Does America ever learn their lesson in foreign affairs?

its called "money". the american leaders (doesn't matter which ones past or present) use the excuse of "national interests" to interfere with other countries. question is what does "national interests" really mean? who in government pushes interference? what are their motives? mostly it boils down to money. who will gain or loose money if a country becomes indifferent or hostile to the US? take the viet nam war, the leadership line was "to defend democracy in the south against the evil communists in the north" but what one of the real reasons were the huge oil deposits that viet nam has just off shore that the US had its eyes on. again in the middle east..oil. the government needs "bogyman" to point at to instill fear into the populace of the US because then when they ask for huge amounts of money to "neutralize the threat" the people will give their blessings and money. if you've seen the movie "V" is for Vendetta there is a statement said by the leader " we have to remind the people why they need us!" sadly politics will not change soon because all politicians, no matter what flavor, are all the same.