The inevitability of prolonged war looms on the American horizon, provoked by the White House and its determination to “make America great again” and exert its power over the world.
However, it’s not the first time that this nation has sought to dominate other people, races, indigenous populations, or lands because of the belief in Manifest Destiny, which has guided decisions on U.S. territorial expansion and foreign influence since the 19th century, if not earlier.
But how are Americans responding? In many instances, the voice of reason has come not from the political vanguard, but from creatives – songwriters, poets, and artists.
Such was the case in 1969, when a Motown duo of songwriters penned a counterculture-era soul song titled “War.”
First recorded by The Temptations and re-recorded with Edwin Starr as the vocalist in 1970, “War,” with its anti-Vietnam themed message, became one of the most popular protest songs ever recorded, but not without those who refuted its words. In fact, it counts as one of 161 songs on the no-play list issued by Clear Channel following the events of September 11, 2001.
Sadly, some things never change.
And so here we are, led, in part, by white, male, Christian Nationalists who proclaim to be destined by God to expand, “civilize,” and settle not only the continent but the world. As an example, just days ago, Congress failed to pass the War Powers Resolution, thereby clearing the way for the Trump administration to continue its current military actions against Iran without legislative constraints.
Perhaps many Americans are not surprised but we should be, if for no other reason than the so-called explanation for why America has joined forces with Israel in this war.
For now, shifting explanations provide no clear analysis for why the U.S. attacked when it did, and what the specific goals are for spending billions of dollars on a foreign war, as Americans, back home, struggle to put food on their tables.
Could America be on the brink of another Vietnam? Perhaps, but only if members of Congress fail to do their job and represent their constituencies. Only if our nation has given up on a federal government divided by three co-equal branches as established by the Constitution, that maintains a separation of powers and will ensure that no single entity becomes too powerful.
In the meantime, many activists and Democratic leaders are pushing back against the president’s decision to enter into war and warning of the widespread damage such conflict can cause for the world and Americans alike.
The famous chorus sung by Starr, posits that conflict resulted not in glory but destruction: “War, huh, yeah. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”