> how many natives died when colonizing forces spread them diseases or outright committed genocide.
Are there really people thinking the Native American Genocide was somehow worth it? That's despicable. Tell me because I'm not sure, you classify the genocide as "transient effect" or "meaningful policy"?
> [...] would the world really be a better place if America were limited to some traders on the East coast?
Irak war anyone? That's how USA makes world a better place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMkrJOOTjj4
It may be what will kill our civilization after all, if not mankind itself.