Hossein, your Englishman, describes our American condition pretty accurately. Many of the same concerns also exist in the U.K., which should be no great surprise because the economics, politics, and culture have paralleled each other, particularly since the Reagan/Thatcher years.

Another factor is that America has long been unchallenged in prosperity, resulting in complacency. The rise, mainly, of China has changed this, and we appear at a loss when China's success should benefit America and strengthen our democracy.

There is perhaps a national don't-know-what-to-do with ourselves and settling for reruns. Donald with MAGA, Joe with Build Back Better, and LORDY, we are to land on the moon -- AGAIN! An almost total waste of money better spent on more worthwhile and exciting adventures. But besides that -- a terrifying lack of imagination.

Interesting being reminded of Gorbachov. Individuals and leadership really count—folk who can see the big picture and the opportunities and move on them. In America, we probably have to go back to - Ronald Reagan? and the U.K. to Tony Blair.

America needs rejuvenation, and the easiest way to correct this is to have many times the immigration numbers. But maybe we want to finish up like Hungary -- or a little England.

Best to you. Always fun.