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There never was an American Empire. Not in the past, not here in the present and not in the future.

I think the Phillipines and some other Islands might have something to say about that. We clearly held an empire for a period of time though it never really set with our temperment as a nation. We participated with other Europeon nations in carving an "influence zone" in China as well.

There are many forms of Empire- from the Athenian commerial empire to the classical empire of Great Britain. We are much more like the Athenians in that we rule through proxy elites backed up by our implied military threat- or even presence (150 foreign military bases.)

I don't have an "ideology"- only outlooks. I do accept the "war on terrorism". I don't think attacking Iraq was good for the war on terror in the long run.

WWI had nothing to do about "democracy" or liberty or even the security of the United States. We were bamboozeled into that war by a pro Anglo East Coast elite and President.

And I am not a libertarian by any stretch of the imigination.

If one doesn't have questions about this war by now I think it is they who are following blind loyalties and partisan ideologies.

Better check your history. The three examples you gave are poor representations of what you consider to be empire building by the US.

The Philippines was turned over to the US as a possession under the treaty of Paris in 1898, that finalized the end to the Spainish-American War. We never invaded or conquered the Filipino people. The Philippines became a Commonwealth in 1935 and following WWII, it became an independent Constitutional Republic. As with most third world nations, the Philippines has had continued unrest and corruption throughout its history. But overall, the Filipino people are ardent anti-communists and remain a good friend and ally to the US.

The Athenian Empire was known for its use of force over lesser nation states, through strict control and taxation. I don't believe that describes the US. I'd say those 150 US military outposts we have around the world, are in place through legal agreements with the existing governments and not because we desire to be extend any sort of empire over them.

While the European's had major investments in China, the US was a minor player and our so-called "zone of influence" doesn't translate into anything resembling US empire building.

>>>We were bamboozeled into that war by a pro Anglo East Coast elite and President.

That's a bogus representation of history and why the US entered WWI.

>>>If one doesn't have questions about this war by now I think it is they who are following blind loyalties and partisan ideologies.

That's pure BS! But its a free country and you can believe whatever nonsense to choose to.