4 ms·

> devaluing the dollar (predominantly Warren on the left and Trump on the right), which would weaken the international position of the US and of course effectiv

> devaluing the dollar (predominantly Warren on the left and Trump on the right), which would weaken the international position of the US and of course effectively make American consumers poorer. Devaluing the dollar makes exports more competitive (cheaper), which is appealing to leaders. Also, it devalues China's US holdings, so bonus. (The Chinese hate that the US can do that, and released a short film explaining how that works, and warning the USA not to do it. The film used to run on Chinese airlines. High-quality film.)

082349872349872 6y ago
Part of the problem the USSR faced at implosion was that its major export, oil, was not only produced in increasing supply (by saudi) but was priced in a weakening currency (USD). If it turned out the US doesn't like countries like Iran or Venezuela, a weaker dollar would serve foreign policy. Also, a weaker dollar would be better for young people in the US. Making exports expensive and imports cheap doesn't help an economy grow over the long run* (see JPY), it only benefits those who already have lots of USD. So depending upon the generational balance of power within the US, a weaker dollar might also serve domestic policy. * for short term goals (like M&A of the DDR) a strong currency can be beneficial.
- redis_mlc 6y ago
  > Part of the problem the USSR faced at implosion was that its major export, oil In 2019, 52% of Russia's exports were oil/fuel, and 96% for Venezuela. Gotta wonder what their leaders do all day, besides crank the spigot. The problem that the USA has with Iran is that they don't want a theocracy with a nuclear bomb, yet Iran ia a regional industrial power, unlike other Middle Eastern countries. http://www.worldstopexports.com/russias-top-10-exports/ http://www.worldstopexports.com/russias-top-10-exports/ https://tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/exports https://tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/exports
  - modo_mario 6y ago
    >The problem that the USA has with Iran is that they don't want a theocracy with a nuclear bomb I don't think the fact that it's a theocracy plays any part in that or that it isn't democratic enough for that matter. The fact that it's a long standing enemy (admittedly partially of it's own making) and enemy to it's neighbouring allies tho....
    - redis_mlc 6y ago
      > I don't think the fact that it's a theocracy plays any part in that It's laughable to suggest religion plays no part in Middle East affairs. Funniest thing I've read all week, actually. :)
  - 082349872349872 6y ago
    The Anglicans are a state-run church with the bomb, maybe they'd better watch out.
    - redis_mlc 6y ago
      Britain is not run by clerics, so is not a theocracy. And they're not an enemy of the only superpower.

082349872349872 6y ago

Part of the problem the USSR faced at implosion was that its major export, oil, was not only produced in increasing supply (by saudi) but was priced in a weakening currency (USD). If it turned out the US doesn't like countries like Iran or Venezuela, a weaker dollar would serve foreign policy. Also, a weaker dollar would be better for young people in the US. Making exports expensive and imports cheap doesn't help an economy grow over the long run* (see JPY), it only benefits those who already have lots of USD. So depending upon the generational balance of power within the US, a weaker dollar might also serve domestic policy. * for short term goals (like M&A of the DDR) a strong currency can be beneficial.

redis_mlc 6y ago
> Part of the problem the USSR faced at implosion was that its major export, oil In 2019, 52% of Russia's exports were oil/fuel, and 96% for Venezuela. Gotta wonder what their leaders do all day, besides crank the spigot. The problem that the USA has with Iran is that they don't want a theocracy with a nuclear bomb, yet Iran ia a regional industrial power, unlike other Middle Eastern countries. http://www.worldstopexports.com/russias-top-10-exports/ http://www.worldstopexports.com/russias-top-10-exports/ https://tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/exports https://tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/exports
- modo_mario 6y ago
  >The problem that the USA has with Iran is that they don't want a theocracy with a nuclear bomb I don't think the fact that it's a theocracy plays any part in that or that it isn't democratic enough for that matter. The fact that it's a long standing enemy (admittedly partially of it's own making) and enemy to it's neighbouring allies tho....
  - redis_mlc 6y ago
    > I don't think the fact that it's a theocracy plays any part in that It's laughable to suggest religion plays no part in Middle East affairs. Funniest thing I've read all week, actually. :)
- 082349872349872 6y ago
  The Anglicans are a state-run church with the bomb, maybe they'd better watch out.
  - redis_mlc 6y ago
    Britain is not run by clerics, so is not a theocracy. And they're not an enemy of the only superpower.