OH, AMERICA, THE NOT SO GREAT!

 

OH, AMERICA, THE NOT SO GREAT!

 

In January of 2025 the Trump circus once more rolled into town with the usual fanfare, boasts and promises.  The second time around has turned into an even worse performance than the first term in office.  Biden may have fluffed a few lines during the presidential debates, but the insane stream of comments and lies flowing from Trump’s mouth are beyond the pale.  In the past American presidents were crucified for inaccurate statements or gaffes.  Trump keeps piling them up in such humongous quantities that everyone, including the media, has simply given up.  The excuse, well, that is Trump for you.  This is definitely not a new dynastic Camelot in the offing or an enduring political romance, but a brush with disaster.  Increasingly Trump’s cognitive abilities are questioned and called into question.  Hello, do we really need a professional medical opinion to diagnose his erratic behavior and his inability to keep his mouth shut as a potential problem?  He may have enamored the public with his bluster and bullying and over the top antics, but it is starting to wear thin.  His is the performance of a bad actor who has manipulated himself to the top with money and outrageous promises.  His inflammatory accusations and bombastic rants; to name just one of the biggies; insinuating that Americans have been taken advantage off and that those people and nations involved and responsible will pay a hefty price and as a result money will come flowing in!  There is not even a pretense of qualified people running his circus.  A hapless cast of second rate actors trying to breathe life into bad scripts.  The damage they have inflicted in such a short time has done irreparable damage to the lives of millions people.  They have sown nothing but mayhem and distrust in the business communities at home and abroad.  Alliances have been broken or have been treated with scorn.  In the wake of this irrational behavior, threats and baseless accusations, friendships have been destroyed and the global community has lost faith in America and its leadership.  Never before in America’s history has there been such an abuse and a disgrace of public office.  The blundering has reach stratospheric heights.  Dishonor and disrespect.  America, with Trump at the helm, has allowed itself to be crucified at home and on the world stage.  Everything within the Trump sphere becomes contaminated with rot, corruption and political ineptitude.

 

Silence is a virtue for people with loose lips.  B.B

Trump’s psychological profile is that of a self-indulgent, narcissistic megalomaniac, topped off by a persecution syndrome.  Any hint of criticism, any slight, is counteracted with a vindictiveness that defies the norm; from lawsuits to attempts to destroy the careers and livelihoods of individuals and organizations.  Trump and company have also insinuated that nations around the world have taken advantage of America’s generosity.

After World War One and Two, America increasingly flexed its global muscle with its military might and manufacturing base.  Countries around the world were left with massive rebuilding challenges.  Nations were left in ruin, physically and financially.  America fostered a dependency on its military for protection and America as a nation prospered as the world was hungry for its products and technologies.  But, Europe and other parts of the world slowly rebounded and once more built up its industries and economies and reliance on US produced goods became less and less, although the US continued to dominate defense industries and global purchases.  US military products are still a hot commodity although Trump has thrown a monkey wrench in that as well.  His policies are encouraging nations to walk away from made in America.

As a result of intensified global production and competition American trade surpluses and profits soon turned into sizeable trade deficits.  American industrial behemoths also turned their attention to new and emerging global markets and cheap labor.  Basically abandoning America.  While globalization efforts flourished and lined the pockets of the super wealthy, traditional businesses in America floundered and vanished.  Instead of counteracting the demise of local businesses through modernization, improvements and domestic investments that include supply management, education and retraining, America instead resorted to deficit financing, running up huge deficits to prevent the nation from imploding.  America and its people are now the dubious holders of nearly one-third of all global debt.

The eagle is looking tired, bruised and old!

The lunacy of empire!

England abandoned their forays into empire after the disastrous and costly impact of two World Wars.  It could no longer afford the cost and the effort.  Royal imperial dynasties also became a relic of times gone by.  But America willingly stepped into the void left behind.  The lure of empire is too great to resist; to be the biggest, strongest, most important and most feared.  From the ancient Sumerians and all the candidates in between, all of them have attempted and failed.  Even that cute, tiny nation of Holland, had a kick at the imperial can.  All those with imperial ambitions have a habit of stepping on sensitive toes and sticking their noses into places where they don’t belong.  The true cost of empire only dawns slowly and by the time that realization sets in, it is too late.  Lurking in the shadows are an eager bunch of players ready to challenge America’s hegemony, influence and power.

America’s forays into international conflicts after World War Two have been disastrous: Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Africa, the Middle East and South America.  America’s political and military meddling reaching new heights of global-sized ineptitude.  Costly interventions with little or nothing to show for.  America voluntarily donned the mantel of international policeman and peace maker.  NATO may not have pulled its weight in equal measures, but none of the NATO members have engaged in major wars and conflicts.  Mostly peace keeping duties.  America has been duped by imperial ambitions.  It is the fate of all empires.

 

In the human world peace is an interlude in between wars.  The balance of power is shifting and the next phase of military developments and investments will not carry the stamp of made in the USA.  Trump is actually hastening the demise of America by pushing trade and trust away.  Trust is essential in the relationships between nations and establishing effective trade agreements and cooperation.  The picture that will emerge instead is that of an America increasingly isolated, militarily, financially and what is even more important, in a lack of trust.  The breakup will be gradual at first and then it will accelerate, unless Trump and company are stopped in their tracks and America regains its senses.  What Trump and his acolytes have set in motion will be hard to stop and any recovery of what Americans have lost will be slow and painful.  Trump’s MAGA slogan may well transform into: Make America Go Away!

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As a writer I regard my essays and articles as an invitation to my readers to explore and broaden their minds and opinions.  An enlightened mind is never satisfied, never confined or limited.  It is only natural that some of our assessments and viewpoints will change over time as the world around us constantly changes and adapts to new realities.  My job as a writer is to keep the conversation going and to refresh the intellectual pursuit of ideas.