America Quote by Bill Maher
““Forget bringing the troops home from Iraq. We need to get the troops home from World War II. Can anybody tell me why, in 2009, we still have more than sixty thousand troops in Germany and thirty thousand in Japan? At some point, these people are going to have to learn to rape themselves. Our soldiers have been in Germany so long they now wear shorts with black socks. You know that crazy soldier hiding in the cave on Iwo Jima who doesn’t know the war is over? That’s us. Bush and Cheney used to love to keep Americans all sphinctered-up on the notion that terrorists might follow us home. But actually, we’re the people who go to your home and then never leave. Here’s the facts: The Republic of America has more than five hundred thousand military personnel deployed on more than seven hundred bases, with troops in one hundred fifty countries—we’re like McDonald’s with tanks—including thirty-seven European countries—because you never know when Portugal might invade Euro Disney. And this doesn’t even count our secret torture prisons, which are all over the place, but you never really see them until someone brings you there—kinda like IHOP. Of course, Americans would never stand for this in reverse—we can barely stand letting Mexicans in to do the landscaping. Can you imagine if there were twenty thousand armed Guatemalans on a base in San Ber-nardino right now? Lou Dobbs would become a suicide bomber. And why? How did this country get stuck with an empire? I’m not saying we’re Rome. Rome had good infrastructure. But we are an empire, and the reason is because once America lands in a country, there is no exit strategy. We’re like cellulite, herpes, and Irish relatives: We are not going anywhere. We love you long time!””
About This Quote
Source Comedy: Real Time with Bill Maher, 2009 episode
Critiques endless overseas military presence, likening it to an unwanted, permanent occupation that erodes national values and personal freedoms.
In simple terms: U.S. bases abroad feel like an unending empire that never leaves.
Recognize and question costly foreign deployments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- journalism
- public discourse
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the true costs of maintaining distant bases?
- How can a nation balance security with restraint?
Overemphasis on presence can strain resources and diplomatic relations.