Since when does China have stricter environmental policies than the United States? They seem to be adopting the types of policies we have abandoned, because they see where the current path leads.
I think most of the rest of the world looked up to and admired the United States as a leader for a long time. Since the end of World War II, they have treated us with defference because, honestly, without the US, the Axis Powers might have won.
In those decades since, however, we took advantage and threw our weight around in ever more unpleasant ways, and we did not learn a few valuable lessons along the way. The world began to look askance and to see us as self-centered asses, willing to engage in or excuse all kinds of behaviors at home and abroad simply for material gain.
Now that shine seems to be wearing off even more rapidly because of Donald Trump. I think much of the rest of the world thinks, wrongly, that America is like Donald Trump – we must be like him if we elected him president and our Congress does nothing to stop him from carrying out his agenda – and have decided to do their best at making a go of it without us, looking for or assuming new leadership as they do.
In those decades since, however, we took advantage and threw our weight around in ever more unpleasant ways, and we did not learn a few valuable lessons along the way. The world began to look askance and to see us as self-centered asses, willing to engage in or excuse all kinds of behaviors at home and abroad simply for material gain.
Now that shine seems to be wearing off even more rapidly because of Donald Trump. I think much of the rest of the world thinks, wrongly, that America is like Donald Trump – we must be like him if we elected him president and our Congress does nothing to stop him from carrying out his agenda – and have decided to do their best at making a go of it without us, looking for or assuming new leadership as they do.
China is already stepping up to fill that gap. They are doing things and taking steps that American legislators and regulators used to do, because they see where we’re headed as a planet.
What an odd twist. How long till we’re #2 (or #3, or #10)? Is this what MAGA means?
Maybe it’s Modern America Grows Anachronistic.
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