99 years ago, on April 6,1917, the United States Congress declared war on Germany, and America entered “The Great War”, World War I.
Woodrow Wilson, by asking for a war declaration on April 2, took a fateful step that put America on the world stage, and committed us to sending American troops overseas.
It began a century in which America would be engaged in seven wars, and face the headaches and responsibilities of world leadership.
Now, we are hearing candidates, including Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, who wish for us to retreat from that commitment to world affairs, as there is total disillusionment with our foreign policy under both Democrats and Republicans.
The world is a dangerous place, and trying to figure out what is best for America’s future in a world of nuclear weapons being spread, and of terrorism a threat all over the globe , is daunting!
We tried a return to isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s, and it was an utter failure and a disaster.
But at the same time, we were drawn into wars that could not be won, including Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
So we are in a quandary, with no easy or simple solution as to what our future relationship with the world should be!