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Obama acknowledges decline of US dominance

j-mac

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MUMBAI: Implicitly acknowledging the decline of American dominance, Barack Obama on Sunday said the US was no longer in a position to "meet the rest of the world economically on our terms".

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Mumbai, he said, "I do think that one of the challenges that we are going face in the US, at a time when we are still recovering from the financial crisis is, how do we respond to some of the challenges of globalisation? The fact of the matter is that for most of my lifetime and I'll turn 50 next year - the US was such an enormously dominant economic power, we were such a large market, our industry, our technology, our manufacturing was so significant that we always met the rest of the world economically on our terms. And now because of the incredible rise of India and China and Brazil and other countries, the US remains the largest economy and the largest market, but there is real competition."

"This will keep America on its toes. America is going to have to compete. There is going to be a tug-of-war within the US between those who see globalisation as a threat and those who accept we live in a open integrated world, which has challenges and opportunities."

Obama acknowledges decline of US dominance - The Times of India

So here we go....Before this trip, I thought to myself, just another apology, America sucks tour stop. But this seems to go further now. Obama seems to relish in the idea of unpegging America as a superpower. So my question is how do you see it? Are we the dominant force in the world anymore? And should we be?


j-mac
 
So here we go....Before this trip, I thought to myself, just another apology, America sucks tour stop. But this seems to go further now. Obama seems to relish in the idea of unpegging America as a superpower. So my question is how do you see it? Are we the dominant force in the world anymore? And should we be?


j-mac

I guess my first question is how is admitting reality an apology?

Now to answer your questions.

1. I believe that America is growing more slowly while other, less developed, countries are catching up. This means the balance of power is shifting.
2. I would like the US to continue being the dominant power because I believe our society is much more moral than China's, but there is no denying their economic growth.
 
I know it is hard having low national self esteem, but try to look at something objectively and not through the lense of feeling inferior. We'd still a great nation even when we're struggling. :coffeepap
 
So here we go....Before this trip, I thought to myself, just another apology, America sucks tour stop. But this seems to go further now. Obama seems to relish in the idea of unpegging America as a superpower. So my question is how do you see it? Are we the dominant force in the world anymore? And should we be?


j-mac

Dominance requires a kind of 'virtue' and strength of character that the American people have chosen not to devote themselves to.
 
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Dominance requires a kind of 'virtue' and strength of character that the American people have chosen not to devote themselves to.

A belief in American Exceptionalism you could say, right?


j-mac
 
I know it is hard having low national self esteem, but try to look at something objectively and not through the lense of feeling inferior. We'd still a great nation even when we're struggling. :coffeepap

Who says we have a low self esteem? I see that in liberals but not everyone. And why does this malady that is born out of liberal guilt of being born American have to translate in our own supposed leader trumpeting this around the world....Seems counter productive to me. That is if Obama actually wants America to succeed.

j-mac
 
A belief in American Exceptionalism you could say, right?


j-mac

If one actually believes that, there is no reason to be so sensitive. Only someone who really doesn't believe that has their feelings hurt everytime someone speaks.
 
Who says we have a low self esteem? I see that in liberals but not everyone. And why does this malady that is born out of liberal guilt of being born American have to translate in our own supposed leader trumpeting this around the world....Seems counter productive to me. That is if Obama actually wants America to succeed.

j-mac

No we. Unless you mean those like you. And your comments say that. We'd not so weak as to be derailed by truthful and honest self inspection.
 
It takes big cahoonas to say something that is highly unpopular but true.

America had its chance to be top dog, and squandered it. Left the only superpower in the 90s and was doing ok..

And then everything went to **** under Bush. Two unwinnable wars. Disastrous financial policies and deregulation. Having an entire society based on greed and gluttony (and housing prices that have to continue to rise).

If you're looking for the reason Americas dominance has declined. You need only look in the mirror.
 
If one actually believes that, there is no reason to be so sensitive. Only someone who really doesn't believe that has their feelings hurt everytime someone speaks.

Who has their feelings hurt? Not me. I believe in this country. I believe in its role as leader in the world. I am only asking the question. Seems you are projecting.


j-mac
 
No we. Unless you mean those like you. And your comments say that. We'd not so weak as to be derailed by truthful and honest self inspection.

Are you really saying that America sucks Joe?


j-mac
 
So here we go....Before this trip, I thought to myself, just another apology, America sucks tour stop. But this seems to go further now. Obama seems to relish in the idea of unpegging America as a superpower. So my question is how do you see it? Are we the dominant force in the world anymore? And should we be?




j-mac

Yes we should be. However, if we don't turn around quick and get on another path we'll be far down the list.
Obama doesn't care. He doesn't think we are anymore exceptional than any other country.
When he was elected, I thought he wanted to spread the wealth here. Now it's obvious he wants to spread our wealth around the world.
He'll never even try to connect with the American people. He puts himself way above us, and sees himself as a world leader. I'm convinced he has no love for this country.
 
It takes big cahoonas to say something that is highly unpopular but true.

America had its chance to be top dog, and squandered it. Left the only superpower in the 90s and was doing ok..

And then everything went to **** under Bush. Two unwinnable wars. Disastrous financial policies and deregulation. Having an entire society based on greed and gluttony (and housing prices that have to continue to rise).

If you're looking for the reason Americas dominance has declined. You need only look in the mirror.

You're right, we do have ourselves to blame if this is the case. However, who says it is the case. Those from other lands would be cautious in poking the Eagle.


j-mac
 
A belief in American Exceptionalism you could say, right?


j-mac

Americans have no problem believing they are exceptional. Our self-esteem tends to outstrip our accomplishments, at least on a personal level.

Pride is a dangerous emotion. Unrelenting perfectionism and humility is a better recipe for success.
 
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Are you really saying that America sucks Joe?


j-mac

See what I mean. Only someone with low national esteem could read that in what I wrote. Thanks for showing me correct.
 
It's sad that telling it how it is has suddenly turned into celebrating the fact that America is no longer a superpower or somehow stating that America sucks.
 
Who has their feelings hurt? Not me. I believe in this country. I believe in its role as leader in the world. I am only asking the question. Seems you are projecting.


j-mac

Actually, you don't seem to believe that at all, and your actions show that. Like above for example. :coffeepap
 
It's sad that telling it how it is has suddenly turned into celebrating the fact that America is no longer a superpower or somehow stating that America sucks.

Personally, I would prefer that we are strong enough to be a superpower, but we don't do the foreign intervention, unless we are attacked or an ally is. Given the list of powerful countries, I would much prefer it be us, australia, canada, or a western european country.
 
Americans have no problem believing they are exceptional. Our self-esteem tends to outstrip our accomplishments, at least on a personal level.

Pride is a dangerous emotion.

Because I believe we are exceptional. Show me a country that does as much for the world as we do.

j-mac
 
America will always be a power.

It just doesn't have the economic strength it once did.

Economic leverage is everything.
 
Personally, I would prefer that we are strong enough to be a superpower, but we don't do the foreign intervention, unless we are attacked or an ally is. Given the list of powerful countries, I would much prefer it be us, australia, canada, or a western european country.

Oh, no doubt. It would absolutely make us feel more secure. I just think it's silly to criticize people who tell it like it is. Should we just bury our heads in the sand and pretend all is well?
 
Because I believe we are exceptional. Show me a country that does as much for the world as we do.

j-mac

Pretty broad statements. What is it that makes americans exceptional and what is it they 'do' for the world?
 
Oh, no doubt. It would absolutely make us feel more secure. I just think it's silly to criticize people who tell it like it is. Should we just bury our heads in the sand and pretend all is well?

No, ignoring real problems creates more problems. However, I would never wish this country not be a superpower (of course my wish means squat on this matter) if it can be.
 
Because I believe we are exceptional. Show me a country that does as much for the world as we do.

j-mac

There is none. But pride is a corrupting feeling, like power, and easy to get addicted to. Pride drives people to care more about appearances than substance, and by extension show off their greatness rather than work to maintain it. Greatness is best when it speaks for itself. Great products or great accomplishments require no comment. Their greatness is self-evident.
 
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