Democracy Dominoes

As I understand the neoconservative "plan" for the middle east it goes something like this:

1. Attack Iraq and overthrow Saddam.
2. Install a client state.
3. Install permanent US military bases.
4. Democracy will spread throughout the Middle East on the strength of Iraq's commitment to democracy.
5. Accept candies, flowers, and the grateful accolades of an adoring nation.

This idea is essentially the tired old "domino theory" we've heard before. That idea failed spectacularly to pan out in Vietnam, and seems to be turning nations hostile towards us in South America.

Freedom is what makes democracy spread, and fear is what makes democracy retreat. When democracies start fearing their very freedoms and start devoting their talents to curtailing them a type of destabalizing paranoia sets in and destroys what no army ever could.

This is happening before my very eyes in America today. Every time the president fans the fears of Americans in order to steal more power for himself, his power becomes exponentially less useful since what he has given up is more valuable than what he has gained.

Caesar said, "Let them hate as long as they fear", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.

Caesar was murdered by close associates and Rome fell.

Napoleon said, "God favors the army with the strongest artillery", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.

Napoleon met his Waterloo and France isn't today what it once was.

A leader worthy of the title should strive to create a Just society that is not ruled by fear, but instead one ruled by reason and a desire to do good. Leaders that have done this have enjoyed the type of power (that is trust) that Bushie-types strive for unwisely.