as well versed as mr brooks is in world history...he forgets the most basic premise of it ...it will repeat itself..it is a cycle. our time in the zenith is likely over. trump has just sealed the deal and hastened it.  he's undercut our credibility in world opinion like no other before. 
   what might have been a more graceful fall with a facade of pride and the good will of the world's benevolence - we are now helpless to our puppet masters. if our debts were called in?   something about bend over and kiss yourself goodbye.. ?
    everybody gets a turn on top and if you're around long enough in some form..(and if we don't nuke ourselves into oblivion..).. you get to be top dog more than once. china looks like it's on it's 3rd go around as far we remember. every culture had a great flourishing civilization is was built on. - a civilization that most likely ruled at some point. it's the way of time.... no surprises there. we just happen to be the generation witnessing our down turn.