The winter of discontent.

COMING WINTER WILL TEST GOVERNMENTS WORLDWIDE 

ENERGY, FOOD, GENERAL LACK OF TRUST IN GOVERNMENT

While the American press is obsessed with inward social issues and the coming election, the rest of the world is poised for a winter of unprecedented crisis. It is going to be a test of the governments ability to manage these inevitable problems.

We see demonstrations almost daily, in France, Germany, Belgium and the Czech republic. We see almost certain power shortages in all the EU countries and the UK. We have seen changes of governments in Italy, Sweden and the UK and almost certain changes elsewhere. 

Many of these problems are the result of decisions made years ago including a move to eliminate fossil fuels at any cost. A cost that will now come to reality. 

While the Russia /NATO crisis is bringing these problems to a head they have been festering there for some time. Decisions based on ideology, without the wisdom to foresee the consequences may propel the world into the most dangerous time since WW2. 

We have seen decisions made concerning energy, without the providing of an alternative. We have seen  decisions concerning agriculture that are going to have serious consequences worldwide. It is expected that this winter will bring not only high prices for food and energy, but also shortages that may be unprecedented.

Couple this with a," you are either for us or you are our enemy" foreign policy from the Biden administration and these internal problems will be magnified many times over. Countries that often sided with this country are now questioning whether they want to give unwavering support, when their countries self interest is vulnerable. This is coupled with the inevitable threats of sanctions for those who do not submit.

Many former allies are now questioning the wisdom of alliances that may be very costly to them, much of it caused by a lack of trust that has increased in recent years. Our ally today, may be in for sanctions at the first sign of descent.

We have seen of course, Russia moved from a competitor to an enemy, possibly irrevocably. We have seen India, Pakistan, Turkey, the middle east and African countries desiring to become a group of neutral countries. Obviously they increasingly fear taking sides in the rush to global alliances that may  lead to global conflict.

We have seen a increasing belligerent rhetoric toward China, without any real attempt to become independent of Chinese manufacturing. China's biggest threat to the United States is the United States dependence on China for basic products and materials. It seems our leaders are torn between the profits of cheap imports and national security. Real action is replaced with threats and a belligerent attitude that will not solve the problem. Changing the regulations to make America a competitive manufacturing country is hard work, it cannot be solved with spin and threats.

We are witnessing the world rushing headlong into the abyss and it is evident that the current leaders have no understanding of what to do to stop.