Memorial day...

[paxamericana]

6 minutes ago, John Stone said:

U.S. is a diminished nation

Uh huh. That’s your premise? Well keep on going, the US doesn’t age like the rest of the world. This decline is happening at a much higher rate to the world than America. Which is why you get Trump.

10 minutes ago, John Stone said:

US. could very easily become isolated on the World stage. 

Don’t see it that way, we’re the only game left. Everyone else aged out. That’s the point. Why do you think investment in America is skyrocketing. You need more work in the decline theory there. Sure other countries may not like America but they’re in a much rougher position and is now, more dependent on American energy as well as market access. I suggest you do some homework.

[John Stone]

2 hours ago, paxamericana said:

Uh huh. That’s your premise? Well keep on going, the US doesn’t age like the rest of the world. This decline is happening at a much higher rate to the world than America. Which is why you get Trump.

Don’t see it that way, we’re the only game left. Everyone else aged out. That’s the point. Why do you think investment in America is skyrocketing. You need more work in the decline theory there. Sure other countries may not like America but they’re in a much rougher position and is now, more dependent on American energy as well as market access. I suggest you do some homework.

An unusual debate because I hope u correct. 

The thing is, u need to differentiate between 'Wall Street' and 'Main Street'?

Main Street represents the real economy, while Wall Street represents the financial markets?

Main Street describes the everyday economy of any country, including small enterprises and businesses, local communities, and individual consumers?

Wall street refers to the area that houses huge financial institutions, stock exchanges and investment banks in the country. 

For the typical consumer, there's little to no gain - they are worse off today than they were a year ago The US economy is based on consumerism - buying 'stuff' - and it depends on the typical  consumer have ever-more discretionary spending. 

Wall Street IS booming - but that has a lot to do with firms increasingly relying on mergers and acquisitions to drive growth.

While shareholders enjoy richer returns, American households are worse off? 

'Bone Spurs' aka BS, is totally disconnected from the average US citizen. 

 

[John Johnston]

On 6/3/2026 at 8:32 AM, paxamericana said:

Uh huh. That’s your premise? Well keep on going, the US doesn’t age like the rest of the world. This decline is happening at a much higher rate to the world than America. Which is why you get Trump.

Don’t see it that way, we’re the only game left. Everyone else aged out. That’s the point. Why do you think investment in America is skyrocketing. You need more work in the decline theory there. Sure other countries may not like America but they’re in a much rougher position and is now, more dependent on American energy as well as market access. I suggest you do some homework.

The U.S. has never been more financially exposed heading into a potential economic crisis. With the national debt now equal to 100% of the country’s entire economic output—a level not seen since World War II—a prominent nonpartisan think tank is sounding the alarm: The country is flying blind into its next emergency, and the consequences for ordinary Americans could be severe.

[paxamericana]

2 hours ago, John Johnston said:

The U.S. has never been more financially exposed heading into a potential economic crisis.

World currency reserve. Means we can print Monopoly money.

2 hours ago, John Johnston said:

The country is flying blind into its next emergency, and the consequences for ordinary Americans could be severe.

Speculation 

[John Stone]

Indeed, the dollar makes up 58 percent of foreign exchange reserves . far ahead of the euro at 21 or the yen at 6, pound at 5 

Anyone would applaud how  strategically it was done, 

Strategic planning is needed to retain the dollar as #1. currency reserve. 

The 'Petroleum Agreement' over 50 years ago was absolute genius. 

[paxamericana]

12 minutes ago, John Stone said:

The 'Petroleum Agreement' over 50 years ago was absolute genius. 

It still is; we're simply modifying the plan. Removing Russian and Middle Eastern oil production from the equation actually increases reliance on American output. The broader strategy was to pursue green energy domestically — cutting demand at home while ramping up oil production for export — thereby reinforcing dependence on the petrodollar. Stable genius at work.

Edited 17 hours ago by paxamericana

[John Stone]

1 minute ago, paxamericana said:

Still is, we're just modifying the plan. See taking out Russian and Middle east oil production actually boost reliance on American oil production and the over all plan was to go "green" and cut domestic demand while boosting oil production for export simultaneously boosting dependence on the petrol dollar. Stable genius at work.

Indeed. 

But ...................Saudi Arabia, a cornerstone of the original agreement, no longer exclusively accepts US dollars for its oil sales. 

The Iran-US war could have a profound effect. 

The Gulf region security architecture  rested on a traditional oil-for-security arrangement - this arrangement was maintained by a network of US military bases and hardware. 

For decades (Petrodollar) the Gulf's economic model thrived on a perception of stability. 

China's economic footprint has exploded in the Gulf. 

China's strategy is to stand out as the logical partner in the Gulf region for negotiating stability amongst the Gulf states. 

Trump has been an absolute disaster in this respect.

'......... blow up Oman' / Trump......... WTF! 

[paxamericana]

33 minutes ago, John Stone said:

blow up Oman' / Trump......... WTF! 

If we can’t have it, no one can. 

[John Stone]

4 minutes ago, paxamericana said:

If we can’t have it, no one can. 

.............. yeah,  The  Gulf war has proven it is not strategic. 😁

[paxamericana]

1 minute ago, John Stone said:

.............. yeah,  The  Gulf war has proven it is not strategic. 😁

It is strategic, just not for American interests any longer, ever since we became a net oil exporter. You know who will be taking over in the not too distant future? India. Yes they will be the primary customer for Middle East oil.

Edited 16 hours ago by paxamericana

[John Stone]

5 minutes ago, paxamericana said:

It is strategic, just not for American interests any longer, ever since we became a net oil exporter. You know who will be taking over in the not too distant future? India. Yes they will be the primary customer for Middle East oil.

It is not about customer .......... the Iran (fk up) underlined stability?

The US is a net exporter ........... but crude is a world commodity and broadly divided into heavier or lighter crude. 

Heavy oil production (US) is extremely limited - ergo a reliance on imports. 

Retooling  costs would be absolutely prohibitive. 

 

[paxamericana]

19 minutes ago, John Stone said:

Retooling  costs would be absolutely prohibitive. 

 

No it won’t, it’s cheaper actually. Light crude is the easiest to refine. A heavy oil refinery just wouldn’t use its its Coker capacity. Meaning under utilized capacity not inability to.

Edited 16 hours ago by paxamericana

[John Stone]

2 hours ago, paxamericana said:

No it won’t, it’s cheaper actually. Light crude is the easiest to refine. A heavy oil refinery just wouldn’t use its its Coker capacity. Meaning under utilized capacity not inability to.

Many experts would disagree. 

Fairly safe to say the decision not to upgrade US refineries to maximize domestic oil use is influenced by many factor alone or in combination. 

Infrastructure limitations, higher upgrade costs, market dynamics (global), trade considerations (geo politics), domestic regulatory restriction on upgrades, and industry adaptation

All factors that determine whether a conversion makes financial sense. 

Dare I say Trump knows absolutely nothing about the oil industry ......... he is compulsive and routinely gets ahead of his skiis. 

The oil industry will do what is financially advantageous to its financial backers.......... thank GAWD! 

Somewhat akin to the FED ......... thank GAWD! 

Not what some ignorant, one-term wonder, that uses political argument over reason wants them to do.  

[paxamericana]

2 hours ago, John Stone said:

Not what some ignorant, one-term wonder, that uses political argument over reason wants them to do.  

GREATEST PRESIDENTIAL PRESIDENT EVER!