The intent of this paper is to induce the readers to think for themselves about the United States Foreign Policy (USFP) and not let the “experts” do it for them and, in the process, help get our country out of the foreign policy morass it has been in for the last at least seventy years.  It may be generally agreed that the ideological roots of USFP and the drivers of this nation’s actions in the global arena have been the constructs of Manifest Destiny and American Exceptionalism.  These ideas have led the US over the course of its history to pursue expansionist policies and engage in many military interventions in other countries.  American foreign policy has indeed been expansive, gaining for the United States vast territories (for instance, half of Mexico) during the 19th century.  In the 20th century and during the last 15 years of the 21st century, the US has not been motivated by a desire for new territory but inspired by an ambition for political, economic and cultural hegemony, particularly after the fall of the Soviet empire.  Limaye, the author of this piece, finds very little evidence to substantiate the often-made claims that the US always fights for democracy and freedom.  The author would like the US to see itself as others see it – particularly, as many people from the developing countries see it.  Limaye maintains that, during the last six decades or so, the US has mainly relied on its “hard” (military) power but, in most cases, has gained little return on its investment.  A major reason why the US has recently failed to achieve its goals is that, like other empires before it, it lacks empathy for the nationhood of other peoples.  The US as a nation does not comprehend that people elsewhere also love their own countries.  The imperial path the US has followed has engendered of late a good deal of animosity toward it in several parts of the world.  If the US were to abandon its imperial dream and employ carefully more of its “soft” power, the dangerous situation the world and the US itself are now in might get at least somewhat ameliorated.