Can't Afford to be Weak

[AFTT47]

If anything we are a world leader because of Hollywood and our music industry. We are the cultural center of the world.

Uhh! Seriously!? If I agreed with you, I'd be rooting for our death! Rap is the cultural future of our species!? Bring on the roaches! That would be an improvement!

Anyway, you may be right but that's my whole point. We ARE the cultural center of the world (much to the detriment of the world) but that's BECAUSE of our power. Do you seriously think the rest of the world would follow us if it were not for that? That would be a massive improvement of our species in the way of culture if they didn't BUT: There are a lot of good things about this country that it's great that the world follows. Human rights don't come from the sky. They exist only because of the power to defend them. THAT is the value of the USA. Europe is far more enlightened than us in that regard but they don't have the power to influence the world the way we do. Worldwide human rights exist largely because of the power of the USA.

I can't speak with authority on the relative military strength of the USA compared to rest of the world. I am fully aware of the relative spending difference - for now. But spending is all for naught without the manufacturing capability to back it up. We prevailed in WW1 and WW2 because of our enormous manufacturing power. We don't have that today. We have become a nation of consumers reliant on others to make our toys for us. The only thing keeping us afloat is military spending, civil aviation and niche manufacturing like private space flight.

Anyone who thinks this isn't a problem is kidding themselves. This country is losing its power. And any of the fools who like to cry about 'Murica are going to love China for liberal values if we go down.