"America" as some kind of metaconcept that's not about Americans? I suppose a collectivist might wrap his head around something like that. I'm having some trouble with it myself. What the hell is America and its government about if not the prosperity and safety of Americans? As far as I know, there is no "America" outside of its people and their history, culture and ideals. If everybody moved to Mars, where's "America?"

If you think that the respect of the rest of the world has a material impact on our national fortunes--prospects for cooperation and agreement with our national goals and self-interest--then America is certainly not as well off as it was eight years ago.

I see. The liberal inferiority complex about the Rest of the World.

"Respect" is not the same thing as having people like you, or winning popularity polls. People like clowns, Robert. They like fools and dupes, and anyone else likely to do whatever they want. The guy who buys all the rounds and wears the lampshade is liked. But respected?

If you're standing up for the interests of the U.S. against a lot of the kind of nations and leaders that are out there, you're not going to be liked that much. As I pointed out in another post, if you are negotiating with a hostile opponent, and he's smiling and waving as you leave, then you're probably leaving without your pants.

I bet these people will like Obama if he becomes president. There'll be lots of photos of Obama sitting in those diplomacy chairs on opposite sides of that table with the fancy lamp. Lots of smiles, and lots of handshakes. Obama will never do anything that would make the leaders of Europe or Syria or Iran or anyone else angry. The Pew international polls on America will hit the high 90s as he gives away the store.

The cost of paying--or more accurately, borrowing to pay--for Bush's foolish war in Iraq is wreaking havoc on the finances of the Federal government--pricetag now estimated at three $trillion--which is to say that America's finances are on the ropes.

The three trillion number is crap. And every economist you care to name will tell you that social programs/entitlements--which dwarf the cost of the Iraq war and are the shining foundation of the Democratic ideal--are what's going to kill the U.S. economy over the next few decades.

Democratic socialist ideas are what's wiping us out. If the Democrats succeed in nationalizing health care, the budgets will implode like a collapsing star. The numbers are unassailable. Own it, for once, instead of just wiping it out of your mind and repeating the same stupid "Iraq is breaking the bank" meme like a busted record.