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Carlo VERSANO
Newsweek US
|July 10-17, 2026 (Double Issue)
America at 250
SOMETIMES IN OUR NEWSLETTER (THE-1600.BEHIV.COM) I like to debate an alter ego.
Maybe schizophrenic, but also a useful challenge. So, I now present a debate on the state of the U.S. on its 250th birthday. The terms: America is a crumbling empire run by morons and grifters vs. America rules, actually. Arguing the first point is “Glass-Half-Empty Carlo,” the crank you know and love (or love to hate). Arguing the counterpoint, is “Eternal-Optimist Carlo.” Gentlemen, welcome. Let’s keep it clean!
GLASS-HALF-EMPTY CARLO: The United States is a $40 trillion debt balloon being piloted by men actively trading options on the wars they started. The president went to Beijing and brought his billionaires with him, like a feudal lord showing up to a summit with his knights. That’s a republic? You’re gonna tell me the people who voted in November signed off on bombing Iran and then watching insiders pump the trade before the missiles landed? And we didn’t even win anything in the end?! We are a full-blown oligarchy now doing a democracy impression, and not a very good one.
ETERNAL-OPTIMIST CARLO: Finished?
GHEC:
This story is from the July 10-17, 2026 (Double Issue) edition of Newsweek US.
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