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Obama acknowledges decline of US dominance

See what I mean. Only someone with low national esteem could read that in what I wrote. Thanks for showing me correct.

Nice try Joe. But once again you fail to answer the simple question, and instead try and use utterly childish attempts at table turning. Now answer the question.

Actually, you don't seem to believe that at all, and your actions show that. Like above for example.


Hmmm...Interesting....I have never met you face to face, don't really know you other than what you write on these boards. I usually try and take at face value what you say, even though at times it is so contorted as to be utter nonsense. Yet, I don't think I have EVER blatantly judged you like you just did here. Who the hell do you think you are anyway? You think because you hide behind your comp that you can be as arrogantly insulting as you wish? You don't know me pal, and I have great reservations that you have the capacity to read what is in my heart about this country, let alone be able to tell me what I am thinking at any given moment. What do you know of my actions? Nothing. What I do on a daily basis is certainly not in line with anything I am questioning about this thread, and can only surmise that you bring it up to deflect, personalize, freeze, and defeat through Allinsky tactics this debate.

So unless you have something of value to speak on about this then I suggest you not make this about me, and address the subject matter. Are we clear?


j-mac
 
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.

It would definitely be nice if we could remain a superpower, but who knows what the future holds? There could be a lot of huge and horrible changes in store for the world and don't even realize it.
 
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.

So you think we are a bit too vocal when we aid the rest of the world?

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.

Another mind blowing statement from you MG.

I'm glad you post here. If even sporadically.
 
Pretty broad statements. What is it that makes americans exceptional and what is it they 'do' for the world?

What is it that we don't do for the world? Who is first in with aid? Who is the leader in money given in aid to other countries? Who gives more charity {private} than any other country? Answer: We do. What do we get in return? Demonized, and lied about, even by those in this country.

j-mac
 
What is it that we don't do for the world? Who is first in with aid? Who is the leader in money given in aid to other countries?

Sweden. The US is at the bottom of that list.

Sure in total dollars it is first, but considering its economy and population that aint saying much. Only way to compare countries is per capita.. and here the US at the bottom. And if we add the EU as an entity, then the EU giving dwarfs that of the US.

Who gives more charity {private} than any other country? Answer: We do.

Not only is hard to prove, but much of the private charity the US gives.. goes to its own people, which you have to take out of any equation (for all countries too).

What do we get in return? Demonized, and lied about, even by those in this country.

j-mac

Republican is not equal to the US.
Republican policies and right wing policies is not equal to the US.

As for being demonized.. only Republicans are claiming this because it fits in their twisted world of playing the victim and rallying patriotism up to support them against the world. In reality most of the world gives jack **** about the US and only reacts when the US does something harmful against them or others (or in my case.. acts a hypocrite).. and like it or not, the US has done so for the last 50 years out of self interest. If it had not been for the Bush administration, the US standing in the world would still be pretty good.. but your dear leader pissed that away. Just think... the world was behind the US after 9/11... and as soon as Bush started to talk about Iraq... things changed.
 
What is it that we don't do for the world? Who is first in with aid? Who is the leader in money given in aid to other countries? Who gives more charity {private} than any other country? Answer: We do. What do we get in return? Demonized, and lied about, even by those in this country.

Cry me a river. Whining about how unfairly everyone treats you is what losers do, not superpowers. What matters is the strength of our economy and the power that it brings. We have squandered what we have with poor choices and we are facing the consequences of our failures. If we pretend that problems don't exist or simply whine about being treated unfairly, the problems are only going to get worse. We have forgotten that being on top takes the determination to shape your policy towards that end. That means we have to sacrifice what we want in favor of what we need.
 
Sweden. The US is at the bottom of that list.

Absolutely untrue.

Sure in total dollars it is first, but considering its economy and population that aint saying much. Only way to compare countries is per capita.. and here the US at the bottom. And if we add the EU as an entity, then the EU giving dwarfs that of the US.

Again playing with numbers only shows your true disingenuousness on the subject. Let me lay out some facts for you:

according to a November 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. In philanthropic giving as a percentage of gross domestic product, the U.S. ranked first at 1.7%. No. 2 Britain gave 0.73%, while France, with a 0.14% rate, trailed such countries as South Africa, Singapore, Turkey and Germany.

Americans give record $295B to charity - USATODAY.com

Not only is hard to prove, but much of the private charity the US gives.. goes to its own people, which you have to take out of any equation (for all countries too).

Please cite your sources.

Republican is not equal to the US.
Republican policies and right wing policies is not equal to the US.

As for being demonized.. only Republicans are claiming this because it fits in their twisted world of playing the victim and rallying patriotism up to support them against the world. In reality most of the world gives jack **** about the US and only reacts when the US does something harmful against them or others (or in my case.. acts a hypocrite).. and like it or not, the US has done so for the last 50 years out of self interest. If it had not been for the Bush administration, the US standing in the world would still be pretty good.. but your dear leader pissed that away. Just think... the world was behind the US after 9/11... and as soon as Bush started to talk about Iraq... things changed.

Yes, yes, the big, mean ol US....Tell me, when the Tsunami hit who's ships were first on the scene? Germany's? British fleet? No, ours were. When the Pakistan disaster hit, who is there trying to get basic needs met? Europe? Nope. When Bush gave more to the African people for the combating of AIDS, more than anyone else has ever done, was he hurting them, or helping them? Your line of the US only doing bad, or self interested things is unproven by the facts, and when you realize that when the world wants a check, they turn to the US for that money, you tell me who would be better in that role, or even care enough to do it? China? Russia? Iran? Yeah right.


j-mac
 
Yes, yes, the big, mean ol US....Tell me, when the Tsunami hit who's ships were first on the scene? Germany's? British fleet? No, ours were. When the Pakistan disaster hit, who is there trying to get basic needs met? Europe? Nope. When Bush gave more to the African people for the combating of AIDS, more than anyone else has ever done, was he hurting them, or helping them? Your line of the US only doing bad, or self interested things is unproven by the facts, and when you realize that when the world wants a check, they turn to the US for that money, you tell me who would be better in that role, or even care enough to do it? China? Russia? Iran? Yeah right.


j-mac

One of the few things I'll give him credit for.

Credit where its due.
 
Cry me a river. Whining about how unfairly everyone treats you is what losers do, not superpowers. What matters is the strength of our economy and the power that it brings. We have squandered what we have with poor choices and we are facing the consequences of our failures. If we pretend that problems don't exist or simply whine about being treated unfairly, the problems are only going to get worse. We have forgotten that being on top takes the determination to shape your policy towards that end. That means we have to sacrifice what we want in favor of what we need.


Yeah, How's that mind set worked for you all in Cali? Not so good I think.


j-mac
 
Yeah, How's that mind set worked for you all in Cali? Not so good I think.

If you think people in California share my mindset, you are sadly mistaken. The public and legislature went on a spending binge without increasing revenue precisely because they are unwilling to make the tough calls. You can see the greed in the initiative system, where only measures funded by bonds rather than taxes got passed.
 
I agree that America has declined from what it use to be, but we are still a great country to live in and too raise a family. People with low self esteem are the ones that tend to be the hard core nationalist which Pride tends to be the down fall of a nation more often than other issues because we get to smug. I don't beleive America sucks it just reality that we aren't dominant anymore.
 
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People will go to great lengths to interpret Obama's statements as negatively as humanly possible. Always entertaining. Apparently admitting reality translates to a gleeful desire to see America fall.

The Minnesota Vikings are horrifically under-performing this year. Clearly this must mean I utterly despise the team whose jersey I was wearing just yesterday...
 
I agree that America has declined from what it use to be....


Why? Monetarily only? And if that is the only reason, do you believe that downturns in our economy in the past had also at corresponding times made us less, or in decline?

but we are still a great country to live in and too raise a family.

Is that the only thing that matters, our own self interests in the immediate?

People with low self esteem are the ones that tend to be the hard core nationalist which Pride tends to be the down fall of a nation more often than other issues because we get to smug.

And your particular degree in psychoanalytical skill comes from where exactly?

I don't beleive America sucks it just reality that we aren't dominant anymore.

Why? What has happened to make that a reality?


j-mac
 
People will go to great lengths to interpret Obama's statements as negatively as humanly possible. Always entertaining. Apparently admitting reality translates to a gleeful desire to see America fall.

What makes this a reality in your mind?


j-mac
 
What makes this a reality in your mind?


j-mac

The decline of our domestic production, general economic issues, globalization, modernizing of India and China... it's not hard to see that we aren't as clearly dominant as we were 20 years ago.
 
The decline of our domestic production, general economic issues, globalization, modernizing of India and China... it's not hard to see that we aren't as clearly dominant as we were 20 years ago.

What could we do to get back to the number one slot, or should we even bother?


j-mac
 
What is it that we don't do for the world? Who is first in with aid? Who is the leader in money given in aid to other countries? Who gives more charity {private} than any other country? Answer: We do. What do we get in return? Demonized, and lied about, even by those in this country.

j-mac

Whether aid actually even helps is up to debate. :shrug:
 
"I don't beleive America sucks it just reality that we aren't dominant anymore."
Why? What has happened to make that a reality?

Lot's of reasons. Economics and transition friction. Modern warfare and the fact that nations cannot be conquered without reverting to atrocities of the past which are not acceptable to modern international society anymore. Also, one reeeaaaalllyy bad president (Bush). A bad war that has sapped resources and the reality that some nations cannot be democratized. The loss of international face over that war which means less power and prestige at the table. The president of China probably wouldnt even look our president in the eye. The international system is changing. :shrug: I'll see what i can pull up. Half the game is having the respect and cards to play and someone threw it all away.

Also: overexpansion, loss of ideological legitimacy.
 
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It should be noted that the U.S. still is the most powerful country and will continue to be for some time. The problem is that we are trending towards losing that perch in the future. Some factors influencing cannot be controlled. India and China both have much larger populations, and the advantages we hold in technology become smaller as they advance. That said, we have hastened the process with countless mistakes. We have lacked commitment from either our leadership or the public in maintaining our international status.
 
Ok, so stop the aid....Got it...Then what do you think they will say about the US?

j-mac

I never said to stop it, there are real steps the western nations should take (maybe they cant, maybe theyre constrained politicaly) to help por nations such as removing subsidization of grains etc. But that of course would make all processed foods more expensive. So many considerations. So many poopy outcomes.
 
One of the few things I'll give him credit for.

Credit where its due.

Reminds me of a person from Sudan I teach here. He's a huge fan of Bill Clinton as Clinton helped him move to the country. In class, students were making cases for which candidate they were going to vote for. He was looking at party affilliation, and when he saw the R, he said you can't vote for those people. They won't help you. I laughed to myself, but asked him to explain. His entire explanation was based on his opinion of Bush's help, or what he saw as a lack of help (perception).

Just found it interesting and don't suggest I agree with his interpretation of all republicans.
 
There's nothing wrong with admitting the rise of powers, both militarily and economically, like Brazil, China, India, etc. Its simply reality, and thats all Obama is saying. J-Mac is simply assuming it means so much more because it feeds his self-righteousness, I mean the man is nothing if he can't complain about he's the only one who "gets it." I mean good Lord the guy is egotistical enough to remember to add his name to the bottom of every post.

Anyway just because there are other economies rising, which will compete with America, through and because of globalization, the United States is still leaps and bounds ahead of these countries in military and economic power.
 
There's nothing wrong with admitting the rise of powers, both militarily and economically, like Brazil, China, India, etc. Its simply reality, and thats all Obama is saying. J-Mac is simply assuming it means so much more because it feeds his self-righteousness, I mean the man is nothing if he can't complain about he's the only one who "gets it." I mean good Lord the guy is egotistical enough to remember to add his name to the bottom of every post.

Anyway just because there are other economies rising, which will compete with America, through and because of globalization, the United States is still leaps and bounds ahead of these countries in military and economic power.

it's poor national self esteem. It's a terrible thing. Just sad. :coffeepap





;)
 
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