In the aftermath of World War II, the United States was the only power in the world with nuclear weapons, a UNO card in its pocket, and the power of being rich and not in ruins. (Then again, Canada had the 4th largest navy in the world because all the other navies were sunk and well, dammit, we played a major role in keeping the North Atlantic shipping alive. I wonder what happened to that? Is it still in boxes somewhere in the attic, basement or garage? We could use one of those again some day, I bet. I hope we have the reciepts.)

Since then US power has slowly ebbed. This is to be expected. It is, in fact, a common set piece of history.

With China emerging as the global economic hegemon, the US remains the country with cheap oil thanks to the petro-dollar and also the country with the de facto world currency, and I don't think China has any immediate ambitions to replace the dollar. Whether they want military hegemony, which would mean control of the Pacific at least and possibly the Arctic and Indian Oceans, I do not know. They have been rattling some chains, if not scimitars.

But this trend began in the late 1940s and will continue as America ages and turns a little brown around the edges.

Unless you start treating non-whites with respect, you are liable to hamper your own economic, social, political and cultural potential. Free tacos for everybody with purchase! should be the rule of the day. Or maybe note. It's just an idea. I don't mean waxy fake WASP tacos. I mean the genuine article--spicy, fresh and tasty.

Whether you use genuine carne de burro is up to you. Personally I'd try to sell the Mexicans and others a lot of American beef. And let the wild horses roam free in  the large bits that probably won't have enough water for cattle.
Camels are also an option, as are alpaca. Have you ever have an alpaca wool coat? Lord I loved my Austrian alpaca wool coat. It made me feel like a fils à Papa, BCBG.

But I digress, as is my habit.

Far be it from me to tell you how to run your country. But this is how you should run your country ... embracing the future with generosity, optimism, hope and change, not into the ground.

Even Obama hasn't quite gotten it right but then he's had a pack of baboons pokiing iron poles into the spokes of his wheels from the get-go. Republicans are never going to win if they insist on taking office with their dogmas intact instead of doing what needs to be done.

Rising to power is easy. You just outspend the competition. It is decline which requires careful, wise, liberal and intelligent management and American Conservatives have a record of being totally clueless when it comes to those three desiderata. Four, four desiderata.

Shiat. It's the Spanish Inquisition at the door, isn't it? With stupid men in stupid white hoods.

FTA:  "Dreading lame duck status, Obama declared 2014 a "year of action" and is using executive power to fight climate change, boost the middle class and repair US infrastructure."

He's history's greatest monster.

Cold? Wear a sweater, dumbass.