Poll: A threat to American Hegemony?

[MrPeanut]

You should be more worried about the little union in Europe. Seriously they're making me nervous.

Well, Europe has always been a forerunner in most things, why not destroy ourselves now rather than later?

 

[Chunga the Great]

Wow, some British know-it-all predicting America's decline. Haven't seen that before except for that time yesterday. And that time last week. Oh and there was that time during breakfast on Sunday.

Too true. That's probably the worst part of these forums.

OT: No the U.S will not implode in a fireball of nuclear violence and warfare. It may lose power, but it will survive as a country.

 

[j0frenzy]

I see the decline of America as a lot of things. I see it as the world generally getting wealthier and more countries rising to the economic and technological levels of the top tier countries. I also don't think America necessarily needs to be in decline, but we can't stop arguing long enough to bring it out of decline. We are too focused propping up certain industries, bowing to corporate interests and squabbling over unimportant matters to focus on it. That we have a major political party whose response to a declining America is to cover their ears and call out anyone who points out America is declining in power as anti-American isn't helping. The way how I see it working out is that some other country (or maybe the EU as a whole) is going to start being the economic focus and it will be a wake up call for the entire country. How we handle it from there is anyone's guess. With the right leadership and little bit of luck, we can easily go back to being on top or at least be important, but I think it is only going to be because someone actually pulls ahead of us.

 

[Syzygy23]

EDIT: Also, I picked the "nuclear/biological weapons option" which was meant to be a joke, but I think America will probably try to go down fighting, invading other countries and stealing their oil and pasting their culture over places that don't want it...

It's a little concerning that the crazy meter is quite high in some quarters in a country with thousands of nuclear warheads and the capability to deliver them around the world.

America is quite rich when it comes to natural resources and still has plenty of potential. I just hope that they can live up to the image that their diplomats strive to convey.

And moonbases are not the solution ..

You obviously don't know how much Helium-3 can be found on the moon then.

I'm not surprised my country is in the state it's in. We've all been spoiled rotten by being middle/upper class or taught bad fiscal habits by being poor ( http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-stupidest-habits-you-develop-growing-up-poor_p2/ ) Combined with a shitty public education system being bled dry by the parasite known as "The Teachers Union".

I predict this'll all spiral to a point where my country will collapse into ignorance and infighting, and from there will either realize it's collective mistakes and begin to better itself or fail to learn anything, anad suddenly The United States is labeled as "Mexico 2" on globes and maps.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

This may come as a shock, but in terms of world politics I find America being in decline as a good thing. At the very least after the decline the world will have to pick out a new scape goat to blame all its problems on, and I look forward to that. If I had it my way we probably would have never involved ourselves in world politics, wars, or economies to begin with, what good has it done us? But then this isn't my country, Yes, I live here, but culturally I'm little more than a foreigner.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Wow, some British know-it-all predicting America's decline. Haven't seen that before except for that time yesterday. And that time last week. Oh and there was that time during breakfast on Sunday.

Too true. That's probably the worst part of these forums.

OT: No the U.S will not implode in a fireball of nuclear violence and warfare. It may lose power, but it will survive as a country.

The anti-American bigotry is so bad on these forums that I find myself having to resist developing prejudices against people from the uk.

 

[lacktheknack]

I figured that it was on the decline. For ONE thing, it's kind of impossible to thrive on a >$10,000,000,000,000 debt.

And I'd normally figure that they'd pull their pant legs up and start getting things fix'd, but judging from the current bipartisian government and the general attitude of people from America on the debt, education, etc... it feels like I'm pointing at a huge fire consuming half of the building (the debt) and screaming, but since I'm Canadian, no one gives care.

 

[lacktheknack]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

The world may not be on fire, but I'm VERY VERY concerned about the USA's national debt. As in, I'd want my government to deeply slash ALL their expenses (even the military, social security, health care and education) and get rid of it. Even if the world ISN'T on fire, that big of a debt is the next best thing.

 

[craftomega]

Wow, some British know-it-all predicting America's decline. Haven't seen that before except for that time yesterday. And that time last week. Oh and there was that time during breakfast on Sunday.

Too true. That's probably the worst part of these forums.

OT: No the U.S will not implode in a fireball of nuclear violence and warfare. It may lose power, but it will survive as a country.

The anti-American bigotry is so bad on these forums that I find myself having to resist developing prejudices against people from the uk.

You do know that there is an edit button right?


Back on topic.

A revolution is coming to the states just wait. Mass prisoner release, an exodus of the rich, the rising of the middle class. Its like russia all over again just for different reasons.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Wow, some British know-it-all predicting America's decline. Haven't seen that before except for that time yesterday. And that time last week. Oh and there was that time during breakfast on Sunday.

Too true. That's probably the worst part of these forums.

OT: No the U.S will not implode in a fireball of nuclear violence and warfare. It may lose power, but it will survive as a country.

The anti-American bigotry is so bad on these forums that I find myself having to resist developing prejudices against people from the uk.

You do know that there is an edit button right?


Back on topic.

A revolution is coming to the states just wait. Mass prisoner release, an exodus of the rich, the rising of the middle class. Its like russia all over again just for different reasons.

I like how you start the conversation off by insulting my grammar or spelling, it really helps us start on friendly terms. It also lets me know right away that your not worth speaking to, but nevertheless when did Canadians acquirer psychic powers?

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

The world may not be on fire, but I'm VERY VERY concerned about the USA's national debt. As in, I'd want my government to deeply slash ALL their expenses (even the military, social security, health care and education) and get rid of it. Even if the world ISN'T on fire, that big of a debt is the next best thing.

I agree that it is extremely important that our government takes care of the national debt, but I still don't think it's reason to panic, or start predicting the end of our country.

 

[lacktheknack]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

The world may not be on fire, but I'm VERY VERY concerned about the USA's national debt. As in, I'd want my government to deeply slash ALL their expenses (even the military, social security, health care and education) and get rid of it. Even if the world ISN'T on fire, that big of a debt is the next best thing.

I agree that it is extremely important that our government takes care of the national debt, but I still don't think it's reason to panic, or start predicting the end of our country.

I think it is.

I'm normally not easy to disturb or freak out, but keep in mind that if China finally demands their money back, you're screwed. And that would be still OK, if not tense, if the debt wasn't actively growing.

Nothing would make me happier than if you guys would stop leaving it on the backburner and actually did something about it.

 

[TheVioletBandit]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

The world may not be on fire, but I'm VERY VERY concerned about the USA's national debt. As in, I'd want my government to deeply slash ALL their expenses (even the military, social security, health care and education) and get rid of it. Even if the world ISN'T on fire, that big of a debt is the next best thing.

I agree that it is extremely important that our government takes care of the national debt, but I still don't think it's reason to panic, or start predicting the end of our country.

I think it is.

I'm normally not easy to disturb or freak out, but keep in mind that if China finally demands their money back, you're screwed. And that would be still OK, if not tense, if the debt wasn't actively growing.

Nothing would make me happier than if you guys would stop leaving it on the backburner and actually did something about it.

"you guys" what does that mean? Anyway, china's economy depends to greatly on us for them to "demand their money back." Like I said it's a serious problem that the government needs to take care of, but there's no need to freakout and jump ship. We live in an age of anxiety, and what we need most are level-headed individuals that fix the things that are broken instead of shitting themselves and crying. Unfortunately, I don't have the power or know how to fix things, but I still have a choice as to whether I freakout or not, and I choose not.

 

[mrhappy1489]

In all fairness, out of any empire or kingdom that I have read about and witnessed over the history of society, the United States is the only one that is still capable of maintaining empire well past its prime, but seems to be the most fearful of trying to get there. China is going to become an economic powerhouse, you cannot stop that, but what the US needs to do is focus on sustainable economic plans and a drastic reduction of useless spending and they may be able to curtail this climb into decent. While I'm sure I don't know half the story, what I do know is not good for the Americans, but it isn't all bad. They still have the 3rd largest population in the world, one of the highest HDI around and a lot of money to boot. If they can rectify the current mistakes they are making, reduce their debt and use that huge population to its advantage, there is every possibility that by the time China finally reaches the up echelons of the economic world, the US will still maintain a substantial part of its current influence and rather than be taken over by China, actually rival and share the spot with them.

 

[Da Orky Man]

Sorry, I've improved the layout so it's easier to read. And hey, just because it's a 'know-it-all' European, doesn't mean he might not have some valid points, and hearing Americans' informed rather than jingoistic opinions on those points would be interesting.

I think that is my signal to step in.

I seems to me that the United States is just coasting along on it's past glories, both parties seem to squander any real chance to fix anything, they just bicker and fearmonger to get themselves back into office.

I think that the decline of the United States will be much like the decline of the Byzantine Empire, it will remain a portent cultural force, but it's world influence will degrade to that of a lesser power. But the United States will not just die and go away, it will remain, slowly becoming the play thing of more powerful nations...

...and now I feel a little bit sad.

I really don't think things here are that bad (the media would have us believe the worlds on fire, but it's just not so), and it's going to be a long time still before we're a more powerful nations plaything. I wouldn't be surprised if our countries in a decline, but remember the great depression? We've been in a decline before and came out of it, so there is no reason to become doomsayers now, just because some Brits trying to sell his book through fear-mongering. Also, in terms of a decline in Americas participation in world politics I don't think that would be a bad thing at all as I have already said in another post in this thread.

The world may not be on fire, but I'm VERY VERY concerned about the USA's national debt. As in, I'd want my government to deeply slash ALL their expenses (even the military, social security, health care and education) and get rid of it. Even if the world ISN'T on fire, that big of a debt is the next best thing.

I agree that it is extremely important that our government takes care of the national debt, but I still don't think it's reason to panic, or start predicting the end of our country.

I think it is.

I'm normally not easy to disturb or freak out, but keep in mind that if China finally demands their money back, you're screwed. And that would be still OK, if not tense, if the debt wasn't actively growing.

Nothing would make me happier than if you guys would stop leaving it on the backburner and actually did something about it.

You know that China is only owed about 8% of America's debt? And that China itself relies on America a lot more than vice versa? If the debt was called in, America could plausibly pay it off, while China would collapse.

 

[mrhappy1489]

Our government is disfunctional.

Our people are either apathetic or clearly insane.

Our left wing wants to destroy our right wing.

Our right wing wants to destroy our left wing.

We have the most backward social standing among all 1st-world countries, which is saying something.

We are a Christian nation masquerading as a free religious country, and we let religion control our country even more than the Islamic nations we demonize.

We outsource our jobs, and cling to the time when we saw ourselves as the heroes of the world.

We are the worst of each sector of life, and refuse to change because we've never had to before.

And this will not change. We will fall, and I hope it comes soon, because only then will we learn and get better.

I've already written my piece so I'm not going to repeat it, but if you fall, you will languish like all the other fallen empires, forced to relegation behind the new power/s that take up the mantel. If you want some advice, start a greens party, in about 20 years they'll have a frustrating minority that while getting on my tits, at least acts as some sort of questioner of the main parties (I'm Australian).