My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies
By: Opinion by Joe Biden (The Washington Post)
Joe Biden delivers an opinion heavily laden in jingoism and a rehash of neo-liberal rivalries from last century. What does it say about democracy when the President's opinion is trapped behind a paywall? Joe Biden isn't writing for the average American; Biden's choice of audience is more selective and discriminating.
Joe Biden's agenda is quite clear: reinvigorate technocratic government, revitalize commercial expansion, liberalize trade, and renew neo-liberal economic rivalries with Russia and China. There isn't anything democratic about Joe Biden's agenda. And the United States only serves as a decorative symbol for a wholly global agenda. Joe Biden is reaffirming that the interests of the United States are subordinate to global business and financial expansion. The G7 Summit is about the world's advanced economies ensuring future dominance politically and economically on the world stage. And those advanced economies won't let the common people interfere with that agenda.
Joe Biden, along with other technocrats, are using democracy as justification for a mandate to do as they damn well please. And the elected technocrats are not going to allow common people use democracy to interfere with that agenda. Protecting democracy is really about safeguarding technocratic autonomy.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
On Wednesday, I depart for Europe on the first foreign travel of my presidency. It is a trip stacked with meetings with many of our closest democratic partners — including the Group of Seven nations, our NATO allies and the leadership of the European Union — before concluding by meeting with Vladimir Putin. In this moment of global uncertainty, as the world still grapples with a once-in-a-century pandemic, this trip is about realizing America’s renewed commitment to our allies and partners, and demonstrating the capacity of democracies to both meet the challenges and deter the threats of this new age.
Whether it is ending the covid-19 pandemic everywhere, meeting the demands of an accelerating climate crisis, or confronting the harmful activities of the governments of China and Russia, the United States must lead the world from a position of strength. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan and our domestic vaccination strategy, our economy is now growing faster than at any time in almost 40 years. We have created more jobs in the first four months of our administration than under any other president. Wages are increasing for American workers. And, as America’s economic recovery helps to propel the global economy, we will be stronger and more capable when we are flanked by nations that share our values and our vision for the future — by other democracies.
That’s the agenda I will advance at every stop. In the United Kingdom, after meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to affirm the special relationship between our nations, I will participate in the G-7 summit. This group of leading democracies and economies has not met in person in two years due to the coronavirus. Ending this pandemic, improving health security for all nations and driving a robust, inclusive global economic recovery will be our top priorities.
Already, the G-7 finance ministers have made an unprecedented commitment to build momentum for a global minimum tax rate of at least 15 percent to end the race-to-the-bottom on corporate taxation. And with the United States back in the chair on the issue of climate change, we have an opportunity to deliver ambitious progress that curbs the climate crisis and creates jobs by driving a global clean-energy transition.
Just as it does at home, honing the ability of democracies to compete and protecting our people against unforeseen threats requires us to invest in infrastructure. The world’s major democracies will be offering a high-standard alternative to China for upgrading physical, digital and health infrastructure that is more resilient and supports global development.
As new technologies reshape our world in fundamental ways, exposing vulnerabilities like ransomware attacks and creating threats such as invasive AI-driven surveillance, the democracies of the world must together ensure that our values govern the use and development of these innovations — not the interests of autocrats.
Those shared democratic values are the foundation of the most successful alliance in world history. In Brussels, at the NATO summit, I will affirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Article 5 and to ensuring our alliance is strong in the face of every challenge, including threats like cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure.
While in Brussels, I’ll meet with the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Council to discuss how the United States and Europe can work in close coordination on global challenges. We will focus on ensuring that market democracies, not China or anyone else, write the 21st-century rules around trade and technology. And we will continue to pursue the goal of a Europe whole, free and at peace.
So, when I meet with Vladimir Putin in Geneva, it will be after high-level discussions with friends, partners and allies who see the world through the same lens as the United States, and with whom we have renewed our connections and shared purpose. We are standing united to address Russia’s challenges to European security, starting with its aggression in Ukraine, and there will be no doubt about the resolve of the United States to defend our democratic values, which we cannot separate from our interests.
In my phone calls with President Putin, I have been clear and direct. The United States does not seek conflict. We want a stable and predictable relationship where we can work with Russia on issues like strategic stability and arms control. That’s why I acted immediately to extend the New START treaty for five years and bolster the security of the American people and the world.
At the same time, I have also imposed meaningful consequences for behaviors that violate U.S. sovereignty, including interference in our democratic elections. And President Putin knows that I will not hesitate to respond to future harmful activities. When we meet, I will again underscore the commitment of the United States, Europe and like-minded democracies to stand up for human rights and dignity.
This is a defining question of our time: Can democracies come together to deliver real results for our people in a rapidly changing world? Will the democratic alliances and institutions that shaped so much of the last century prove their capacity against modern-day threats and adversaries? I believe the answer is yes. And this week in Europe, we have the chance to prove it.
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Did you vote for Joe Biden because he would give more power to technocratic government, protect the global dominance of supply-side business and finance, expand exploitation of resources and people around the world, and renew neo-liberal economic rivalries from the last century?
If that's what people voted for then those people must be very happy. Because that's exactly what they have gotten with Joe Biden. Joe Biden is affirming that the interests of the United States are subordinate to global interests of business and finance.
Please be clear, are you and yours suggesting that the U.S.A should govern by it's 'gut'? And ignore the technological challenges present in the world? Do you think China and Russia will be happy if our nation does not advance its technology? How many more ' craft-carriers' do you think we should have before we come to a conclusion that other countries intend to side-step such vehicles of war?
Is the United States governing itself? Or is the United States being governed by absentee global technocrats?
Western technological advancement has become totally dependent upon China, in particular. NASA was completely dependent upon Russian made rocket engines. The United States still cannot send astronauts to the International Space Station; we rely upon Russia to provide transport.
The United States does not (and perhaps cannot) produce its own technology. The United States is flying by the seat of its pants.
Of course, the United States is self-governing. It was even more self-governing before it diluted its efficacy, power, and influence through unwise political divisions. Now, we are just 'barely' hanging on, while our frenemies get their houses in order! If we don't change course and become a whole nation in search of a common goal, we will be not only be a "has-been" we shall also be a laughingstock. The once great U. S. A experiment on adding the world's greatest minds and laborers to itself and the unique beacon of liberties thrown down by international intrigue and its own internal hubris has become a mere, simple-minded, regional power.
It is an international space station. What is this complaint (charge)? When did "cooperative" technology become a curse word?
We can not lead the world's nations from a 'third-row' balcony seat! Go and learn what it means to be in charge!
This is nonsense.
Prove that statement (true). We have great technology companies. What we labor with is the political will to act on one accord. Our political system has been 'drunkenly' staggering for decades. Worse, it's getting more inebriated ("blasted out of its mind). Can our political systems -subject to delusions and hysterics even become state and federal "JUNKIES" always hunting for their next fixes?
China, Russia, Turkey, North Korea, etceteras do not have governmental drunkenness or shooting up problems. These countries are not bothered by stressful considerations like liberty/ies- they are singularly focused through one life-long leader at a time who does what he/she wills and compels others to tow the line to make it so.
That will not happen in the U. S. A. for a host of reasons (some custom, tradition, and constitutional).
The U. S. A has to drag along political ideologies, and 'tribes' that don't want to like or respect others. Thus, we are slowing and will grind to a 'halt' in world dynamics, because of selfish factions, schisms, and hatreds. Matters which the autocratic nations do not bother with; for they are mostly singular 'tribes" and they can take advantage of (and exploit) our weak resolve to fix our SHITTINESS.
Our two political systems need to work together. One side or the other is broken. Or they both are! What is clear is until our states stop trying to split the country: the country shall be DOUBLEMINDED. And let me tell you by way of warning: SINGLE-MINDED nations will kick our divided 'carcass' around and excel beyond our reach in due time unless we stop being naive politically-speaking.
A house divided has no other choice than to topple itself. . . . Autocrats are beginning to eat our lunch at their liberty!
Conservatives are going no where without Liberals and vice-versa. So they might as well get along to get ahead once more!
NOTE: WHAT IS OCCURRING IN CHINA IS THE INEVITABLE. A nation of a billion plus people have finally understood that they can be tiny in their own eyes or be the / a world leader holding the 'chair' reserved for them. They realized through President Xi that being insular and 'tucked away smartly' has its limitations. But, as China learns you do not get worldwide respect from behind a 'veil' of protection.
What does being in charge have to do with democracy? Joe Biden presents an opinion that a summit of technocrats is an expression of democracy. These technocrats will establish a policy agenda that won't be subjected to approval or consensus by representatives of the people.
As the pandemic has demonstrated, the United States can no longer provide any more than token support for the world. The United States could not provide for the needs of its own people; providing benevolent assistance to other countries was beyond the capacity of the United States.
Flowery prose and jingoistic appeals doesn't alter reality. Joe Biden is making a tour of Europe not to lead the world but because the United States cannot sustain itself any longer and is dependent upon the world.
And while our political parties are busy bickering about chewing off each others 'foot' - guess what technology the autocrats are engaged in? North Korean President Kim Jung Un came, took photos, "lectured," and quite quietly and resolutely retreated back to his TECHNOLOGICAL national 'business' of building a new, improved nuclear bomb that will take out his adversary: U. S. A. (How is that for putting the 'fear of God' in you)?
I repeat North Korea is of one mind: Build a better nuclear bomb: "Chop/chop." Become a tech 'marvel.'
Then tell the U. S. A. to go to Hell once and for all.
Where is your sense of 'team spirit," conservative?! On one hand you don't want us to take care of the world, but on the other hand you want to lead the world. Well, you don't lead from behind a wall.
You want proof of that? Just look at the "break out" nations that bided their time to achieve a level of growth and development who are not coming after us. Why because we are the "lion" that needs to be attacked (from all sides) and chased off the world's stage.
Better get some 'friendlies' to support our cause, or better yet keep the ones in place that are with up in attitude, mind, and spirit already.
(You can't do that through delusional politics, though.)
"What does it say about democracy when the President's opinion is trapped behind a paywall?"
It says you subscribe to WaPo.
This is also available on You tube:
The Youtube video is not complete. I don't know why the White House allowed the opinion to be carried by Washington Post (which they knew would have a paywall) maybe we will learn why soon. However, leave it up to the 80/20 rule of life for the critics to get out and ahead of the WH to make us aware of an "indiscretion." Must'nt miss an occasion to impugn the character of a known good politician and human being. Who does not lie, cheat, or steal for a living.
True enough ... my mistake. The last half is missing.
It also says the President's opinion is a commercial commodity. Yet, we ignore the problem of systemic neo-liberalism. Citing a global gatekeeper whose self-interest is certainly not democratic or altruistic may hide the problem. Kicking the can won't address the problem of systemic neo-liberalism. Your cited example only suggests that democracy is being sold to the highest bidder.
BTW, who is Instants News?
This is such a broad concept. You will need to narrow it down instead of just tossing it out there as a one size fits all.
The concept of neo-liberalism isn't any more broad than the concepts of systemic racism, white privilege, or fascism (small f). In fact, what many are calling systemic racism, white privilege, or fascism is actually neo-liberalism.
In broad terms, neo-liberalism advances stateless technocratic autonomy to manipulate market economies for the purpose of financial exploitation. In many respects, neo-liberals are the terrorists of economics.
Because I couldn't vote for a psychotic moron.
We in the rest of the world thank you for that.
A valid reason. However, that doesn't justify ignoring what Joe Biden is doing.
Joe Biden ran on voting against a psychotic moron; that's why Joe Biden was elected. But voting against a psychotic moron isn't a mandate that allows Joe Biden to do as he damn well pleases.
Sure it is. It was for Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama & Trump.
Hell, I cannot remember a President who felt otherwise.
They all fight with the Senate & House and try end runs on SCOTUS to
help their agenda/policies...and legacies.
They all look back in time for ancient precedents and relevant laws to get what they want, when they want it.
There is nothing unique about Biden yet.
Nerm, can we govern by delusion? How will we convince the world to follow us (into a global delusional state)? Won't other nation's abandon us to our delusional condition?
We need to fix our sick politics! It is a cancer eating us out! Better start now, because later it will be just that much harder. And one more thing: A two-country U. S. A. will have split its power, influence, and ability to protect itself. So why waste energy and time contemplating or pondering a 'divorce' politically or literally.
I'm not ignoring it I'm observing it. I'm not thrilled with everything Biden does but for the most part he's doing well.
And if other nations aren't just like us and benefit our interests the way we say, we're going to SMASH THEM , because they may become better than we are.
Because WE OWN THIS WORLD and don't you forget it.