It was a vital part of the process that has allowed the US to become the global authority. We have conquered the hill. We are at the top daring the rest of the children to try to take it from us. They're trying, too. I think they are under the impression that with great power comes great responsibility (thank you Stan Lee) and that perhaps a truly great nation should transcend its childish ways and become something greater than the sand box. Instead, they see us clinging to our dogma of fear and telling others to 'bring it on'. We may not be capable of letting go, either. Our society is fear based (competition is fear based) and fear clings to anything that seems to work. Fear cannot let go. That means that we cannot adapt. If we do not adapt, we are going to lose all this power and authority that we desire so strongly. We must embrace cooperation or the sky will fall. Really.
