What are the important issues facing the US over the next 4-6 years?

[Dan G]

Our 'damaged' reputation is really nothing more than a desire of many Europeans to reassert themselves as dominate in world politics. As such, there really isn't anything to repair.

While the cold war was going on, Europe had a use for the US. They didn't need to maintain large militaries to defend against the threat of the Big Red dancing Bear, so they could afford to spend their money elsewhere, while the US took care of their defense.

When the cold war ended, Europe decided it had no further use for the US, and hoped it would simply decline and allow Europe to once again dominate the world stage politically. As the US hasn't abligingly and obediently done so, Europe declares that it's 'reputation needs repairing'...Translation: The US isn't obediently going back in it's box, and is standing in Europes way, and the only way for it to regain it's reputation with the world (translation: Europe) is to do so.

The other thing that is standing in Europes way, however, is that the British AND the French both see themselves as the natural heads of the EU.....and lets not forget Germany, though they all agree the US needs to get back in it's box and out of their way.

What those Europeans who see Americans as merely jingoistic pawns of their governments, who obediantely spout the party line fail to realize, however, is that they, themselves, are merely parroting the jingoistic positions of their own governments, who desire to see the US begin to decline to more manageable levels for their own strategic interests and aims. Realpolitik masquerading as ethical humanitarian concerns.

That is a good one to debate. Trouble is I can't argue with it much.

Can you please do something about the French though, it is at least 50% of the reason the UK went to Iraq with you...

 

[Edmund BlackAdder]

Spray France with soapy water and drive the French into the sea?

(Sorry, off topic, I know)

 

[sgtmac_46]

That is a good one to debate. Trouble is I can't argue with it much.

Can you please do something about the French though, it is at least 50% of the reason the UK went to Iraq with you...

Not that I disagree with you, but isn't it interesting the continuing tension between the UK and France? That is one of the main reasons that the UK continues to align itself more with the US, than the main of Europe. Expect that tension to build in the foreseeable future, as France continues to try to take the helm of the EU.

 

[Marginal]

Venezuala and Bolivia to start. Both are in the process of becoming socialist states and in the case of Venezuala, a dictatorship to boot. Leaders of both countries are best buddies with Castro. Chavez backed the winner in Bolivia and is spreading money around to radical elements in South America. He's not our friend and we get 5% of our oil from Venezuala.

It's not brewing, it's already here.

That was pretty much my point. OTOH, I don't beleive this is a recent problem, or one magnified by leftist leaning dictators vs the old order that featured death squads and mass executions at soccer stadiums etc.

 

[jdinca]

That was pretty much my point. OTOH, I don't beleive this is a recent problem, or one magnified by leftist leaning dictators vs the old order that featured death squads and mass executions at soccer stadiums etc.

I agree. It's on the forefront because of Chavez and the potential oil supply threat. Automatic front page news.

 

[shesulsa]

Any other issues we can list, folks?

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Was education listed?

 

[Martial Tucker]

Yes, by moi......post #3

 

[Xequat]

Maybe including health education with school would help with learning ability and health care. Hey, I got it...make martial arts required by all students! That should be your number 1 issue, definitely...not enough martial arts.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

Any other issues we can list, folks?

1. Lack of Appropriate Parenting (abuse, neglect, failure to set limits and enforce them, etc.).
2. Mental Health Issues (overprescription of medication, severely mentally ill people forced from hospitals and onto the streets due to lack of coverage, possible effects of toxins from modern life causing or contributing to the increase in mental illness in society, etc.)