I recently returned from our offices in Switzerland.  As my company specializes in arranging and funding global financial transactions for capital projects and commodities, our business activity is a relatively good barometer of the general health of the world economy.  Over the past three months the number of booked transactions is back to the level experienced in early 2008.

There is a global economic rebound afoot; but not for the United States.  There will not be as long as there remains little or no international confidence in the economic policies (particularly the unimaginable debt being incurred) as pursued by the Obama Administration.  I do not expect any meaningful recovery and job creation for at least three years.  Meanwhile the rest of the world will march on without us.

As for our overweening President, the bloom is definitely off the rose in most circles in Europe.  Nearly every conversation eventually gets to his incompetence, arrogance and demeanor.  On occasion I, hardly an Obama supporter, have had to come, in a roundabout way, to his aide by defending the American people who chose him based on a deceitful campaign.

President Obama's first impression on many in Europe and elsewhere has been awful and will never be repaired.   But the general attitude toward the American people is still positive and there is confidence that we will come to our senses and return to the being the country that leads the free world.

For all of those that wring their hands over the supposed fact that the world doesn't like us, they do, it's called respect.  We have earned it over the years and no incompetent in the White House can destroy it.

The Senate campaign in Massachusetts, while in part a referendum on Health Care Reform and Obama, is more a factor of the Democratic candidate being so inept plus the decades old belief among the Democrats there that once a primary is won, the general election is a validation not a competition.  Scott Brown will win, but it does not portend anything for November 2, 2010.  That is still 10 months away, an eternity in politics.

The horse trading and bribery among the House, Senate and the White House to pass any kind of Heath Care bill has been described as business as usual and done everywhere.  Having been in business for over 40 years throughout the world, I have never seen such blatant misuse of power and money.  In many countries these actions would end up with criminal charges being filed.  This level of criminality is not business as usual.

Lastly, one of the reminders of home is powering up the portable while overseas and reading the American Thinker website particularly the comments section to the various articles.  They reinforce the unique privilege being an American citizen.