The Fall of the American Empire

[Stardreamer]

The intro segment of Fareed Zakaria GPS show commented that China's President Xi has formally announced at the party congress that China is now the other great superpower. This conclusion is based on the China's economy and the communists managing to find a functional balance between ideology and economic reality.

But Fareed points out it is also because America is failing in its role as a world superpower and leader. Since Trump and the Republicans took control the opinion and trust of even our allies in the world are plummeting. The chaos in the Congress, the Administration's wild swings and very open readiness to not honor US commitments and agreements all are undermining the role of the US as a world leader.

So I guess the question here is the American Era now coming to an end and the world will be shaped by the new Chinese World Leadership?

 

[Stardreamer]

Now I want to say there are numerous issues that contribute this decline of US in world opinion but I put a lot of damage at the foot of Trump. We are seeing proof positive in this administration that the old saying that anyone can be president is NOT true.

 

[gsdx]

Well, I can speak from experience. Our former conservative prime minister Stephen Harper did the same thing. In his second term, the world's view of Canada changed dramatically, and not for the better. While our levels dropped, the American levels are plummeting. The world doesn't like being bullied, and there is no trust or diplomacy in Trump. He may think he's fooling everybody with his lies and tactics, but we know better.

However, it can be fixed. It is not permanent as long as the next administration patch things up.

 

[Stardreamer]

Well, I can speak from experience. Our former conservative prime minister Stephen Harper did the same thing. In his second term, the world's view of Canada changed dramatically, and not for the better. While our levels dropped, the American levels are plummeting. The world doesn't like being bullied, and there is no trust or diplomacy in Trump. He may think he's fooling everybody with his lies and tactics, but we know better.

However, it can be fixed. It is not permanent as long as the next administration patch things up.

Truth, this is why the next election it is more important than ever for the Democrats to field an inspiring, qualified candidate and not just whoever is at the top of the 'it's their turn' list.

 

[gsdx]

^ The biggest difference is that Harper did his damage in the last few years of his second term. Trump has done infinitely more damage in the first few months of his first term. If he survives a full term, the United States may be an island unto itself. In that case, it would take much more time and effort to regain the confidence and trust.

 

[Benvolio]

There has been no American Empire, which is an offensive word. Aside from that we have trouble seeing how past arrangements have benefited the US. As we have seen the U S subsidizes health care in other countries. Most of them scrimp on defense, relying upon the US for defense. How do we benefit?

 

[Stardreamer]

There has been no American Empire, which is an offensive word. Aside from that we have trouble seeing how past arrangements have benefited the US. As we have seen the U S subsidizes health care in other countries. Most of them scrimp on defense, relying upon the US for defense. How do we benefit?

The major benefit of the American Era, if you care for that better but I think in my term of the Mantle of Rome, has been a largely stable world economically and socially with America reaping most of the benefits of that thanks to being the nation not only setting the rules but also having the most intact industrial infrastructure after WW II. If you think it is better for America to have the Mantle pass to China so we can save on costs so be it. Don't complain though when the Chinese Communists are setting the world standards.

 

[gsdx]

As we have seen the U S subsidizes health care in other countries.

No, we haven't.

 

[mikey3000]

This is the first time in history that a superpower has financed its successor. Trump has been in office for barely one year, you can't pin this on him. Look at how Hillary sold out the uranium to Russia.

 

[johaninsc]

 

[ballcaphair]

There has been no American Empire, which is an offensive word. Aside from that we have trouble seeing how past arrangements have benefited the US. As we have seen the U S subsidizes health care in other countries. Most of them scrimp on defense, relying upon the US for defense. How do we benefit?

If the tables turn 180, that may be an advantage. We'd be on the receiving ends Finnally,even if the new powers are totally inept, then we'd be even,

 

[Stardreamer]

This is the first time in history that a superpower has financed its successor. Trump has been in office for barely one year, you can't pin this on him. Look at how Hillary sold out the uranium to Russia.

I most certainly can pin it on him when the major driving factor is that his Administration is doing its best to convince the world that America is led by a clueless buffoon and that we cannot be trusted to honor our commitments.

 

[gsdx]

^ Do you remember the Mayor Rob Ford fiasco from a few years ago? He made Toronto (and Canada) a laughing stock around the world.

Déjà vu on the World Stage instead of City Hall.

 

[rareboy]

This is the first time in history that a superpower has financed its successor. Trump has been in office for barely one year, you can't pin this on him. Look at how Hillary sold out the uranium to Russia.

You hang onto that Uranium nonsense. It will give you focus while the real story is unfolding in front of you.

The US lost its position once it allowed China to finance the war of adventure in the Middle East. Blame that on Bush.

But when it comes to global leadership, the Trump doctrine will allow China to have full control of the arena.

The US will never recover. They will just be like Great Britain...a spent force.

 

[Benvolio]

You hang onto that Uranium nonsense. It will give you focus while the real story is unfolding in front of you.

The US lost its position once it allowed China to finance the war of adventure in the Middle East. Blame that on Bush.

But when it comes to global leadership, the Trump doctrine will allow China to have full control of the arena.

The US will never recover. They will just be like Great Britain...a spent force.

No, we along with Canada and Europe have made China rich by failing to compete with their low wage labor. The Middle East wars have not hurt us year nor has the resulting debt. Perhaps someday but not yet. China has acquired a lot of our debt, but our only obligation is to repay them with dollars—one kind of paper for another.
I am not optimistic about our future because I fear the loss of our people and great culture and the substitution of a hodgepodge of divisive cultures willing to accept authoritarian rule and a mediocre socialist economy.

 

[Benvolio]

You hang onto that Uranium nonsense. It will give you focus while the real story is unfolding in front of you.

The US lost its position once it allowed China to finance the war of adventure in the Middle East. Blame that on Bush.

But when it comes to global leadership, the Trump doctrine will allow China to have full control of the arena.

The US will never recover. They will just be like Great Britain...a spent force.

If you haven’t noticed, our stock market is at an all time high, unemployment is down, and wages are up. Economically we are still leading the world. America is great again until the Federal reserve pulls the plug for the 2018 election.

 

[gsdx]

I don't know why Trump keeps bringing up the 'uranium' thing. He doesn't even know what it is:

 

[Kulindahr]

Now I want to say there are numerous issues that contribute this decline of US in world opinion but I put a lot of damage at the foot of Trump. We are seeing proof positive in this administration that the old saying that anyone can be president is NOT true.

I learned it as "Anyone can become president".

So we see here the difference between becoming and being.

 

[Kulindahr]

Truth, this is why the next election it is more important than ever for the Democrats to field an inspiring, qualified candidate and not just whoever is at the top of the 'it's their turn' list.

If the Democrats want to win, they should field a candidate who has at least a C grade from the NRA -- split the gun vote.

And of course without the arrogance of the last offering.

They could even "turn back time" -- if Al Gore would return to his original positions on guns, he would be a shoo-in; the GOP wouldn't be able to touch him.

 

[Kulindahr]

There has been no American Empire, which is an offensive word. Aside from that we have trouble seeing how past arrangements have benefited the US. As we have seen the U S subsidizes health care in other countries. Most of them scrimp on defense, relying upon the US for defense. How do we benefit?

It's an honest word in terms of foreign policy, and becoming an accurate word in terms of police state at home.

The defense issue is getting rectified slowly as far as NATO, and Japan isn't doing badly either.