I have to disagree with you Skybird - from what you write above, it does indeed seem like America did it's homework.
That seems to be the ideal scenario for any country trying to maintain a dominant position in the world. Seems to be the way things have been done by every major power the world has ever known. The only difference is, we won't attempt to force you to become America, and if we decide to take over your country, we have little interest in holding on to it. This is in stark contrast to every other major world power the world has ever known.
Welcome to the New Order! :p Quit complaining and enjoy the relatively free life you have already. This is not how thing would have been done 200 years ago. You would be assimilated and put into forced slavery. Your ancestors would consider todays world a Utopia.
-S