious problem in Latin America.