On American Strength

Where did the idea that the US is the most powerful nation on earth come from and is it still valid? Consider first our involvement in World War I; in which the introduction of fresh troops and more importantly fresh equipment from the American Expeditionary Force broke the war's stalemate and ushered in the allied victory. We were able to do that because our industrial base which flourished in the 50 years after the Civil War in this nation. Then came the Second World war. It was our undisturbed industrial base and immense energy reserves that gave the minor advantage that allowed the allies to win that one. We were able to make the equipment to supply both our military, the British, the Russians, and all the others that we fought with. that was a tremendous accomplishment and was at once the beginning our our status as a Super Power. We did not win the Second World War because we were somehow a superior people, we did it because we had industrial might and the energy to run it. Ethiopia called her people to war armed with spears, Polish peasants brought battle axes to the front, we supplied the RAF with aircraft and Russia with tanks, we build the transport ships that fed Britain, and coal from West Virginia and oil from Texas and Oklahoma fueled both the machines and the factories.

Where are we today? If we contract out our military production to other nations can it be said we are still a super power? Is the key in the design or in the building? Well, maybe its a moot point; what nation would contract with us if our money had no value, what sort of Super Power will we be when we no longer have the factories to build the tools of war, no more energy sources to run the factories, and no valuable currency with with to buy the stuff?

Much of our country is foreign owned. Our debt is foreign owned, our Industries are foreign owned. Most of what we buy is foreign produced. We even have to outsource our military roles. We have as many corporate mercenaries in Iraq as we do US soldiers.

http://www.economyincrisis.org/

The Sun has set on the American Empire. We need to realize that, quit talking and acting like we are the ones who are in charge, and build out country from the inside.

It's the entire economic and social structure that shows a country's strength...military is just one aspect of that power and without the infrastructure, such "power" wouldn't be possible.

The U.S. "emerged" as a "power" following the Spanish-American war and it was based as much on this country's ability to outproduce than our enemies. It was the "Arsenal of Democracy" that was our military might before we sent any troops into WWII and its that arsenal, along with the economic engine behind it that not only propelled the U.S. after the War, but also contributed greatly to the rebuilding of Europe...and where the ground of our "superpower" status really lies.

Also, it's been American culture that has made a big impact...our movies are still the standard around the world and American tourists (no matter how ugyly they are) were visible signs of the affluence and power that other nations would emulate...and in many cases succede better than we have.

The one thing that remains America's strength is our breadbasket...we still are the world's largest food producer and this strength should never be understimated.

The concept that America is some superior nation is what needs to be revised...many assume this to mean we can push anyone and everyone around. The strength of a great nation is showing that power without ever having to fire a shot in anger.

Our balance of trade deficit would be much much worse if it were not for the export of grain, to be sure, but today's extremely high price for that exported grain has an awful lot to do with the drought in Australia, not in the inherent value of our output. Where will our agricultural strength be if it rains in Australia next year?

...much of that money now goes to corporate farms...another welfare system that needs a real good investigation. But that's another topic.

The balance of trade is a big problem...but also a mixed blessing. I've long believed that as long as this country is a major consumer (not commenting on if this is good or bad), its in the best interests of a Japan or China to keep us happy...and that a lot of the money that goes to these countries ends up back here (or at least the Bahamas) in corporate profits or stock dividends. In many ways this is the "super" behind the superpower, but with a "global economy" that concept is becomming passe...except for those still stuck in the 50's.

The interesting thing is that we heard a lot of this same banter in the 80's and early 90's and then Silcon Valley cranked up and that impression and our national fortunes changed. I'm hoping taking the money squandered daily in Iraq and channeling into our own infrastructure and development of alternative energy could spur another turn around.

Cheers...

But the same people with the same mentality heading for the same end of their republic, just tailor made for today's delicate sensibilities and the fact that we were once free for two centuries, unlike the 1930s Germans.

American strength? Don't make me laugh. We are the weakest bunch of fools to ever inhabit this nation, which isn't even the Old American Republic (1776-2000, RIP) anymore. And it is my estimate that when the time comes to decide freedom with sacrific or virtual slavery, we will bend our cowardly knees to Emperor Jeb or George P. 98% chance.

Sorry, Thom. Don't blame the messenger because the news is bad.

But what tripe. Your pessimistic and doom and gloom attitude begs the question - why bother participating in a forum for people who are trying to save this country?

If I actually were a Secret Freeper I'd act a lot more like you, and do my best to demoralize everybody.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

If anyone is confused about which asshole I am speaking about it is the post that is DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS ONE.

Aplogies to any non-assholes who may have thought I was talking about you. I'm not. Whoever this asshole is KNOWS who they are...an asshole. I cannot see the reply nor which particular asshole it is and I don't really care to know which asshole it is.

But everyone reading this knows which asshole it is, and I am sure as with most of the people I have on ignore (as I have gleaned from viewed the other half of conversations between an Ignored Asshole and a Regular DUer), 95% of Du knows the asshole is an asshole.

Why do these assholes bother responding to people they know hav ethem on ignore? They're assholes, that's why. Griefers. Google the term if you haven't of these assholes already. They are everywhere.

NOTE: To avoid any confusion amongst regular DUers, let me state this message is directed at whichever ignored asshole responded to the my last post, and is located DIRECTLY ABOVE this post. These comments are not intended for anyone else. If you are not sure if it is you I am taunting, then it is almost certainly not you I am taunting. These assholes know who they are and in fact pride themselves on their assholedom, shitting all over any threads they wish to grief.

What an idiot. What a sad pathetic crybaby idiot. pardon me, asshole, my sides are splitting.

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I will never see your post. Hell, I will never know who you are. I mean, I can narrow down to the five or six of the truly most virulent, have-nothing-to-say-but-sneers-and-bullshit assholes, which are the only ones I have on ignore, but beyond that, who cares?

The funny thing is, I am very sparing in my use of the Ignore Function. Many people with whom I have had disagreements or spats with and I won't put them on ignore. It is only after a person has demonstrated numerous times that they have nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to say, and are totally bereft of the simplest message board decency, do they get put on my ignore list.

Anyone with a shred of intellect to bring to the table, a shred of original critical thinking skills, won't get put on ignore.

Hang on, Chief. I want to laugh at you again.

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Know why I am laughing at you? First, because you are such an asshole with nothing to bring to the intellectual buffet that DU can be. Second, because I will NEVER see what you have written and you have and will see EVERYTHING I have written. I don't mind descending down in the mud with you assholes briefly, so let me just state unequivocally that makes my the big winner here and you the big loser. Not a single nasty you have tossed at me will I see, and you have seen and were clearly infuriated by my correct assessment of you, that and the fact that so many others share that assessment of you, obviously.

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OMG, thank you so much! It always makes me feel so very good when I whip some asshole verbally who deserves it as much as you, whoever the hell you are.

Now I know assholes, so your pathetic ego is thinking that I Do know who you are and I DID look at your bullshit. You HAVE to. It's part of who you are. But it's not true.

Hang on, hang on, asshole loser. I feel a gust of laughter at you coming on again.

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Now, this has been a fun diversion, made more so by the fact that you read EVERYTHING I wrote and I read NOTHING you wrote. That, plus the fact that all the many other DUers who have put up with your bullshit are reading this and enjoying your discomfiture and your being called out for what and who you are.

Oh thank you so very much. Do it again! Respond some more, fruitlessly. This is GREAT! In fact, it's the greatest fun a person could have without actually seeing the angry frustration and the weepy gnashing of teeth of yours. Do it again!

But expect no more response from me. I have had my fun, asshole. And you have had your ass whipped. No more is required but please feel free to respond as meanly as you wish.

Thanks again, asshole. If you were a mensch, you would have put me on ignore and be done with me. But then, you wouldn't be the asshole you are.

Bye-bye :hi: :hi:

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Oh how I am laughing at you. My sides are splitting. So are the sides of alot of other people who know you (whoeever you are) for what you are.

Awesome! Do it again!

Poor tom paine has to construct this elaborate fantasy world based on total lack of knowledge of what I am actually saying, and even that is enough to get him to write all this.

I never put anybody on ignore - no point to it. I am not afraid of other people's opinions. I suppose I should have more pity for those who are.

Bryant

"We Don't Care" ~ "We Don't Care" ~ "We Don't Care"

Which we don't have much of any more. I think people want to see the US as a world leader, able to persuade people to peace by example, able to bring conflicted parties together. The Republicans think that means we must have world domination and full suppression of anyone who disagrees with us, and look where that's gotten us. In the modern, interconnected world, being a "superpower" is measured in terms of persuasion and leadership, IMO.