Millwright without hope and love one has little reason to live... Anyway realistic timeframes re dark age following empire collapse is centuries, look at Roman empire, however I think people on average became a bit more free and had to fend for themselves... However I think we are talking here about a descent into Tyranny with a maintenance of empire control, similar to Soviet Union, 1 or 2 generations tops, possibly shorter time, depends when the empire collapse... I do believe however that it is possible Paul can turn things around, but he needs at least a sizable minority of the establishment at least not going against him. The Bernanke breakfast meeting was interesting for that particular reason...