The Post American World and the 2008 Election

Most undoubtedly the 2008 will go down as probably one of the most tumultuous years in American History. A faltering economy, a war, to this day, with no real end in site, and a government which hasn’t seen this many of its own citizens losing faith in the system in almost two generations. Many Americans, myself included have grown weary of a do nothing congress, 8 years of failed policies, corruption, and fear of course of a very bleak future of the United States.

The “Financial Crisis of 2008” has not only affected America, but has now spread through most of Western Europe, Russian, and much of the Eastern world. China, Japan, and Singapore now feel the effects of a world trying to function without credit. Ben Bernanke stating that the outlook of the economy in the next year looks bleak doesn’t help much in the stock market with the Dow Jones losing nearly 30% of its value in one week alone. While the IMF claims with proper action the threat of another global depression, much like what was seen in the 1930s, is minimal, the shear thought of it scared investors to their very bones. The U.S.A. now has a deficit fast approaching 10 trillion dollars. On a GDP of 13.7 trillion, 10 trillion is a scary number. 65% of the GDP now pays the debt alone and more than 15% of that is just to pay off the interest. Agreed, compared to most nations of Western Europe or even Japan where 126% of the GDP pays off the debt, the US is in a better position than most but with a dollar now faltering in the money markets, 65% is a very unsettling number. While not reaching that stage yet, we have most assuredly reached the final chapter in the baby boomer generation of economics. What lies in store for myself and the rest of Generation X remains to be seen. As the previous generation begins to age and retire, such systems as Medicare and Social Security will be strained, and the budget will soon be thrown into the red even further. Fears lie of course on who in the end will have to pay this debt. More so, will college be affordable for my children and will Medicare (or some form of Universal Health Care – god willing) be available for me when I reach those golden ages?

On the world stage, American has never seen its self rather this unpopular, well really ever. The war continues to drag on with Americas suffering the brunt of it. To date, 4180 deaths have occurred on this country’s armed forces since the war began. I have always supported the troops and have always stated, in a real war that threatens the very core of this country, I would be one of the first to enlist to fight for it. I for one however believe it is time to end this conflict. It has lasted longer than Vietnam or even US involvement in WWII now. Our troops do not deserve this. This country sadly is seen rather in disgust lately. Much of Europe and parts of Asia have lost faith in this country and its ability to continue peace across the globe. While still the epitome around the world, many are starting to see the cracks in the economy and an immigration policy and restricts more than opens. Many find the government was a war hawk, looking for conflicts rather than preventing them. Of course, many like myself, have seen the prestige of the Presidency falter rather than glow with Bush’s numbers at there lowest for any president.

I have faith this country. I always have had faith. Americans, while inherently lazy and of course waiting till it is as bad as it gets, always fixes the problems and fast for that matter. This country of course has seen its fair share of struggles. Two World Wars, A Great Depression, an unjust and unpopular war (Vietnam) and decades of strife in terms of Civil Rights and Woman’s Suffrage and in each, the better has always triumphed. We will get through this. Much of the fear now lies of course in the fact we have now reached a tipping point it what is now the post American World. Instead of the US dominating the global markets we now see a plethora of markets now entering the world stage. The EU, China, and India now hold nominal GDPs that only continue to grow. Militarily, many scholars now see the US much like the Roman or British Empire now at its waning period. While no eminent collapse of US society will happen fear of a US dominated world no longer existing scares many.

The time for change has come. I myself first believe that the US should rather embrace these growing nations rather than blame them of its problems or shun them away. Most if not all have embraced in some form or another of US capitalism and democracy. This country has shown the path and should continue in some form or another to help lead them down it. This country needs to find a way to end this conflict in the Middle East peacefully and triumphantly as soon as possible. Most absolutely of course, this government needs to reinvest itself back into its people. Highways, trains, and air travel need a major overhaul. Energy is old and antiquated and needs to be up dated. Like many of us believe, the age of energy independence is overdue. If America works together rather blame each other, this country can still show the world the way and perhaps the very ideology of America being “the last great hope” will continue.