@BillRM,
I could write the same swan-song about my Town Amsterdam and Holland in the 16th and 17th Century. We were supreme rulers of the Oceans, our Navy outnumbred the English, French and Spanish navies combined. We had the very first stock-exchange in the world, or colonies were privately held by commercial compagnies. Bankers and traders governed the city which had freedom of religion. We were a laissez-faire economy avant la lettre...
The system corrupted. Investments were not made but nice estates were build instead. Capital was invested in emerging countries and the entrepeneurs became pensioners. The country weakened quickly and in 1804 we became a French Kindom.
Futhermore: US was symbolic in it's presence during Great War; during the second World War US joint when attacked herself. Before that Europe paid full price for her arms. It was self-motivated because of geo-political reasons, not to "save" Europe. A third European intervention I can't think of, or it must have been bombing the Chinese ambassy in Belgrado.
Concerning human rights U are also not well informed. In Europe we have a council, independent from the governments, who decide in cases a national judge refers to them. The counsil is more pan-european then the EC and includes Russia, Georgia, Norway and other non-EC countries.
Like in Holland 200 Years ago, US has to shape up. Look at Holland, now a stupid Kingdom instead of the Republiek der Verenigde Nederlanden !
