>I don't disagree that the bases of U.S. economic power have been undermined.
>And in the long run, es ist kaputt, for sure. In the meantime, and until
>some other national or transnational set of actors steps in, we can expect
>it to continue to beat its chest--which will deafen some, irritate others,
>and fuck up some others' trade relations. Etc.
I wish I could remember the exact quote, but sometime back around 1986 or 1987, Wall Street economist Albert Wojnilower said something like: "Americans are a volatile, mercurial, and heavily armed people. Claims on such people should be made and exercised with care."
Doug