[w00t]

I don't like the US, but they're plenty powerful. National debt is common in all nations, it's how they keep a sense of national duty.

As for actual power, like it or not, the US has plenty of power. They have a well-trained, highly motivated, cutting edge military that is at least one of the top 3 in the world. China's problem is that they oppress their people, and their military is not volunteer.