(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . We're About to See How the World Handles a Bully [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-12-29 If I had to bet, I’d say that in the end the United States isn’t going to take over the Panama Canal. Just like I don’t think we’re going to annex Canada, buy Greenland, or any other hairbrained idea coming from four-time indicted, twice impeached, sexual assaulter, tax fraudster, insurrectionist leader, convicted felon, president-elect Donald Trump. Oh, I think he’d like to do all those things and even more aggressive actions. He might very well try, but you’re dealing with other sovereign nations here and, as Trump’s hero/boss/puppet master Vladimir Putin has found out, it’s not always so easy to just roll in and take what you want from another country. Actually, I’m more concerned about Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on the European Union if it doesn’t close its trade advantage with us by buying large amounts of oil and gas (you go fossil fuel industry). As we all know, tariffs on imports from other countries are paid by the American companies receiving the goods and will probably be passed on to consumers here in the form of higher prices. They also invite retaliatory action by the exporting countries. In addition to the economic impact, like Trump’s attacks on NATO, that kind of action would lead to straining relationships with our (for now) allies. How far do we want to push that envelope? We’ll see how that goes. Another thing we’re going to see is how the rest of the world reacts to this belligerent, thug-like, bully known as the United States of America. How far will we go in this “America First” way of doing things in a world that has seen growing interdependence between the various nations? What we know about bullies is that they’ll push you as far as you let them. Of course, that’s easy to say and harder to do something about it when you’re facing a bigger, stronger entity – either among humans or countries. The bully is counting on you to back down, but I think most countries aren’t going to see that as a viable option in dealing with a U.S. president trying to establish dominance through intimidation. These countries have their own interests to protect and citizens who aren’t going to want to continue to support elected officials who cower to the United States. Take the case of Canada. When Trump announced tariffs on that country and Mexico, our two neighbors and long-time allies, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with him. He probably came across to some as submitting to the president-elect. Not a good look. Is that what Canadians want to see? And what did he get out of it? Trump has been taunting Canada and Trudeau in some of his Truth Social posts. When a bully senses weakness, he pounces. I realize much of what Trump says is the bluster of a weak, addled mind. A pathetically insecure man desperate to prove the manhood he obviously doesn’t possess. But he is the president of the United States, so people notice and countries hang on every word. To be honest with you, I hope that other countries put us in our place every time we get out of line. I’d love to hear some world leader say he or she isn’t worried about the babbling of the whiny little bitch in the White House. It will be especially great to hear women leaders go after him because we know he doesn’t deal well with strong women who embarrass him. I have a feeling Trump is about to find out that many world leaders have stronger spines than the gutless Republicans he’s been mopping the floor with for eight years. At least I hope that’s the case. So, it will be an interesting ride, to see how far we stray from the values this country was founded on. To observe how much damage is done to the critical alliances that we’ve developed over the years. To take note of the personal hardships and tragedies that may come out of the decisions of a corrupt, unfit president and the Republican Party that lies prostrate before him. Here's hoping we and our country make it to the other side. *** Thank you for reading my post. You can see my other writings on my blog: Musings of a Nobody. Please share and subscribe for free via email on its home page. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/12/29/2293975/-We-re-About-to-See-How-the-World-Handles-a-Bully?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/