I am for what benefits America even at the expense of other nations. If we don't exploit Chile because of ethical considerations, it won't stop other countries from just doing it themselves.

I don't disagree. I would like then to stop claiming moral high ground as a valid reason to spend billions of tax payer dollars blowing shit up, often to leave it worse off (Afghanistan). Were those oil contracts worth more than we spent on the military?

I would also like the discussion of this topic among the people and the press to be a real analysis of the costs and benefits. Exactly how much richer are we for exploiting S.A.? How much would it cost to stop all of the current immigration from South America? What are the most cost effective strategies to mitigate the damage. What is the financial cost to Americans in increased demand for rent driving up prices, and the increased labor supply driving down the wages? What is the equilibrium point that maximizes the benefits for us when balancing all these variables?

Instead we have propaganda wars