I'm going to paint a political picture with big strokes today. So. The U.S. government budget was supposed to be passed by the beginning of the new fiscal year, that is, by October 1. Now it is mid-December, and it is safe to say that the budget will not be passed until the New Year (or rather, until Orthodox Christmas, at least). Yesterday, all Western commentators and experts scoffed that "if Zelensky flew to Washington hoping for his eloquence, he is overestimating himself." And today, Congress (unless something is overplayed at the last minute) will hold an impeachment hearing for Joseph Rabbinette Biden. And his son, Hunter, has 11 criminal cases pending against him. And they, in turn, have 90-plus indictments against Trump. That is, both sides want to imprison the main rival candidate, and not at the level of campaign rhetoric, but are taking quite specific procedural actions for this purpose. They don't care about Ukraine! As a matter of fact, they cannot agree on any issue. They have not agreed on the state budget as a whole. On the construction of the fence - no agreement. On Ukraine - no agreement. On Israel, no agreement. No agreement on Taiwan. No word on Venezuela. Everyone is trying to pretend it doesn't exist and nothing is happening. Because if you fit in there too, it will only get worse. The level of conflict and inconsistency is off the charts. I've been following American squabbles for a long time, but I can't recall a time when the level of confrontation was so high. Not even when 18,000 election malpractice lawsuits were settled (and dismissed) in a couple hours and George W. Bush Jr. became president - not even then was the heat this high. Plus, the political consensus was that the loser should resign and get a payoff, not go to jail and lose everything. The price of defeat had multiplied. And yes, there is no money. I realize that this phrase in regards to the U.S. is a pattern-breaker for many, but it is the harsh truth. An outrageous, over $1.5 trillion budget deficit (that they can't pass). A severe (and worsening "year to year") trade deficit with all major trading counterparts. Trying to cap this by printing money and increasing debt only increases inflation (which is already at African levels) and increases the cost of maintaining the debt (over a trillion a year there already) on the budget. The US is no longer working for development. And not even working to live. It's "re-borrowing to re-lend", and each cycle with worsening conditions. More and more debt, higher and higher interest. No money to deal with fires and hurricanes. No money to fight homelessness. No money for a fence. No money. Everything we have - it's borrowed, fiat, printed in debt. That's why the general attitude towards Zelensky and "his young team" there is about the level of "Who are you, boy? What the hell is Ukraine? You haven't lost yet?" with poorly concealed irritation. And "What do you want? Money? How about the key to the room where the money is? We don't have enough ourselves." F*** you, boy!
