By the early seventies, the USA was at the peak of its influence as a world power. We had put a man on the moon, and despite the debacle of the Viet Nam war, our military might was unquestionably superior to that of any other nation on earth. I was proud to be an American. The beginning of the end began when President "Jimmy" (hard to respect a leader called by his nickname) Carter gave away the Panama Canal in 1977. This was the beginning of the transformation of our foreign policy focus from self-interest to being the "friend" of all nations. The diminution of our power and respect in the world continued with our pitiful performance and response to the Iranian hostage crisis.
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