>>>>http://www.marketwatch.com/story/imf-bombshell-age-of-america-about-to-end-2011-04-25?pagenumber=1
>>>
>>>Yawn. I bitch and moan about some of the directions we have taken but we remain one of the greatest nations the world has ever seen. We are two nations trying to share one hat. We'll deal with it.
>>
>>Uhmm... Scary prospect.
>>
>>From the article;
>>The last time the world’s dominant hegemon lost its ability to run things singlehandedly was early in the past century. That’s when the U.S. and Germany surpassed Great Britain. It didn’t turn out well.
>
>Not quite the same now.There's no obvious replacement powers. Everyone keeps saying China but they should take a look at comparative military spending first. The Chinese have little in the way of deep water navy or advanced aircraft. They have a long way to go before they can rival the USA.

China is in no way ready to be THE world power. Obviously they have come on strong but they are going through growing pains like some movie special effect. The economic engine is roaring but it doesn't trickle down through Chinese society. A couple of years ago I talked with Norm Weil, who some of you may remember from the old Compuserve FoxForum. He owns a textile business and has spent significant time in China in recent years, since that is where the business is based now. He said Shanghai makes NYC look like a cow town. That was quite an extraordinary remark coming from Norm, who is right up there with Donald Trump in New York boosterism. But that's the big cities. Rural China is still several centuries in the past. They don't seem to take any interest in the outside world other than their parochial interests. They are not cultural leaders. They do not organize international coalitions.

Only three days until the wedding. Are you managing to contain your excitement? (Actually I like Kate, she seems very cool).