Policy, schamlicy

Most of the media waited with baited breath for the "foreign policy" speech being offered by The Donald.  They could have exhaled early, as it was the same as most of the other policy speeches he has offered so far during the campaign.  Short on substance and long on bombast and ignorance.  The interaction between America and its allies and foes has been driven for over a hundred years by the idea of Empire.  From the Spanish-American War in the late nineteenth century to the overthrow of legitimate governments around the world by the CIA during the 20th and the continuing occupation of myriad bases around the globe, our policy has been to project military power to further our economic and political interests.  Much of this sprawling empire is paid for by the client states, including Japan, Germany and the Saudis.  Now comes Trump to tell these vassals that they aren't paying enough tribute to their overlord.  That is the way this is going to sound in capitals around the world.   Perhaps someone Trump respects will advise him to walk back some of this latest round of bluster.   Somehow I don't think it will happen.  He is still striking a chord with the average low information voter, who will eat up this fact free frolic through recent history.  Wait til he introduces Paris Hilton as his new Secretary of State!