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semantic: "Are you suggesting the quest for empire, whether it was Rome, Britain or the US, was based on patriotism, rather than a naked quest for power, wealth & control?"

Nothing about the word "patriotism" excludes hopes for greater US "power, wealth & control" over global forces of chaos & tyranny.
But US patriotism is far more, including our moral sense of what's right & wrong.
US foreign & domestic policies have never been divorced from such higher concerns, and they never will be, your unlimited cynicism not withstanding.

And now the discussion moves, as it typical among those who hold dear certain theological belief systems, faith. Faith in fantasies, myths & fables, whether secular or ecclesiastical.

Here's a free tip: follow what is occurring in genetic research. Scientists are getting closer to identifying certain brain gene expressions that govern & control rationale thought. The flip side, of course, is the ability to manipulate the kind of characteristics you propound. Imagine the power accessible to genetically alter and program and entire nation/army of drones.

People like you have always been fodder. Some eventually figure it out, others, well, not so much. However, it's not your fault; actually, you were just born this way. So, if there's any blame to go around, blame our proto-human ancestors. Darwin is a bitch, and ruthlessly culls anyone not subscribing to tribal conventions.