It's hard to admit that you're no longer the good guys, and that you were swindled

The American people were not swindled. There is a long history of supporting wars of aggression (Vietnam, Philippines, Cuba) as long as the US is winning.

The American people wanted to be swindled. They were willing victims of a country that has repeatedly overthrown country after country (let alone democracy after democracy) in the name of democracy.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice - its that evil bushes fault. Fool me - what is it now? - 20 times? 30 times?

Swindled - na. How about willing participants?

_{aspiring to genteel poverty}