And in that time, the US created how much money? 4T in quantitative easing (printing new money) for starters. Face it. If you want to keep your magic petrodollar (print all the money you want with no ramifications) system, you have to defend it. Whilst the lazy, stupid, fucks that make up America's voters want their gibs, pensions, and asset bubbles to keep inflating, they'll vote for the parties that keep giving it to them.