Replies

I don't want to get too far off topic here, but for example when Trump dumped the Iran deal and reinstituted sanctions, that pretty much put the kibosh on pending multi-billion trade deals already lined up with France and to a lesser extent Germany. But now neither country can easily bypass the sanctions even if they want to since we control the dollar payment system. Not likely Iran is gonna ship them a boatload of gold to complete these transactions.

From what I've gathered there is now major resentment amongst some of the Euros that we can unitarily decide for them their national trade policies - remember they are still honoring the Iran treaty even if we are not, and thus are p*ssed off at losing the biz. There has even been talk amongst them in cooperating in forming an alternative payment system to avoid such things in the future, thereby accelerating the de-dollarisation of trade. What are we gonna do start bombing western Euro countries when that happens? That's what I mean when I suggest it necessary that we be good stewards and maintain goodwill with these countries as being in our own best interest.

Well, my reply would be something along the line of: the dollar reserve system was created in 1944 (Bretton woods). France was defeated/occupied, Germany one year away from complete destruction. To the victor go the spoils, and in retrospect, the USA achieved one of the most dominant victories in recorded history.

So, here were are 75 years later, still enjoying the fruits of the labor of a nation of 150m, 80%+ culturally cohesive, with rigid standards as to discipline, behavior and conduct. Think we can maintain it? Think Germany, France et al (EU) can create a completing network? With what army?

No, we don't have to worry about our Euro 'allies'. France itself is a pipsqueak. I love France, especially Paris. We try and go every year - we were there in March when Xi Ping was visiting. Imagine a nation of 50m+- trying to assert equal standing with one of 1.5b - and no muzzies (or other religions) or distention really allowed.

We are only one failed confrontation away with China to put the dollar reserve system at risk. $trillions upon $trillions of (phantom) wealth are tied up in paper & promises completely dependent on the status quo ie the US can pay. Admittedly with yet more printed money, but as long as the dollar can (actually, must) buy a barrel of oil, who cares.

As you can tell from the tone of my posts - this one and others, I believe China is our biggest threat. Empires come and go, and the reason for that is because the very people who built them no longer could maintain control, either via demographic majority, or institutional processes.

The America people still imagines extant - especially @ FR - simply doesn't exist, especially the one that won all our rewards 75 years ago . All it takes is an open mind, a willingness to look at facts, and an honest evaluation of actual circumstances to see where the trend line is going. That's why I believe we still have to maintain an aggressive posture, if only to keep playing pantomime before the grand revel demonstrates we're a spent force ripe for the plucking.