A Danish friend who watched the debate from Copenhagen sent me this e-mail last night. He was a little groggy–it was 5 a.m. his time–but I figured it was worth sharing:
[A]mericans don’t understand that you’re a part of a global economy and society. The whole world is struggling with financial problems mainly because of the US-problems. Still, both candidates make a huge effort in giving the voters economic guarantees they probably won’t be able to fulfill due to…eh…oh yes: The development in the rest of the world!
It’s time for America to realize that your role as world leader is shrinking way faster than you think. Asian countries are gaining ground fast, and if you guys don’t start to adapt to that fact soon, in few years you’ll wake up to the same situation that Europe started to adapt to few years ago–but still haven’t accepted either.
For example: Americans can’t produce cars in few years, because others will do it cheaper–so start educating the workforce or an even larger number will have to get in line for their welfare check. Americans will–also in four years–spend huge amounts of money (they said 700 billions…?) on Saudi oil, because you guys been sleeping for far too long and not accepting global agreements that promote alternative energy or invest in other energysources to heat your houses or save energyconsumption.
The world is developing in a less America-oriented way and has started shopping elsewhere. Maybe your politicians and lawmakers should start realizing that fact, before you make promises that everybody with the slightest interest in other countries and cultures knows you’ll never be able to keep.
What do I say to that? Hej is what I say to that.