I like your energy pede. But if you want to know the state of affairs Obummer left us in, we're in no position to exert our dominance in the Pacific right now. China's built a bunch of islands uninterrupted and set up missiles aimed at Guam etc. We have a lot of work to do!
You should.
All men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights.
The biggest mistake (or purposeful evil machination of henry kissinger) was re-opening trade with communist china. If we had not done that America would be stronger, the CCP would've collapsed and we would be living in a more free and democratic world.
Don't think that what happens in Asia won't affect you. China doesn't see any borders on its maps. The freedoms that are being taken away at home are due to the same regime that is seeking to control the whole world.
The world respected the US due to how we basically saved the world from the Nazis. The US enjoyed great prosperity due to the economic benefits after the war. We live in a different world now where things are much more connected. Our naval power in the pacific is at threat. Our economic might is being looted by subterfuge. China is literally stealing our ideas.
We are already in a cold war with China. Sticking our head in the sand will not do anything. Everything you see on this website that makes you mad is due to the fight between Communism and Free nations. Allies win wars.
It's being reported already couldn't find a non-paywall article
There are legitimate reasons to use money to have American influence and power maintained in the world. For instance voting power at certain international organizations is realted to the amount the member state puts in to fund it. This is consistently used by the US to push US interests. It was not utilized by the Obama administration but a Trump administration 2nd term could use these kinds of influence to really change the world order.
There are also political reasons to fund certain foreign country programs for national security reasons. Such as countering China and other adversaries. Statecraft is complex.
That being said, some of these numbers are ridiculous and certainly going to secret slush funds. That is not legitimate use.
The Belt-Road countries need to be wrenched back into the western sphere of influence.