>>>>>You don't agree there is an American empire then?
>>>>
>>>>Correct.
>>>
>>>So why do you think there are US armed forces distributed all over the world. I think its a projection of power and while altruism may be a factor its not the main one.
>>
>>And that is exactly my point - projection of power for non-altruistic reasons is not the definition of empire or imperialism.
>
>Isn't that semantics. By using economic and military power to control or influence other countries you have implicitly become imperial. But how would you define what the USA is today.

Protecting everyone's backsides???? :o)