For ever it seems, we and the world believed we were the richest, most powerful
nation on the planet. In truth, If we were to apply generally accepted accounting principles
to prepare a balance sheet of the U.S. financial condition, we would appear to be
essentially bankrupt. We continue to function by the forbearance of our creditors, primarily China, Japan and the middle Eastern oil producers.
The world no longer looks to us to lead, or as a model of democratic governance and
capitalist success. At the just concluded Davos World Economic Forum, many nations
openly expressed doubt about our ability to govern ourselves. They see us as a hapless Gulliver chained into impotency by lilliputian politicians. More and more they are turning away from America as a model and turning to China for lessons in how to cope with the world-wide recession and manage their own developement.
With our decline, we have lost the ability to influence world affairs, or to convince
allies to join us in international adventures. We are still one of the world's largest markets but our deficit spending on imports, not matched by exports, raises
prices we pay for them by depreciating the dollar.
There is an exit from this deadly gridlock if we have the will and courage to take it. Will our congress compromise in the public good and put aside
selfish lust for power? Will those able to pay accept the need to pay for the things
we want, now, even if that requires some to contribute more to the nations till?
Will we insist on truth, not propaganda from our lawmakers; that they work on
solutions for all the people; and that until we are on firm ground again, they suspend hate talk and blame games?
The world wants and needs America to be great again, but they grow weary of waiting.
Let us rise to the demand of the times, and regain the glory that was deservedly ours!
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2 comments:
Yes indeed our Nation has problems.
This morning, Saturday Feb 6 2010, as I picked up my newspaper I glanced at the headline that said "Let us Pray'.
Immediately I thought "Is our condition so desperate that prayer is our only last resort?"
On second look the headline was: "Let us PLAY".
So indeed tomorrow our problems will disappear watching the SuperBowl and its SuperDuper million-dollar commercials.
La Fontaine Fable
The Grasshopper and the Ant
The Grasshopper having sung
All the summer long,
Found herself lacking food
When the North Wind began its song.
Not a single little piece
Of fly or grub did she have to eat.
She went complaining of hunger
To the Ant's home, her neighbour,
Begging there for a loan
Of some grain to keep herself alive
Til the next season did arrive,
"I shall pay you," she said
"Before next August, on my word as an animal.
I'll pay both interest and pricipal."
The Ant was not so inclined:
this not being one of her faults.
"What did you do all summer?
Said she to the grasshopper.
"Night and day I sang,
I hope that does not displease you."
"You sang? I will not look askance.
But now my neighbour it's time to dance."
==========================================
La Cigale et la Fourmi
La Cigale, ayant chanté
Tout l'été,
Se trouva fort dépourvue
Quand la bise fut venue :
Pas un seul petit morceau
De mouche ou de vermisseau.
Elle alla crier famine
Chez la Fourmi sa voisine,
La priant de lui prêter
Quelque grain pour subsister
Jusqu'à la saison nouvelle.
"Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle,
Avant l'Oût, foi d'animal,
Intérêt et principal. "
La Fourmi n'est pas prêteuse :
C'est là son moindre défaut.
Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud ?
Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse.
- Nuit et jour à tout venant
Je chantais, ne vous déplaise.
- Vous chantiez ? j'en suis fort aise.
Eh bien! dansez maintenant.
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