The US does spend .30 cents on the tax dollar in equipping itself with defenses that no country even can be bothered doing. Example - a load of metal that flies to allegedly oppose some "foe" who has another "state of the art" aircraft like this. The trouble is, no nation has this type of weapon - so what's the point?
The US people work harder and longer hours than any other western nation. I suppose they must to support the "defense expenditure" :-)
The US is also an extemely immature country. Actions of all kinds are started and no thought to the implications thereafter. The current Iraqi "war" is a typical example. "Where do you want to go today? Iraq? OK.. let's roll!" Then a declaration "OK.. we've done that - what's next?" This happens, not just related to "wars", but in many facets of decision making.
The US is also governed on the basis of "fear" - it has been like this with "demons" for decades. Tell the masses someone is an "enemy", pump up the "anti" up and people believe it. "Unpatriotic" is the allegation if they don't. (Simple example is "Freedom Fries" over that other enemy, the French *lol*) I've heard, "My country right or wrong" - I've never ever heard such a load of crap from anyone in any other nation. It's the doctrine that usually only comes from "real terrorists" and fanatics.
The purpose of the fear factor is "meaningful" in that it justifies a lot when the occasion arises and on the economic front is useful, since stuff like "wars" are good for a failing economy. In fact Brown Brothers/Bush family have known for decades "war business is good business" - they even helped "tool up" the Third Reich for the "war business".
Further examples of the immaturity or adolescent behavior is in "foreign policy". A fair number of other nations have screwed up with relationships - but none have managed to achieve the rate of the US. On Monday, X is an "ally" - by Thursday, X is the devil incarnate and on some "terrorist list" or due for "sanctions". That conduct gives the word "fickle" a bad name :-)
There is also a serious "communication" problem with the US and .. almost nada comprehension of *any* other nation. I've seen this *so* often while in the US - there is *no clue* about anything outside the state some people live in - nevermind knowing about any country - or even where it is.
Time will tell, but I have this nasty feeling there is a watershed being reached over the US and several other nations have started subtle "adjustments" already - clearly with the intention of "hand washing" and knowing there will be yet another "problem" in future with the adolescent kid on the block.
Finally *g*... There is another "problem" from the silly behavior in that the US as now created far more "real enemies" than ever existed before. There is a price for this and hell knows what path that may lead.
Otherwise... I kinda like the place!!!
But I sure will avoid even "on route" flights there till there is some sense.