>Is financial fraud consistent with our national prestige?

You're right, that may be all we have left to show for it if people can't come up with something better.

Whether it's Musk or anybody else who's a real example of outright fraud, in a top position where honesty and straightforward dealing mean more than anything.

why must usamericans insist that they be the best at everything? it seems psychopathic...

The original Moon mission was masterminded by a literal card-carrying ex-member of the Nazi party (Wernher von Braun) and the American public back then didn't seem to mind.