Why are you surprised? USA in year 2000 was a much stronger and powerful country than America in 2008 or 2013. Since 2001 the USA is in downfall. Doesn't matter

Why are you surprised? USA in year 2000 was a much stronger and powerful country than America in 2008 or 2013. Since 2001 the USA is in downfall. Doesn't matter Bush or Obama, the country isn't recognized as a power it used to be. The tragic events of 9/11 could have and should have been used to make the America even more powerful internationally. They made it much weaker. Militarilly, economically, socially the US is getting much weaker every year since then. I remember how back in 1990 the US administration was explaining Russians not to bomb Chechnya because "you don't destroy terrorists with bombs and occupation". I remember how in 1990s America was telling Asia that "you don't solve economic problems by printing money". And telling Japan to stop subsidizing "zombie banks" that should let to fail. Etc, etc. It's like you know what to do, but you don't do it and that this makes you weaker than ever. While others in the meantime took all your advise seriously and are building strong economies and societies.