I think what gets me about the US "being taken advantage of" narrative is that it just strikes me as completely disregarding the soft power we've enjoyed for so

I think what gets me about the US "being taken advantage of" narrative is that it just strikes me as completely disregarding the soft power we've enjoyed for so long. Those investments or "wasteful projects that don't benefit people in the US" have granted us a lot of stability abroad, relatively speaking, which does translate to a better life at home ultimately. I don't know if these people are intellectually dishonest or just ignorant, if I can be blunt. If there is some legitimate counter argument that shows the cons outweigh the pros I have yet to hear it.