It's all about worldwide public perception. Backing out sends a very bad message to a lot of our allies. Like I said earlier, when you have China and Europe mutually agreeing that the US has done something stupid - that says a lot.

I get that, I just don't consider it to be as severe as you and many others do. I don't hold any kind of respect for my country or its offices to begin with, so maybe that's colouring me obtuse here.

I definitely agree.

Well, imagine life for the citizens of countries that have been ostracized from the world community and ask yourself if that's a life you want to live.

Examples of this happening to countries with a monopoly on being the world's superpower though? It's a possibility but I don't think it's a surefire formula tbh.

I think it's debatable that we hold such a monopoly but ok good point. That brings me back to the pretty rich girl in junior high. She still doesn't want to go at it alone. I'm personally very uncomfortable alienating everyone except Saudi Arabia and the Philippines but you're right. It's debatable how much domestic damage Trump's unorthodox foreign policy is doing. I think losing our alignment with Europe is really bad.

I have marked this day on my calender. :p:

Our government might not be legislatively aligned with those countries on this issue, but I think that there is still more common ground than not at this moment. I think it's kind of short-sighted to view this withdrawal as the nail in the coffin as far as that's concerned.

There're things like this: Angela Merkel Suggests Germany Can't Count on the U.S. Under Trump, but really, how bad is it to not be Germany's go to for aid and does it mean that they've in turn deserted us? And is her word good?

The utilities market is so horrible right now and in most areas they are just a monopoly and you have no choice put to sign up with them and the crappy energy they provide. I don't see anything wrong with having companies that supply green energy being an option for people that want it while giving them lower rates than the area monopoly company that just does whatever they want and charges their customers variable rates based off of the seasons. Higher in summer sincr everyone wants to pump their AC and higher in winter.

It is fine to have the delivery side regulated but the supply side shouldn't be.

I think her word is pretty good. There are numerous opinion articles out there claiming she is now the leader of the free world. She has enough influence for that to actually be true.

Frown

I think you're underestimating how quickly things can change in this world.