America will no longer be magical...

...or so says the French Foreign Minister. He argues that Bush has fucked the country beyond any recognizable repair.

Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister of France and a longtime humanitarian, diplomatic and political activist on the international scene, says that whoever succeeds President George W. Bush may restore something of the United States' battered image and standing overseas, but that "the magic is over." (Click here for more)

I agree with his sentiments, and furthermore, I hope he is right. Let us cut back on our frivolous spending, like defending Europe so that they can have just social policies while we go into debt and drive toward certain bankruptcy. Let China do it. I love France, and have always found the French to be warm and passionate people. But to be honest, I would rather spend less on defense here and have our country be first rate then to spend such an exorbitant amount defending Europe.

What is the advantage of being on top of the global order? It is a lot of responsibility, and most Americans hate responsibility.