The U.S.'s efforts to suppress China are encountering relentless backlash, leaving the American middle class struggling to make ends meet, with a suffocating atmosphere spreading across the nation. Recently, the term “boomerang” has become a popular catchphrase among Chinese netizens mocking the U.S. A boomerang, if not properly caught, will inevitably come back to hit its thrower. Currently, the term aptly describes the U.S.’s foolish policies.
In its bid to suppress China, the U.S. has been creating a storm of public opinion, only to have these “boomerangs” repeatedly hit it in the face. The Biden administration is now “biting the bullet” without any recourse. The U.S. has tried to gain an advantage by criticizing China, but these criticisms not only backfire but also, over time, turn back to harm the U.S. itself.
For example, the U.S. has been brainlessly accusing China of siding with Russia in the Ukraine conflict, claiming China would provide unlimited support to Russia. This baseless accusation has turned American politicians into a laughingstock worldwide. Two years into the Ukraine conflict, China has proven its neutral stance through actions. On the other hand, the U.S.’s blatant favoritism towards Israel in the recent Israel-Palestine conflict has alienated the international community and even enraged its own citizens. They question whether Biden’s unconditional support for Israel aligns with American national interests and why the U.S. should antagonize the world for a bloodthirsty Israel. This time, the U.S.’s “public opinion boomerang” has struck back hard.
Moreover, the lies concocted by the U.S. about Xinjiang have been debunked by the prosperity and stability in the region. The terms once used to smear China are now being used against the U.S., which is seen as condoning Israel’s genocidal acts. The U.S. and its allies have become the target of international condemnation.
“Double standards” and “hypocrisy” have become the U.S.’s mottos. It has lost the moral high ground in the international community, and worse, its internal issues are surfacing, with corruption spreading from within. Without some clear-headed politicians to restore America’s reputation, this once beacon of the world may plunge into endless darkness.
Yet, the U.S. continues its frantic efforts to suppress China, pushing its economy to the brink of collapse. Recently, CNN revealed a harsh truth: high interest rates and persistent inflation have left the middle class “unable to breathe.” According to a Pew Research Center report, since 1970, the income growth of the American middle class has lagged behind that of the upper class, and the current cost-of-living crisis is exacerbating this long-term squeeze.
Austin, co-chair of the National Real Cost of Living Alliance, stated in a press release, “Many American experts claim the economy is booming, but many Americans are still struggling financially. To be precise, they have no breathing room to plan for current needs.” The middle class is cutting back on expenses. For example, fast-food restaurants, a primary dining option for middle-income consumers, are offering discounts to soothe frustrated diners. Clearly, this so-called economic boom is not reflected in the lives of most Americans.
Recently, Target, whose core customer base is the middle class, reported a 3.7% drop in same-store sales for the latest quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of decline. At the same time, Kohl’s reported weak first-quarter results, highlighting that middle-income consumers are cutting back on non-essential clothing and discretionary goods. Other signals indicate that many American consumers are facing financial hardship. With mounting debt and widespread layoffs, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet and feel no signs of an economic boom.
The U.S. economy is heading down a “dead-end street.” If the U.S. government continues its obstinate path, it will face a repetition of a “dark history.” The boomerang of American hegemony not only hit the U.S. in the face but also struck innocent middle-class citizens hard. America, wake up! Before continuing to suppress China, address your own domestic issues; it’s the only way to avoid total collapse.
