*excellent question. This is something i am always searching out, as i used to be ardently opposed to the US's meddlesome behavior. One thing i have found, with near ubiquity in refugee and ex-patriot communities, is the US gives a physical, intellectual, and emotional space to the beleaguered and suppressed. Another contribution is our over-active dissent factor; many Americans disagree with America, and for the most part this is not only accepted, it is respected. These are somewhat ethereal, though.

The US Navy is a power unlike any the world has ever seen. The capability to move gross tonnage as well as incredible skill into disaster zones is unparalleled. It is completely a product of the very fear mongering the author of the article speaks of.

The space program is a titan, historically. It may be the US's single largest contribution to history. It is the wellspring of all of the greatest innovations of the late 20th century.

Europe's universal health care is completely contigent upon not having to field the requisite military for a nation/region of its size and prosperity. The US military maintaining a stable and strong presence in mainland Europe gave governments and citizens the space, physically and intellectually, to evolve their positions on human rights, healthcare,citizenship, and education.

Please understand, in no way do i feel the US is soley responsible for these things. Indeed, anything of value is by definition collaborative.

Also understand, the US is far from perfect. But their are a number of stupidities and conflagrations i would like to address.

>the US is racist as opposed to the World
This is complete melarky. The US is by fare the most advanced nation on the planet in terms of dealing with the integration of races and cultures. We have the most diverse governmental representation of disparate cultures and races. We elected a person of african descent ~40 years after the Supreme Court forced education integration.

>The US are warmongers
The US are pigeon hawks. There are undeniably warmongers among us, and unfortunately many of them do have positions of power, but as a society we are actually quite weak in terms of resolve. The war on terror has claimed so few American lives that were it in actual war our gross total deaths would be statistically insignificant.

The original question is a great one, and it is one i will keep asking myself and others.

As to the consequences, for the US? Not much. It would free up a lot of resources. But for the world, specifically africa, it would be devastating. Would China spend billions and send thousands to combat AIDS, Malaria, and Ebola? Would Russia maintain an active military presence with almost 0 potential of territorial or economic gain? It is so easy to criticize the person in front, but it is usually quite challenging to keep up, much less surpass them.

For my part, i would love to see India take the US's place in the world, but i believe there would be a struggle on the level of WWII between India and China before that would happen.

This meanders and it may be all horseshit, but i must reiterate how important this question is to me.

http://kiriakakis.net/comics/mused/a-day-at-the-park