U.S. must be beacon of justice, not world's bully

To the editor:

Bush's war is about dominating the oil fields of the Middle East to ensure stable prices and high profit. It's the latest move in a historical chess game involving Cold War politics, puppet governments, backlash revolutions, fanatical terrorists and now an uppity despot of our own creation who must be removed.

But can we manage the backlash against our ongoing meddling in the Middle East? The war will produce deep resentment, new terrorists and attacks on our occupation forces. Surely the administration sees this, but these oilmen apparently believe the economic gains are worth the risk. They have decided this without public debate. At home, this war will probably mean more compromises to deal with the likely increase in terrorism. A serious erosion of the Constitution, already under way, is aimed at Americans of Middle Eastern descent but may easily expand to anyone who disagrees with those in power.

Our safety and the preservation of our democracy require a change in foreign policy to the opposite of what is planned. Currently, 5 percent of the world's population -- we in the United States -- consumes 30 percent to 40 percent of the world's resources. We do this through political, economic and sometimes military domination. Predictably, many around the world, particularly the poor, deeply resent our government. We must lessen the hate these people feel toward the United States. If safety and freedom are our goals, then the lone superpower must become a real beacon and example of justice rather than an arrogant, self-centered bully.

ROBERT POLACK JR.

Cape Girardeau