Strong America v. Weak America: Which is better for our international image?
Obama would have us believe that increased humility and emphasis on policies like climate change have increased America's world standing during his
administration. The President believes, and has said so numerous times, that American arrogance and prosperity leads would-be-allies to distrust and
distance themselves from us. But a recent report seems to show that the Chinese think exactly the opposite.
One of China's premier academics has found that Chinese distrust toward America has actually increased since 2008. Why? Because despite what Obama
will be telling you about the economy from now until November, China sees an America in decline. They view our high unemployment, slow GDP growth and
rising prices as signs of weakness - the type of weakness that would lead a country like the United States to use dirty tricks and try to hold their
rivals' progress back.
Climate change agreements, which China distrusts for economic reasons, are one example of policies pushed by Obama that are considered thinly veiled
attempts by America to stall China's rising incomes, growth and standard of living. In short, Chinese leaders (who are obviously unrestricted by the
American liberal-media's echo-chamber) are free to state the truths that American conservatives have been preaching since the 1980s.
A Chinese leadership, experiencing first hand the robust growth that freer markets provide, is growing cold on an increasingly socialist, economically
floundering American society that wishes to impose its cap-and-trade, carbon-tax, job-killing policies internationally through organizations like the
UN. Under any other President's administration you would think the names of the countries had been reversed. This would make great satire, if it
wasn't so painfully true.
The United States is arguably more humble under Obama and we are certainly less prosperous. So how has this helped us fare with the nations who will
matter in the 21st Century? Not very well at all.
But this distrust means more than a political point. It means cooperation on regional issues in North Korea, the Middle East and Africa will be even
more difficult. It means that direct hostilities (cold or hot) between the U.S. and China are more likely. Most of all it means that what could amount
to a great, stability and peace bringing partnership in this century might forever remain a dream.
In a realist's world where strength is respected and weakness breeds suspicion, China's rise and America's decline is more than just a patriotic,
fist-pumping, red-meat issue my friends.
Source:
news.asiaone.com...edit on 20-4-2012 by snusfanatic because: (no reason
given)
edit on 20-4-2012 by snusfanatic because: (no reason given)