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For quite some time now, much of the world has thought that America is out of control. Its war and its unwillingness to cooperate with the rest of the world on the environment. Or anything else, for that matter. Its paranoia and human rights violations. Its blatant disregard for the rule of law. Its religious fanaticism.

The country is demented. It’s running amok and wreaking havoc in the world.

It’s the American government, of course, that should be held responsible. But the majority of the population which, whether by volition or omission, handed this government the reins, is just as much to blame. I have no sympathy for these people. They’re getting what they deserve. For the 25% or so of you who think and care and try, my heart goes out to you.

Now the economic crisis resulting from American corporate greed is threatening the rest of the world as well. America is a disease that needs to be contained. Quarantined. A drunk driver who needs to be tossed in the drunk tank and made to sleep it off. A bully who needs to be taken down a notch or two.

Sorry about the metaphor frenzy.

About a year ago I asked Vincent (rhetorically) why the hell the rest of the world didn’t just unite and impose sanctions on the wayward giant to get it to toe the line. Of course, I knew why. America is rich and powerful. The rest of the world needs America. Or it thinks it does.

But the wind is changing. This week, the American economy ceased to be the strongest in the world. Guess whose turn it is to be on top: the Euro Zone.

And I, for one, am glad to see that Europe immediately put its money where its mouth is. Yesterday, the European Transport Commission told the US that its airlines would have to start paying carbon offset fees or the EU would curb flights to Europe by US carriers. Not that Americans can afford European vacations with the dollar looking more and more like the peso with every passing day… Also yesterday, European leaders threatened the US and China with trade sanctions if they didn’t get their environmental act together.

It’s about damn time.

Very recently, France expanded the region where Champagne can be produced to meet demand. Who, you ask, is sucking up all that bubbly? “Newly affluent consumers” in Asia and Russia.

Face it America. You’re not the most popular girl in school anymore. It’s time to get humble.