A Superpower in turmoil

[Bobber]

I'm not really talking about the gradual decline of American influence, it's more that I've really noticed a rapid decline over the past two years - everything from relations with other countries, to internal affairs.

I'd suggest your post is really just a bias with a political slant. Not that American relations with other nations isn't going through a transition YES which might feel uncomfortable but you conclude that's a bad thing. Is it really though?

If a nation has to make a stand to set and establish things on a more just footing yes it can create some turbulence but wise leaders look to the end result they're seeking to achieve not the temporary pats on the back from other nations who want to direct America's foreign policy to their own advantage.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Now with the relaxation on restrictions, the rates of infection have climbed from 17000 to 25000 per day in just a week.

I can see the statistics, too. The numbers are still on the decline. I don't pick one bad day and call it a trend.

I'm not really talking about the gradual decline of American influence, it's more that I've really noticed a rapid decline over the past two years ....

I've noticed it over the last decade or more.

Though, frankly, when I see people online criticizing America, like when I see rioters in the street looting and pillaging in the name of some odd complaint against the country, I suspect that the real problem in America comes from the very nature of the people who have the most aught against it.

 

[Speedwell]

I'd suggest your post is really just a bias with a political slant. Not that American relations with other nations isn't going through a transition YES which might feel uncomfortable but you conclude that's a bad thing. Is it really though?

That's a good question. Is an intentional withdrawal from a position of world leadership a good or a bad thing in the long run? I suppose arguments can be made from either side of the issue.

If a nation has to make a stand to set and establish things on a more just footing yes it can create some turbulence but wise leaders look to the end result they're seeking to achieve not the temporary pats on the back from other nations who want to direct America's foreign policy to their own advantage.

Which is exactly what will happen as other nations begin to take the more active role in world leadership once held by the US.

 

[Zoii]

I'd suggest your post is really just a bias with a political slant

Well of course its a bias - Im looking at it from my perspective - I thought we all did that. That said - none of the issues re COVID or civil unrest is untrue.

Not that American relations with other nations isn't going through a transition YES which might feel uncomfortable but you conclude that's a bad thing. Is it really though?

Well I gather you are referring to the choice of America withdrawing from a good many international accords AKA put America first policy. Is it a bad thing? Im guessing you don't think it is and that you accept that means the US is less influential in the world and so be it.

If a nation has to make a stand to set and establish things on a more just footing yes it can create some turbulence but wise leaders look to the end result they're seeking to achieve not the temporary pats on the back from other nations who want to direct America's foreign policy to their own advantage.

Im not sure what you mean and how that relates to pandemic management or civil unrest, but gather you believe that whatever unrest may come, you're not interested in the view of those outside USA. Perhaps its why the USA has withdrawn from WHO.

 

[Zoii]

I can see the statistics, too. The numbers are still on the decline. I don't pick one bad day and call it a trend.

You are very correct - the USA has certainly brought the curve down. My comment was regarding the trend back up over the last 7 days from 17000 to 25 000. Your statement that I selected a bad day isn't true. That said - seven days isn't truly a trend - best to see what's going on over a month....and then hopefully you are right.

 

[Bobber]

That's a good question. Is an intentional withdrawal from a position of world leadership a good or a bad thing in the long run? I suppose arguments can be made from either side of the issue.

I can agree with that.

Which is exactly what will happen as other nations begin to take the more active role in world leadership once held by the US.

I hardly think in REAL TERMS America days of not being the most influential voice in world affairs that it'll be over any time soon. Shifts like like usually take 2-3 generations to occur. I think of the once great Spanish empire. Hard to believe that influence they once had but that took generations to change. So World leaders today might claim the U.S. isn't a player in the Super league anymore but that doesn't do away with the fact that they really still would be.

Maybe a silly illustration but like in sports....if a Micheal Jordan, a Wayne Gretzky, or a Babe Ruth had pulled out of their leagues one might claim they're not any more super players BUT....EVERYONE would still know they would be and it'd be a joke to say they're not.

 

[Bobber]

Im not sure what you mean and how that relates to pandemic management or civil unrest, but gather you believe that whatever unrest may come, you're not interested in the view of those outside USA. Perhaps its why the USA has withdrawn from WHO.

I'm not American but I don't think your government isn't interested in the view of the WHO but they don't however want to allow it to be the governing institution that decides American policy.

 

[FireDragon76]

In just a few months we have seen a country that prides itself on strength as a nation turn into a nation not coping and weak.

In the past months, we saw the USA grapple and wrestle back that curve that was climbing steeply re COVID infection and death rates. Now with the relaxation on restrictions, the rates of infection have climbed from 17000 to 25000 per day in just a week.

A president at odds with his own medical experts ie

• recommendations re isolation and social distance
• use of masks
• ingestion or injection of disinfectants
• Use of chloroquine

Riots and civil unrest across several states - some related to the a reaction against government-imposed COVID restrictions, and more recently, violent demonstrations of civil unrest against police killings.

Unemployment rates higher than the great depression
A sinking Dow Jones

Partisan divisions at their most divisive in the history of the USA
Gun Death Rates at 16500 in five months.

Each country has its issues and challenges. But as an outsider observing the USA this seems to be a country that's struggling with its own internal affairs above and beyond what other nations in the OECD are experiencing.

Is it as bad as it seems?

The Dow is over 2500, so I think all things considered, things actually aren't as bad as they could be. I don't credit Trump and his cronies for that, however. There have been alot of other Americans stepping up in fill the vacuum in authority and make responsible decisions.

I don't think there's as much disunity as you would believe. Blacks rioting in reaction to high profile media events have been happening periodically throughout my life, unfortunately. It's distressing but it's not a sign the country is falling apart.

 

[Chesterton]

In just a few months we have seen a country that prides itself on strength as a nation turn into a nation not coping and weak.

WARNING! WARNING! Your OP is in violation of the forum's SOP. Please edit to provide a link to a credible news source to support your opinion that a superpower is in turmoil.

 

[Zoii]

I'm not American but I don't think your government isn't interested in the view of the WHO but they don't however want to allow it to be the governing institution that decides American policy.

I'm not American, and I think the reasons USA have withdrawn funding and membership in the middle of a pandemic is reprehensible and bewildering

 

[Bobber]

I don't think there's as much disunity as you would believe. Blacks rioting in reaction to high profile media events have been happening periodically throughout my life, unfortunately. It's distressing but it's not a sign the country is falling apart.

I agree it's not. If worse came to worse, and I mean the worse....the military would step in and lower the boom to whatever degree necessary. Once anarchist would KNOW the gig is up then they'd know that without any question it is. It's just hard to know to what measure the military would have to go to stabilize things but that they could do. People can have peace to know they won't let the country fall apart.

I'll add on that's not to say people who peacefully protest at government buildings are anarchists that need put down. It's a part of law and order to allow that to always exist.

 

[Zoii]

WARNING! WARNING! Your OP is in violation of the forum's SOP. Please edit to provide a link to a credible news source to support your opinion that a superpower is in turmoil.

Oh heck.... Google Covid and Google civil unrest, Dow Jones and unemployment rates. For petes sake. Where have u been

 

[Zoii]

The Dow is over 2500, so I think all things considered, things actually aren't as bad as they could be. I don't credit Trump and his cronies for that, however. There have been alot of other Americans stepping up in fill the vacuum in authority and make responsible decisions.

I don't think there's as much disunity as you would believe. Blacks rioting in reaction to high profile media events have been happening periodically throughout my life, unfortunately. It's distressing but it's not a sign the country is falling apart.

Im guessing your view is, that despite everything, you believe the country is doing OK.

 

[Chesterton]

Where have u been

I'm in the superpower. Heard a good band in a club last night. Going to have a nice lunch with a friend at a restaurant later today. Everything's fine.

 

[Zoii]

I'm in the superpower. Heard a good band in a club last night. Going to have a nice lunch with a friend at a restaurant later today. Everything's fine.

LOL good answer

 

[FireDragon76]

I'd suggest your post is really just a bias with a political slant. Not that American relations with other nations isn't going through a transition YES which might feel uncomfortable but you conclude that's a bad thing. Is it really though?

If a nation has to make a stand to set and establish things on a more just footing yes it can create some turbulence but wise leaders look to the end result they're seeking to achieve not the temporary pats on the back from other nations who want to direct America's foreign policy to their own advantage.

The problem is that American power peaked decades ago. Neither Trump nor Biden are operating from a point of reality in this matter. Attacking China for unfair trade practices is "precious", no doubt, as it hearkens back to the glory days of the Cold War, but in a multipolar world, it's also a sign of America's increasing irrelevance. The world has changed, but American leadership has mostly not woke up to this fact.

 

[Bobber]

I'm not American, and I think the reasons USA have withdrawn funding and membership in the middle of a pandemic is reprehensible and bewildering

But won't medical people all over the world always be giving their reports? Won't leaders of all nations be able to still study out what all such professionals are saying? Why does the WHO institution have to be the sole source?

 

[FireDragon76]

Im guessing your view is, that despite everything, you believe the country is doing OK.

Yes. We are muddling through things. But this is what the US has always done. The US has rarely had great leaders, and even when we have, they have always had significant flaws.

Winston Churchill said something like, Americans can be trusted to do the right thing, after they have done everything else. And his words do contain an element of truth in the estimation of our national character, even if it is filtered through a British political lens. Americans have never been like the British or Commonwealth countries that often cloak their actions in heavy-handed moral posturing.

 

[Aldebaran]

But we can yell at people on Twitter. Isn’t that was tough guys do?

No. Tough guys burn down their neighborhood, and then complain about living in poverty and believe the world is against them. "No justice, no peace" and all that.

 

[FireDragon76]

No. Tough guys burn down their neighborhood, and then complain about living in poverty and believe the world is against them. "No justice, no peace" and all that.

It's sad and pathetic really. It's splitting your nose to spite your face.

Unfortunately, prominent figures like Al Sharpton are not helping matters by stoking anger, even if they are not actively cultivating violence in their rhetoric. In the context of mob psychology, anger is a dangerous emotion to cultivate.