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Globe essay

A turning point in the U.S.?

JEFFREY SIMPSON

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:36 AM EDT 29/03/08

Americans today are perplexed and anxious, but hope remains ...Read the full article

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  1. p m from Canada writes: 'so many people are engaged in their politics now'.

    this is a comment in 'quantum'.
    it is not a comment on quality!

    like other aspects of the american system, the education level and the perceptiveness of the world around them of the average american has diminished.

    'more people involved' in much like a riot after a football game where your team has lost.

    Until some fundemental issues in the US (and Canada) are addressed, we can see a continual decline in all of the indices that measure our standards.
  2. Ed Long from white Rock, Canada writes: This is an excellent article that concisely summarizes the American situation objectively but with hope for our only neighbour.

    I admire Mr. Simpson's optimism.

    However, I believe all great powers eventually decline and the signal for this decline is a baroque period of excess, the real loss of power and denial masked over with a desire for past glories.

    The Twentieth century belonged to America, the Twenty-first will not.

    And Canada, while a good neighbour, must prepare to be a more independent country for this century.
  3. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    The fundamental question of existence is survival, growth, and evolution.

    3 things define evolutionary wealth: renewable water, renewable land, renewable energy (frequent rains, occasional floods, and daily warm sun). US has 32.4% of globe's arable land. Could close borders and still feed 3 billion. An incredibly rich country. (Canada could barely feed 5 million without trade)

    America can afford to be cocky. But more than natural endowments one needs faith. Religiosity abounds, but faith has given way to Corporate culture that is wasteful, profligate, and inefficient

    Double income, no kids, large homes, small families, less work, more play, fast cars, large SUVs, unproductive same sex unions, purposeless carpe-diem existence, ...., and no future.

    Those without America's blessings but faith outwit her. OBL made them eat humble pie. Iran's Mullahs thumb at her.

    Heart transplants, silicone boobs, straight noses matter less. America is opting out of Evolution.
  4. R L from Canada writes: Syed Abbas,

    Wow... your claim is that USA can 'feed 3 billion' people with closed borders, but Canada can 'barely feed 5 million'? What a joke! Where do you get your absurd figures, your donkey's behind? Completely absurd!

    'America can afford to be cocky. But more than natural endowments one needs faith. ... Those without America's blessings but faith outwit her. OBL made them eat humble pie.'

    WOW again..... faith is just what USA needs? Yes, that should solve all of these problems, 'God' will swoop in and save the day? Hah.

    It's hard to tell if you were just being sarcastic, but I'm thinking you weren't.
  5. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    R L: Greetings

    All we have is grains and meat. That is not a balanced diet.

    We have a short growing season. Unless we trade we could not feed ourselves. Tar sands saute a la sauce bearnaise is not to my liking.

    If the US closes its border we would freeze and starve.

    Yes. The US can feed 2 billion at present technology, and with a bit of efficiency, up to 3 billion with a balanced diet with borders closed.
  6. Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: Make sure you Canadians fasten your seat belts and hold on for the ride because you're coming down to the depths with us...hahahhaha
  7. Jim Cohoon from Canada writes: It appears that the jolt of 9/11 did not result in the U.S. 'waking up' in any meaningful sense -- i.e., in any sense that would motivate it to honestly examine itself at the beginning of the 21st century and assess where it is going in the world. Among its many sins, the Bush/Cheney administration provided a triumphalist screen for America (or many Americans) to hide behind, an excuse to hide from reality in a self-deluded attempt to create its own new reality -- a new reality ideologically based in 'The Project for a New American Century'. As Mr. Simpson pointed out, reality is no longer readily co-operating in that delusion. In the meantime, rather than dealing rationally with reality, the world, and its own internal issues, the U.S. has been exacerbating its own deepening flaws and problems, with negative consequences not only for itself, but for the planet as a whole. One ray of 'hope' may be an Obama presidency, which (at least potentially) could provide that very unique (non-repeatable) opportunity for the U.S. to not only regain respect in the world, but could provide the basis for a moral renaissance or spark of honest self-examination that could put the U.S. back on the path to genuine self-respect and moral leadership in the world once again.
  8. JEANNE FARINE from Vancouver, Canada writes: The corporate/investor hierarchy to which Mulroney gave the instrument of 'free' trade with which to extend globally the dominance of the minority with financial resources has stripped the U.S. and Canada of a capacity to achieve any form of self-reliance. Add obscene wars, and idiotic insistence that excessive extraction of non-renewable resources will somehow 'fix' the stresses in social and economic structures...You have the recipe for the downfall of any culture or political entity that has committed to the idiocy.

    To propose that the victimized public should now cover through taxes the losses of the financial institutions who added the ultimate instability to an overly strained economic base by outrageously irresponsible behavior...is the ultimate obscenity.

    The odd lonely voice of basic sense is emerging in the United States. The two Democratic contestants for the Presidency are each, to a greater or lesser degree, edging towards a logic that 'free' trade, without balancing domestic responsibility, moves jobs and economic control off-shore. One can only hope the faint sounds of such logic ultimately prevail. If the U.S. can recover control of its own enterprise we may hope that others can share in a more stable world...not by restricting or controlling others, but by insistence on balanced trade, with equitable labour and social protections for all trading partners. And, with no apology to those amongst us who equate any governmental initiative as 'socialist interference', we must recover the original democratic concept that the people and their welfare come first...not investors and their instrumentalities which strive to benefit by shutting out the citizens and their nations in the decision making centres. Call this 'socialist rhetoric' if you will...it beats the corporate claptrap that suggests self-identified genius in the marketplace trumps common sense. Tell that nonsense to the folks losing homes jobs and hope!
  9. DAVID DIVER from Comox, Canada writes: An interesting article on the decline of America at home and in the eyes of the world. Notwithstanding the vast army of the poor - both black and white - the American people have fed for a long time on excesses of wealth, consumerism,entertainment, patriotism and the knowledge that their nation is all powerful as the only true world superpower. Eighty percent of the population profess a belief in God and good Christian values yet judging by the incidents of violence, corruption of morals in corporate finance, a fascination with the downfall of the famous in sex scandals and an acceptance of American war exploits abroad (until they fail, that is,) one is left wondering whether for many their belief is hypocritical or a complete lie. The devastation of Iraq must surely go down as one of the greatest war crimes in recent times with its people scattered, shattered and forgotten when it comes to rebuilding the country and making reparations for 5 years of occupation. To those who point the finger at the Bush administration as the culprits, I would point also at Congress in its complicit acceptance of the war and the American people for not rising up in civil disobedience throughout the land. It will take a major catastrophe to bring the American people to their senses and the truth is that only through deprivation and suffering at home can that nation rebuild and regain its moral status as did the European countries that experienced the horrors of war at first hand. The 9/11 attack was shocking but in terms of what war can do it was an incident of modest proportions in contrast to Fallujah for instance let alone earlier times involving mass bombing raids flattening cities. Do the Americans feel any guilt whatsoever as to what they have done in the killing of thousands in countries not on a par regarding military footing? At what point does it recant and change its ways?
  10. hossein hajiagha from Victoria, Canada writes: The only problems with USA and canada I do not liked is kind dirty freedom....every one free to do what ever wish here ....gang's, drug dealers, and so on....so dirty
  11. Tkk Z from Canada writes:
    So what the core problem with America?

    Simple: A deeply rooted culture of hubris that resulted in great excesses, lavish squandering, coupled with declining skills of the newer generations in the face of increased skills of its global competitors. All combined to reduce real standard of living. There is a absolute unwillingness to accept the prospect of a lower standard of living by creating ever risker enterprises to prop things up - bubbles after bubbles. Americans simply can no longer create enough value to sustain the life style it has gotten used to, and even feel entitled to.

    So what's the solution?

    Simple: Create real values to fit the life style, or accept a much lower life style. No more borrowing. And no more hubris.
  12. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Ironically, I believe that America could be going through a process of being fixed. America has been on a moral downward spiral for over forty years, what we see today I believe are likely the symptoms of this path. There are millions of Americans that understand what made America great – like no other peoples in the world, these folk understand freedom and liberty &8211; they know what made their country great &8211; it is not what has been going on for the past forty years - these people will not let their country and way of life go down - the New Hampshire license plate says it all: 'Live Free or Die'

    God Bless America!
  13. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Oh Lord.

    Canada has benfitted greatly from our American neighbour.
    If there is any country on the planet that is as American as America, it's Canada.
    Don't kid yourself.
    And we love it!

    Rock and roll.
    The big block V8.
    Heat-seeking thermonuclear missiles.

    Canada exists precisely because the US exists.
    We are them.

    They are us.
  14. Draza Mihailovic from Canada writes: I agree with Obama's pastor. The sun is setting on the American empire!
    Yes, and her enemies will be here long after she's gone! No more will she exploit other countries under the guise of democracy. As the old spiritual goes: 'chickens are coming home to roost.' Now America, return to the vile dust from whence thou hast sprung, Unwept, unhonoured and unsung.
  15. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Tkk Z from Canada - I think your comment posted at 2:50 AM has some truth in it.
  16. JDSmith ... from Canada writes: The US can fix itself. They understand how to inovate and manufacture products... great products.

    The problem is the stock market... the stock market... the stock market!

    The middle-man on Wall St. have been getting money for nothing and drinks for free. For the past 20 years companies have been driven by share prices. Senior management has no long term interest in the company... only their share-option package. Pay management the same relative wage that real workers earn. This not rocket science.

    Get rid of the middle-man, get rid of options for executives and focus on company business.

    America can fix itself.
  17. Ron Bourgeois from Vancouver, Canada writes: Mr. Simpson's essay raises some key points of reflection that every American should consider in going to the polls this fall $9 trillion dollars in foreign debt and growing dependence on foreign oil is prima facie. As an executive in the resource industry, I am aware that the USA imports 11. 5 Million barrels of foreign oil daily. Domestic production of 5 million barrels per day is falling and even a recession will not stem (just slow the rate) of increasing oil imports. At $101.00 per barrel, this represents a daily defcit of $1.16 Billion or $423 Billion annually. The Iraq War look like a runt. Legally, US Federal Government cannot implement laws to address this problem. Many of the changes to reduce energy consumption, such as mass transit and controlling urban sprawl, are in the hands of state/ local officials. Contrast BC's Lower Mainland and Washington's Puget Sound area. Many Canadians are not aware that since 1971 ( a law signed by Richard Nixon) that the US Federal Government pays 50% of the capital cost of urban mass transit stsyems (i.e. buses and subways). Metro Vancouver has been building sky train systems and emphasizing density. Washington State's answers is to add more lanes to I5. Four million people live in in the 4 county Puget Sound Area (Seattle-Tacoma) all within a corridor 10 miles each side of the interstate in a 60 miles long column. Yet Washington considers itself 'green' and has been electing ('left-of-center) Democrats to the State House and control of the state assembly for years. The thought of coordinated planning and zoning has never occurred to them. To add fuel to this fire, you can get a good view of Bill Gates 30,000 square foot mansion when you cross Lake Washington on I-90. The Government of Washington State does not plan for its future energy sources. It is currently 100% reliant on Alaskan crude, where production has fallen from 2 million barrels per day in 1982 to 700,000 today and trending downwards.
  18. Gerry Dunnhaupt from Toronto, Canada writes: The daily declarations of doom by the presidential candidates are hardly helpful in lifting the spirits of the average American.
  19. aging oldtool from Canada writes: Gerry Dunnhaupt, the 'daily declarations of doom by the presidential candidates' are hardly even touching on the real doom that hangs like old Betsy for all 350 million Americans to lament.

    Sure, the candidates sound honest and frank, but only when compared to the Yellow Brick Road type of fantasy that nation has wallowed in since Eisenhower felt comfortable enough to caution about the perils of the military-industrial complex.

    Since then it's been mandatory to project the Hollywood myth. But thanks to GW and those who read him correctly early on, like the Wall streeters and other Enron-style vermon, the lamest leader in its 240 year history has led the country into a funk only its harshest of enemies could have dreamed of.

    The US needs it's own Marshall Plan, not the typical 'throw some money at it' by a philosophical renewal. Certainly John McCain isn't about to deliver on it and Hillary, while her intentions may be good, is simple too self absorbed to focus on the change that's needed.

    Obana has the spark required to at least ingite the torch, but the question lingers, has America matured enough to appreciate that the great melting pot can blend the spirits, while preserving the rainbow it and the world have become.
  20. Paul Thompson from Canada writes: You dig rock and roll Sharp? I've always thought of you as a Carpenters kind of guy.
  21. Edmond Dusablon from United States writes: The US is dynamic and Canada is static. Americans work to fix problems while Canadians wring their hands and wait for government solutions. To all of the posters gleefully predicting America's demise talk to me in five years and we'll see where both our nations stand at that point.

    Gerry Dunnhaupt -- Only the Democrats preach doom and gloom. It's the only mesage they have.
  22. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Let me tell You How It Is: Greetings

    ' ... you're coming down to the depths with us...'

    Thanks but no thanks, we can manage that on our own.

    While crises bring the otherwise individualist Americans all together, or at least along ideological lines, the cleavages in Canada are tribal thus unbridgable.

    In past the two Solitudes became more so, in future hyphenated Canadians will tend to their own.

    America's crisis of confidence is transitory, Canadian is permanent.
    All things equal a people's confidence comes from their ability to feed themselves with borders closed, their common vision, their future orientation. Canada fails on every count.

    The metaphor for Canadian self-confidence a Head of state that sits across the ocean in an otherwise impoverished island that for over 200 years survided living off 3/4 of the globe.
  23. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Michael Sharp: Good Morning

    ' ... If there is any country on the planet that is as American as America, it's Canada....'

    There are no other two people as different from each other as the US and Canada.

    Americans are Freedom Loving Government Hating individualists, Love guns and violence, free enterprising, adventuresome risking failure, are mobile, are hospitable and gracious, are polite even when they you differ from them. Canadians are not so.

    While we seek inspiration from an impoverished island that could not feed itself and went around the world robbing others, generous America has always given away more than it has taken in, Republican greed nothwithstanding.

    Compare the low tone reasonable debates in the Congress with the immature emotional outbursts in the House of Commons zoo.

    Some Canadians, specially new ones and the Quebecers may secretly admire the Yanks, but Canada is profoundly anti-American for the reasons I enumerated.
  24. Jim Saxon from Canada writes: Wow - an attempt to define America in 1000 word or less! I would probably say even Jeffery is not up to the task. It is an elephant and 10 blind men situation - each giving his own perspective. I am sure, looking at the problems US is facing, even radical Islamists are proclaiming victory right now. Nothing could be further from the truth. Remember the fall of Soviets - there was a last hiccup when the hard core Communists had taken over the government for a short period of time? I think Bush's time was akin to the last of Cold war politics - seeing the world through an adversarial lens. America's power is not through ICBMs or B52 bombers - it is through ideas - of liberty, choice, freedom and the dream that anyone (even one without a title) can achieve greatness. Bush lessened it with his policies on torture, GITMO and Iraq and America has some hill to climb back. Americans know this and want to feel good about their country again - and that is where Obama comes in - he makes Americans proud again - of their place in the world as pioneers in almost all things material and social. Hillary remains a relic from the politics of past; McCain is in a bind to carry on Bush's war - only Obama gives hope. A strong and prosperous USA is in our interest - we should not be interfering in their politics - leaking of comments from an associate of Obama was immature and stains our relationship. The best we can do is to promise to work very closely with whosoever is the next President.
  25. Jim Saxon from Canada writes: It must really suck to be a liberal.
    __________________________________________________________
    And the rednecks need to keep out of a civil discussion.
  26. Charles Mitz from Canada writes: Syed may be close to the mark regarding the food generating capacity of the US but he is wildly off mark on Canada's ability to feed herself. Both countries can easily feed their populace with a substantial surplus left over. It is a bit scary, however, to realize how dependent our agriculture is on fossil fuels and how declining natural gas reserves and $100/bbl oil will play out over time.
  27. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Jim Saxon: Greetings

    ' ....that is where Obama comes in - he makes Americans proud again - of their place in the world as pioneers in almost all things material and social. Hillary remains a relic from the politics of past; McCain is in a bind to carry on Bush's war - only Obama gives hope...'

    For 90 years Republicans are in bed with Wahabbi Jihadi Islam - tribal, racist, misogynist, ignorant, war mongering, Trade monopolist.

    To antidote Jihadi poison Democrats turned to Barak Hussein Obama, a closet Muslim weaned on a convert Hijab donning Muslima with his formative early 10 years among the Muslims. He denounced his racist Christian preacher to push quintessentially Mohammedan values - universality, Indidualist Rights, Emancipation of women, Knowledge based economy, meritocracy, Peace, and above all Free Trade.

    Invited to Medina to live Mohammed made peace between two incessantly warring tribes. Would Canada also turn to a Mohammedan to end the English-French rivalry?
  28. Dave T from midwest, Canada writes: Americans have got themselves into trouble because of an excess of pride. That excess is largely a result of socialization, and its greatest manifestation is excessive patriotism and a collectivity of overblown egos. When the last American soldier in the Middle East sets foot on American soil, how many innocent people will have died because of 9/11? How many lives are worth one American life? Is fifty to one an acceptable ratio? One hundred to one? A thousand? At the same time, Americans are deeply fractured over looking backward (harkening to the myth of an idyllic past) and embracing the complexities of globalization. This has been evident for nearly a century, and was embodied in the ethos of the Progressive Movement: nativism, prohibition, the populist movement, suffrage. The shibboleth of the Progressives was 'traditionalism', the enemy was anything that threatened it, and the underlying motivation, in the words the movement's greatest historian 'status anxiety.' Hence, the popularity of the new progressives: Fox News. But it is blind patriotism and individual pride that has wrought the most damage to the United States, and historically, that is not something that is not cyclical. People with some semblance of humility live within their means. In the US, that does not appear to be the case. As a great poet wrote, 'Spring never sees the gracious ones turn green.'
  29. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Charles Mitz: Good Morning

    ' ... Syed may be close to the mark regarding the food generating capacity of the US but he is wildly off mark on Canada's ability to feed herself. Both countries can easily feed their populace with a substantial surplus left over....'

    I concur. We do export grains and meat. But I specified 'balanced' diet. Meat and potatoes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner will leave us fat and inefficient, survivable but hardly fit to grow and evolve.

    Canada can not survive without trade.

    American bashers lumping Americans with Republicans is throwing baby with the bath water.
  30. Volatility Stalker from Canada writes: This article reads like a partisan pundit piece. Obama is no savior. Neither is the rest of the field - perhaps the weakest field since Bush and Gore. Americans don't look to government to lead them to feeling better about their country. They expect government to avoid screwing things up. The Bush administration has really screwed things up. But the US is already cleaning up its economic mess. This continues even as the news reports are bad and sometimes worse. America has a long track record of rebounding and refusing to lay down in adversity. This current adversity is far from the worst Americans have experienced. Americans work very hard. This is not as widely discussed - but they have the strongest work ethic on the planet. Just go down and work at an American company to find out. Americans spend a lot - but they do so because they are confident their country is a place of opportunity and they can find a way to overcome problems. Given their track record they have reason to believe. Americans seem excessively patriotic. But their failing is not that they think they are better than everyone else - it is that they simply don't think about everyone else very often. The American economy is the least trade dependent of the G7 - Canada is the most trade dependent. Canadians have to think about others - especially Americans. But globalization may be changing America in that regard.
  31. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    R L:

    ' .... WOW again..... faith is just what USA needs? Yes, that should solve all of these problems, 'God' will swoop in and save the day? Hah....'

    I did specify ' ... Religiosity abounds, but faith has given way to Corporate culture that is wasteful, profligate, and inefficient.'

    Firstly, reliogisity is not faith.

    Secondly, having faith in God is one thing, in Satan another.

    Jihadi Wahabbis and Crusader Christians have faith, deep faith, in the power of sword and guns. That is why for 90 years they have been in bed together. Harding/Coolidge/Hoover put the House of Saud in Arabia and gave them Shia oil.

    Fifteen out of nineteen 9/11 Jihadis were Saudi.

    Jihadis are as anti-Koranic and anti-Mohammedan as the Crusaders are anti-Jesus.

    True faith gives hope. Bad faith gives despair, and lead to violence - always a sign of weakness.
  32. n storman from United States writes: Okay heres a question for you people.If you owned a business and you were looking for some one to fill a critical job would you hire some one who talks a good game but has an empty resume or would you go with an experienced person?
  33. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Volatility Stalker: Good day.

    ' ..... This article reads like a partisan pundit piece. Obama is no savior. Neither is the rest of the field ...'

    No one person can dream of solving the myriad problems of a complex society.

    But one person can embody and personify the mood of the people, of change, of a new beginning, of a new vision of the world.

    JFK defined the beginning of the end of Cold War that still lasted 25 years after him. He did propose the vision to conquer space that waited another 6 years after his death to land man on the moon.

    Obama is that moment in US history. America needs a new direction after the 1823 Monroe Doctrine was demolished by 9/11 Jihadis.

    A new Obama Doctrine in the offing?
  34. Volatility Stalker from Canada writes: That will have to be sold to Americans Syed.

    So far, Obama has been popular in the Democratic party, left of center crowd that the media is focusing on as the Democratic nomination is still interesting.

    I think the Democrats are cannibalizing themselves as usual and McCain will be the next president. The house and senate are likely to be Democratic though.

    Americans love a grid-locked government, the previous Republican control of everything is an anomaly.
  35. J.P. O'Brien from NYC, United States writes: You sell us short and cheap, Mr. Simpson. You don't seem to get it at all. We are in a life and death struggle. But we will come out of it either stronger or finished. The smart money says don't underestimate America. In any event Canada can't sit idly by and watch America with glee and smugness anymore, the stakes are too high and I think most of Canada knows that very well.
  36. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Volatility Stalker:

    ' ..... That will have to be sold to Americans Syed. So far, Obama has been popular in the Democratic party, left of center crowd that the media is focusing on as the Democratic nomination is still interesting...'

    You may be right. I suspect this election will be a cliff hanger like JFK-Nixon in 1960. Obama if he wins will do so by the thinnest of margins.

    Like Kennedy (a Catholic first), Obama will win the TV debates against McCain (a Red Republican like Nixon).

    But of course, no one can predict the future. Anything can transpire. A week is long in politics, and we have a whole of summer ahead of us.
  37. Dave R. from Canada writes: Indeed, Reverend Simpson, America's chickens are coming home to roost. Militarism and greed are over-stretching the Empire. Canada needs to diversify it's trade and become an independent democracy before the Lone Ranger sinks into the sunset.
  38. n storman from United States writes: Syed Abbas can you tell me what you mean about the Monroe doctrine being demolished by 9/11?Also what does Harding/Hoover/Coolidge have anything to do with Saudi oil?

    I think you are giving to much blame to republicans and too much credit to democrats.Both parties are culpable for are problems.Just look at the candidates they have given us in this critical election.A slick talking snake oil salesman and a too old warhorse.
  39. bill k from Canada writes: The US empire is toast and the WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT. The only clueless people that do not know are the Americans themselves. Keep waving the flag.
  40. james mccain from Canada writes: can someone explain the benefits of the enormous tax cuts 'awarded' to the top 2% of the wealthiest americans which w. wants to make permanent? i ask in all sincerity, no smart remarks, blah, blah, blah.

    i would really like to know the benefits to the u.s. and are other countries following suit? the economy is going down the toilet, but the top 2% get to sit and watch (if they want a laugh or two).
  41. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    n storman: Greegings

    ' ... can you tell me what you mean about the Monroe doctrine being demolished by 9/11?Also what does Harding/Hoover/Coolidge have anything to do with Saudi oil?...'

    In 1923 Monroe declared that American continent was off limits to foreign powers, and America had a right to intervene in the neighborhood.

    It was invoked many times. In 1962 Russia tries to infiltrate Cuba with Nukes, an Kennedy took firm action.

    No one attacked continental US since then. 9/11 was the first.

    Harding/Coolidge/Hoover gang Republicans (1920-32), arguably the most corrupt US government until Dubya, put together the US Oil Cartel, helped the House of Saud win over Arabia on guarantees of oil concessions that the Shia who sat on the oil had refused US.

    The Shia sit on 95% of ME oil and 100% of its water. Iraq/Iran is part of the grand Republican plan to create a Shia super oil state (Armed Forces Journal, Col Ralph Peters), answerable to them.
  42. Volatility Stalker from Canada writes: Mr. Abbas says: [You may be right. I suspect this election will be a cliff hanger like JFK-Nixon in 1960. Obama if he wins will do so by the thinnest of margins.] That could very well be. Obama may be able to rise up to the challenge. I am just an observer - I'm not contradicting you - just calling it the way I see it. My point is that the challenge is yet ahead. Mr. Obama has yet to face the kind of scrutiny from the Republican machine that he does not have with Hillary Clinton. She cannot afford to anger her base of support with the kind of questions on his candidacy the Republicans will field. In that regard, his wife's gaffe on finally being 'proud' of America for the first time in her adult life was swallowed with difficulty by the Democrats. They have even set aside the publically aired views of his pastor on America 'getting what it earned' on 911. But the Republicans will see all of this as anti-Americanism with a whiff of racial bias. That is deadly at the voting booth. Republicans are not big on self loathing. It is too easy to classify Obama's problem with white Republicans in terms of racism alone - but there will be lots of media attention on that. White Republicans would have voted for Colin Powell if he had chosen to run. But Colin Powell was labeled as 'white' by the most radical of the Washington civil rights industry. The reason is that Powell would never adopt a retributive, ethnically oriented governing policy that would send white Republicans running the other direction. Those folks are a portion of the Democratic base Obama will have to openly work to distance himself from. Obama has his work cut out for him I reckon. It is signficant that the Republicans want him to be the nominee - not Hillary. If Obama can overcome that challenge and convince all Americans he represents them - he'll have earned the office of president.
  43. james mccain from Canada writes: syed, monroe doctrine 1823. typo no doubt. nothing to do with your post, maybe you can help me with my earlier post.
  44. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    james mccain: Hi

    ' syed, monroe doctrine 1823. typo no doubt' . Yes, thanks. See my 11:03 AM post.

    Volatility Stalker:

    I agree with your 12:41 post. Trials and tribulations await Democrat winner and McCain.

    A lot depends upon how Dubya White House supports McCain by what they do in West Asia.

    Last week after Gen Falllon was let go all were poised for an attack on Iran. Now Pakistan has taken centre-stage because their New Govt. has thrown a monkey wrench in Republican plans. It will take a few months to sort that out.

    Economy should be the main topic of debate, but war is going to dominate. The US public is tired of war and looking for a victory or an honorable exit. McCain is too loudmouth. In 1964 America was in a similar war situation, and Goldwater scared the hell out of the public saying that he will bomb Hanoi. LBJ was already bombing but not saying won. In 1972, Nixon kept mum, won, and then bombed.

    They do not learn from loudmouth Ahmedinejad.
  45. Leaving Sooon from Canada writes: Talk of the US feeding itself... they won't be able to produce all those fruits and veggies in California once they run out of water!
  46. stephen mcintyre from Langley, BC, Canada writes: MORE WAR.

    Americans will be voting yea or nay on just that.
  47. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    james mccain: re 2%

    Athenian Democracy, the rule of the Demos (the top 5%) required slavery, real or virtual.

    In the past US had real slaves, in Europe there was virtual slavery of the Colonies. European failed colonialists e.g. Germany, Italy, and (Spain and Portugal who lost them early) all ended up not Democratic but Fascist.

    After WWII the newly de-colonized still slaved under unfavorable conditions. West's monopoly on technology and capital allowed it to have Middle Class Democracy.

    Now India, China, et al are refusing to slave anymore, Middle Class is dying in the US and in the West.

    West has two choices: abandon Democracy for a more efficient system, or maintain Democracy by instituting virtual internal slavery.

    Latter seems to be happening as the rich become fewer and poor proliferate and drop out of the decision making.

    Barely 22% participated in Ontario elections last year. Tomorrow it will be less.

    Back to the roots. Athens forever.
  48. Dan Green from Palm Beach Gardens Florida, United States writes: Excellent article by American Jeffry Simpson. Yes we have problems. Afraid to call ourselves todays white Anglo saxon empire, somehow superpower was us . What presidential candidates never discuss, because they all agree, The US needs re evalute its hegomy. The US needs to re evalute our association with our allies. The US needs to back off the charade, at the United nations. The Us needs to determine if being the worlds policeman, is in our best interest. The US needs to realize, we are never going to be a popular race. The US needs to shut down, most of its immigration. Those who should come in, in the future, should be highly skilled, or wealthy. We should never ever, get into another war, without explicit instructions to win it. This Iraq and Afganistan, Pakistan issue, is absurd beyound belief. The lessons of fanatics such as the Nazis, and the Japenese, never had surrender on their agenda, unfortunately they both had to be destroyed beyound recognition, befor they surrendered. Why does anyone believe, Islamic radicals, are any different
  49. Volatility Stalker from Canada writes: http://www.barackobama.com/ Nice website. One thing that Americans must feel is that their strength is being dissapated for international interests. First - the privately owned Federal Reserve lured Americans with low interest rates in order to boost housing prices and kick off spending after the market crash. That spending is for global interests - America runs a large trade deficit. Greenspan cheered on the spending - he even openly told Americans that by switching to ajustable rates they would have more money to spend. Now he is 'Sir' Alan - knighted by the Queen of England. Americans have spent oceans of money kick starting economies in Asia and emerging markets - but Americans are left holding the empy housing bag like a spent fuel cell. Second - the Bush administration invaded Iraq to make the Middle East safe for GAFTA. We know about NAFTA - but GAFTA is an association of numerous Middle East countries. Saddam was a threat to the political and economic stability of those countries. So now places like Dubai are growing fat on oil profits. The Bush administration refuses to raise American car and truck fuel standards (the lowest in the world) - and yet lots of American money funds the rich nations of the Middle East and other outright enemies around the world. Meanwhile, Haliburton leaves Texas and moves its headquarters to Dubai. America is spending its strength for foreign interests. Those interests are being served at the expense of American national concerns.
  50. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Leaving Sooon:

    ' .... Talk of the US feeding itself... they won't be able to produce all those fruits and veggies in California once they run out of water!....'

    Agriculture in California or North East was never efficient to start with. Too cold.

    However there is an enormous undeveloped South and South East. It has rain water, flooded land, and warm sun.

    The US can really feed 2 billion at present technology. I suspect tomorrow it will specialize in Agro-business. The world has to be fed.

    Few Canadians realize that our high technology society is a necessity, not an achievement. We need hi tech just to feed ourselves.

    The US can be dumb, ignorant, illiterate, isolationist, whatever, but still feed itself with its borders closed. For them an educated literate science graduate high-tech society is a choice. For us it is a necessity.
  51. paul gill from Canada writes: To 'Charles Smith from United Kingdom' who writes (in part): these people will not let their country and way of life go down - the New Hampshire license plate says it all: 'Live Free or Die'; please note that if there are to be solutions to the home-made messes that Americans have created for themselves, they won't be found in the recitation of bromides, or the quoting of phrases on licence plates. Simpson only scratched the surface of what ails the U.S.; the problems are legion, and the political leadership to tackle those problems is non-existent (it is primary season there-just listen to what the candidates are saying). Unfortunately, your post could just as well have been written by one of the many incurious, ill-informed, and unprepared Americans who have sat back, elected self-serving hacks, and then watched the nightmare unfold. Finally, please note that Gawd doesn't bless American any more then he/she blesses, say Bolivia, Borneo, or Benin, (Irving Berlins' tedious opus notwithstanding). Again, the REAL solutions, to America's very REAL problems lie in an engaging of serious thought, analysis, and action: and not in the prattling on of tired, hollow catch-phrases.
  52. 20 20 from Canada writes: Syed Abbas wrote: 'West has two choices: abandon Democracy for a more efficient system, or maintain Democracy by instituting virtual internal slavery.'

    I will respectfully disagree with you on that line Syed. Your statement presents a false choice, suggesting that the only choices are ditching democracy or having a fake democracy that is really plutocracy in disguise.

    The root of the problem, as Jeanne Farine recognized, is the plutocracy - government by the wealthy elite for the wealthy elite that has subverted the democracy envisaged by the founding fathers of America: government by the people for the people. Today's plutocracy is a corporate one. Look at the Bush administration: it is made up of former and future corporate executives and board directors. Its policies cater to the corporate-political elite. They and the Harper government have instituted a direct seat of power in our supposedly democratic governments for 30 unelected CEOs to make the important long-term decisions while the masses are diverted into arguing each other over insignificant partisan squabbles. If Congress has been ineffective, it is because many of them are also beholden to corporate interests, even if to a lesser extent.
  53. Ken Johnson from ottawa, Canada writes: A well written, well thought out and reflective analysis of what ails our good neighbors to the south. Mr Simpson as usual hits the nail right on the head.
  54. Don Quixote from the deglaciating Banana Belt, Ont., Canada writes: Excellent article by Mr. Simpson.

    And while the 'Goldilocks' economy might be for a long time past, no doubt Americans will raise from the present misery again.

    If they will continue to be a 'Superpower' however, that's another question.
  55. My name isn't Kenny from Canada writes: I agree that Mr. Simpson has hit the mark on the head. My question is, why can't Canadians or maybe just the Canadian political leadership figure this out? With all of the fallout from needlessly partisan, petty ideological one-upsmanship on display in the U.S., why are our Conservative politicians trying so hard to emulate the same style of paranoid leadership that has plagued the U.S. for the last eight years? I really do think that Obama will win the next presidency by a wide margin. He's the kind of leader that only comes along maybe once in a generation. I only hope that he or the spirit that he embodies is enough to overcome America's problems, at least in the short-term. There are many real issues to overcome. This will require honest self-examination. This is not something that Americans are naturally predisposed to.
  56. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    20 20: Hi

    'West has two choices: abandon Democracy or ..... instituting virtual internal slavery.'

    ' .... a false choice, suggesting that the only choices are ditching democracy or having a fake democracy that is really plutocracy in disguise...'

    Athenian Democracy was rule of the Demos few - top 5% of propertied males.

    Middle Class Democracy is more diffused.

    US Plutocracy or Oligarchy? There are kingmakers in rear, but public is still to be won through propaganda or mis-information.

    Decision to take out Saddam was taken before 9/11. To get public on side WMD evidence and Al-Queda link had to be cooked up.

    Douglas Feith, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, and our own David Frum, all Judahists for Israel, obliged. Lying has no downside. People forget.

    Iraq war has already cost more than Viet-Nam, over $3 Trillion,
    and debt is over $ 9 Trillion, but the anti-war protests, a middle class movement is nowhere.

    Middle Class is dead. Athenian Democracy is in.
  57. My name isn't Kenny from Canada writes: Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes: The US can be dumb, ignorant, illiterate, isolationist, whatever, but still feed itself with its borders closed. For them an educated literate science graduate high-tech society is a choice. For us it is a necessity. I am going to skip past all of your other comments that display a stunning level of ignorance and chauvinism and zero-in on something you said that I somewhat agree with. Being a literate, scientifically-based, high-tech society is a choice. But choosing not to be so precludes the possibility of being the world's only superpower. I do believe that people who live in colder climes, like Canadians, are forced to examine their situations and surroundings in an honest way and adjust their patterns of behaviour accordingly for the necessity of survival. Humans are not designed to live in a country like Canada. But it is this necessity to innovate in order to preserve survival that is at the heart of what makes this country great. The threat of life or death at the hands of the elements forces people to assess their situations in an honest manner and act accordingly. If Canadians lived in Saudi Arabia, maybe roaming around illiterate on camel-back from one seasonal water-source to another would be a realistic lifestyle-choice. But we live in Canada. That's one choice we can appreciate living without, thank you. It is this ability (or at least historical ability) to assess our situation honestly and find ways to adapt that allows people to rise above the hand-to-mouth existance that still defines the lives of the majority of the world's populations that live in climates so amenable to wold-domination that you describe. That's where the fundamentalists and fanatics are able to recruit their base. A good recipe for forming terror-groups, not anything to which the majority of humanity would care to aspire to.
  58. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    My name isn't Kenny: Greetings

    ' ... Being a literate, scientifically-based, high-tech society is a choice. But choosing not to be so precludes the possibility of being the world's only superpower....'

    No argument. Everything is ultimately a choice.

    My point was that for the Americans it is really a choice. For us the choice is forced upon us by necessity of survival.

    Yes, we do have a choice to live or die too.
  59. L Harder from Canada writes: Syed, your comments about Canadian food production don't make any sense, nor the US for that matter where water is a limiting factor.

    In both places, the best farmland is under some pressure from urbanization. Had a prof from the US notice the huge change in land use in the States since he was young. Perhaps as energy and food gets more expensive we'll be bulldozing inefficient suburbs to reclaim the land.

    As far as the US is concerned, it is far too early to write its obituary. The last 8 years is perhaps a reminder that there are always limits to what one can do, not everyone thinks the same, and that checks and balances in big business is as important as it is for government. Perhaps the little people will finally start to understand who is working for them and who is trying to scam them. It will take very little to right the ship if pragmatists get in control.
  60. My name isn't Kenny from Canada writes: So, Sayed, let me get this straight. Your point seems to be that America is 'better' or 'greater' or whatever than Canada because Americans, should they choose to do so, would have the ability to forgo their educations and technology and live an illiterate, semi-nomadic/agrarian society and still merely survive and somehow manage a 'balanced diet', while not importing anything from anywhere else in the world. Would you please point out to me a single country or place that has existed in the last 2 thousand or so years that has practiced what you preach which you would describe as 'great'. That would be like other beacons of liberty in the world like sub-Saharan Africa and the nomadic tribes of central Asia, wouldn't it? What is your point again? Why do I waste my time responding to your postings?
  61. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    L Harder: Good Day

    '.... Syed, your comments about Canadian food production don't make any sense, nor the US for that matter where water is a limiting factor... In both places, the best farmland is under some pressure from urbanization.....'

    U Stats (2007)
    Arable land 18.01% of the total area (permanent crops: 0.21% only)
    Forest area can be cleared and brought under cultivation too
    Total renewable water resources: 3,069 cu km

    Stats aside, one can not argue with reality. Much of our fresh produce comes from primarily from the US. Sure, one can survive on Canadian corn and beaf alaone eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but we shall all be heavyweights with clogged arteries and Healthcare will take up 90% of our budget.
  62. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    My name isn't Kenny:

    ' .... So, Sayed, let me get this straight. Your point seems to be...'

    I suggest you read my posts again rather than projecting your own views on them.

    If you want to give your opinion, then do it.
  63. one thinker from Canada writes: Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: Make sure you Canadians fasten your seat belts and hold on for the ride because you're coming down to the depths with us...hahahhaha
    -------------------------------

    Misery loves company doesnt it ?
  64. harry carnie from Northern,B.C, Canada writes: P M excellent post...........makes ALL others redundant (including mine)

    Let me tell you how it is..............you know how much I dislike it, when you are RIGHT, and I HAVE to agree with you.
    Joking ,of course..but I DO agree...have a pleasant week end.
  65. Peter Kells from Bytown, Canada writes: What we are about to witness is the slow death and disintegration of the US Empire. It will probably take another 50 years to complete. Like all dying empires the people of the US will flail about looking for some excuse and a place to lay blame for the decline of their formerly comfortable position.

    As the great elephant flails, we mice in Canada better be prepared for the consequences. If we don't capitalize on our strengths and diversify our trading patterns we too will be caught up in the failings of our southern neighbours. This is no longer a debating point but more a question of our survival as a nation.

    I am optimistic because if there is one common thread that runs through the history of this country it is that we know how to survive in the face of adversity.
  66. Donal Lafferty from Cambridge, United Kingdom writes: Let me get this straight:

    'from Toronto'....'Syed Abbas'...unproductive same sex unions...

    and, wait for it,

    ...'[Osama Bin Laden] made them eat humble'...

    This is some pseudonym being used to tar middle eastern Canadians as fanatics.

    Right?

    lol!
  67. Child of the North in Canada from Canada writes: Never count the Americans out. I am impressed with the dialogue going on on the American blogs - far more intelligent than the likes of the G and M comment pages filled with the same few people like Michael Sharp and Vern trying to sound intelligent but failing in spectacular fashion.

    Americans have great optimism and have that candu attitude. They will find a way out of their troubles. I am impressed with Obama and hope he survives to win the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

    I believe there is a titanic battle going on in the politics of America between the old generation that relies on cronyism and the new generation that wants a new direction and solutions. If McCain or Clinton wins we will see much of the same, but if Obama wins I believe we could see bold initiatives on green technology, less reliance on oil, etc. My biggest fear is that Obama will be assassinated.
  68. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Edmond Dusablon from United States writes: The US is dynamic and Canada is static.'

    Indeed. JS should have also said the US needs to make sure it doesn't lurch for too simplistic solutions for difficult problems.
  69. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: paul gill from Canada - After reading your comments, I'm not sure you have any idea what made America a leading nation. In fact, it is precisely the confused thinking and lack of moral direction expressed by comments such as yours that I believe is contributing most significantly to the problems we see in the US.
  70. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Obama may be offering a 'change' or a 'new' road for America; I'm not convinced America needs a new road that it has never been on in its history; that to me is a little scary; America needs to get back on the road at the root of its success. In my mind Obama seems to represent a sign that the ideological shift in the sixties has finally completed its deed in reducing America to what will become simply an historical footnote.
  71. Republic of Saturn from Canada writes:
    Americans spend too much on military, and what is the economic value for such a overblown defence?

    The modern industrial economy needs a stable, friendly environment. You can easily destory Iraq, but what have you gained from it, to justify the cost?

    German occupied the whole Russian oil field in ww1, but failed to extract 1 drop oil from it. If occupation of a country only gives back you some grain, then the war is waste money in the modern days. A defence budget corresponding to this kind of thinking is obsolete already.
  72. Republic of Saturn from Canada writes:
    The modern industrial base is very, very vulnerable, and almost certainly will be destroyed in a war for a country on defeat side. So even you can defeat a country, pretty sure you will destroy its industry infrastructure, thus make a war highly unprofitable compared with the one in the old days.

    Maintaining a overwheleming military power is no longer a justifiable policy, but rather quite a stupid idea. How much money has been wasted on this by Yankees?
  73. AU GT from Long Beach, United States writes: Holy platitudes Batman! Can we write a 'this author can characterize things but can't form an action plan' article? No, Robin, there isn't time-- this author is drunk with blather and can't be cured.....
  74. David Bingham from Canada writes: Mr. Simpson concludes his article by writing Americans still believe 'in their country and its destiny as a force for good in the world.'

    Welcome to the Wonderful World of Propaganda.

    I wonder how many Americans know anything about the depleted uranium weapons their soldiers are using in Iraq? If you're interested to learn more about these weapons, go to youtube and google video and run a search.

    When an Iraqi woman gives birth to a child with a deformed body, I'm sure the first thing she thinks about is how good the Americans are.

    There are millions and millions of wonderful Americans, however 'good' is not a word I would use to describe its government or foreign policy.

  75. L Harder from Canada writes: Hi Syed:

    There is lots of potential for produce production in Canada. If you can produce award winning wine, you can produce a very diverse diet. In California produce production is subsidized to a huge extent, so essentially the US is paying us to eat their produce. We can't compete now but change circumstances a bit and would be self sufficient very quickly even in winter.

    There have been generations of Canadians for whom California (or BC products was a luxury. My grandmother tells me that they were poor but were never hungry. Believe me when I say they had a much more diverse diet than corn and meat. Dietary restrictions were more cultural and technological than a function of their environment.
  76. Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Two weeks ago Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister of France said 'the magic is over' for the U.S., and that is the most accurate assessment of the U.S.'s future. It doesn't matter who they elect -- Obama, Clinton or McCain -- they won't change the downward trajectory of their nation. The combination of historical inevitability and the damage wrought by Bush has ended any hope of the U.S. resuming its place as the leader of the 'free world', that is, if it ever was.

    Just as Germany will never live down the legacy of Hitler and the Nazi's, the U.S. can never hope to recover their international credibility from the damage Bush has caused: in invading and destroying Iraq, in running prisons where people are held without trial and tortured, in threatening allies and neighbours alike with phrases such as 'you are either for us or against us', by threatening countries such as Iran (yet another country that poses no threat to the U.S.) with military action , etc... etc... . the list is endless.

    And as much as they now wish they could, the American people cannot divorce themselves from the Bush Administration; just like the Germans supported the Nazi's, the Americans voted Bush into office twice (once by Supreme Court vote and next by electoral vote.)

    Coinciding with the damage Bush has caused the US, is the fact that U.S. power is steadily eroding as the rest of the world catches up economically with the U.S. With economic power comes political and military power, so as countries like China start to enjoy the benefits that come with superpower-like economies, America is steadily losing its status as the sole superpower. President Obama can't change this no matter what he does. And he will face a world that does not trust the U.S.

    President Bush was right about something being consigned to the 'dustbin of history', but he was wrong about who would go there, it is in fact the American Empire that will rest there.
  77. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Jim Terrets from Vancouver - It seems to me that if the Bush administration had understood the source of their freedom and liberty, they would have known by instinct that it was not possible to change a country like Iraq into a similar democracy.

    Bottom-line, it seems to me that America has lost touch with what made America great. Can China reach the same stature? Not likely, the mechanisms are not there for long-term stability in China. There is still hope in America, because it best empowers liberty of the individual which will drive any country to the top.
    • Posted 29/03/08 at 6:46 PM EDT |