American popularity in the world

It is said (you can provide your own examples) that America's popularity in the world has plummeted --- probably due to the war in Iraq. That's too bad. But I don't believe it will hurt us. Investors still accept our scrip ("dollars" --- not even backed by gold, as if that made any difference) and give us goods an services in return.

They invest here because we have the largest, most transparent markets. If you had to invest a pension fund's money securely, where would you do it? China? Russia? France? Mexico?

Hardly.

For good or for ill America is still Number One, the "exceptional" pluralist universal place.

Pray that we use our power wisely.