World order change coming?

Meantime, the polls tracking American trust in government which go back to 1958 are at or near record lows. As of April 2024, an overwhelming minority 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right "just about always" (2%) or "most of the time" (21%). Last year, 16% said they trusted the government just about always or most of the time, which was among the lowest measures in nearly seven decades of polling.

What is also significant is that there is little trust in most of the major US institutions. Whether it be the presidency, Congress, judiciary, medical system, the Church and organised religion, banks, police, public schools, newspapers and TV news, etc, American public trust in the institutions that are the hallmark of their way of life has plummeted to levels that resemble those of the 'failed' states that US media and admirers are prone to calling out when targeting countries for criticism.

If US leaders cannot inspire trust in their institutions or provide confidence to their own public, what is it that Australia can expect from them to inspire and sell to this 'lucky' country and the Asia-Pacific region?

For now, there should be no illusion that the US - through the enormous resources, reach and primacy of its military - industrial - commercial - media and academic complex (MICMA) and the support of Australia, its deputy sheriff in the region, and the few other allies - will continue being the chief instigator and perpetrator of wars, military conquest, gunboat diplomacy, unequal treaties, economic exploitation, sanctions and other dirty tricks.

We can expect It to be business as usual for America's MICMA, which has junior members mainly from developed European countries and Russia, in the global weapons market. They are being joined by a few other countries, including China, South Korea, India and Turkey jostling for a place at the minor but still highly lucrative weapons buffet table. Australia's arms exports reached a record level in 2020 but perhaps investment in AUKUS can help it to even higher levels.

Pay Up Or Else!

There will be one important difference though for G7 and NATO members arising from the US Presidential outcome. Whoever it is Kamala or Trump who wins, their administration will insist that member countries will have to cough up and pay a lot more in view of the distressed state of the US national debt which recently hit a record US$34 trillion, the huge annual deficit of over US1.5 trillion so far for 2024, and the massive investment required to even address partially the nation's economic shortcomings and challenges.

According to a Le Monde report, "Why did Donald Trump accuse NATO members of not paying?", Trump noted:

"I said, 'You didn't pay, you're delinquent [...] No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage [the Russians] to do whatever the hell they want.'"

The UK Guardian quoted the following:

He (Trump) recounted a conversation with an unidentified NATO member in which he said, "You didn't pay? You're delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills."

Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance has been equally forthright and has declared :