[Grizli]

In a historical sense, the US is already a colony of China.

In a single generation we went from being the largest creditor to being the largest debtor nation.

Alan Sinai (Economist) put it this way: '1973 began the long decline of America.'

And that was said in 1993, or thereabouts.

[ahagotyou]

My my, seems that goob and Joao are making quotes without linking to the source. Kinda makes one think they are being disingenuous and purposefully taking quotes out of context.

[Grizli]

To the contrary, quite a discussion of our quest for the bottom in 'The Myth Of Free Trade' (Dr. Ravi Batra, 1995) which is where I read the quote from Sinai.

This should hardly be news to anyone familiar with the subject, as it has been explored in depth by many writers on many occasions.

[funnyPasds]

As the sun sets on the American Empire, with the dollar in retreat, along with American power and prestige, are we ready to take our place as "just another country", rather than the world's dominant power?

we? WTF? you're american? Based on your complete hatred of america and americans, I figured you were canadian, or French. Here's my message to you:

....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
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Happy NEW YEAR!!

[9V4i8xw1]

If we're smart, we'll seek a world in which there are no superpowers.

Of course, and one where everyone gives flowers to each other every morning too.
But that ain't gonna happen.

What the America bashers never think of is the real value of America to the world is what is NOT happening...Europe is completely safe from any kind of invasion without having to spend gargantuan funds to support a bunch of individual armies large enough to protect each country on it's own - like it has been for 100's of years. Europe now has the HUGE benefit of having the protection of a military - THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. As does Canada, Mexico and a variety of other countries - the U.S. military keeps 3/4 of the world safe from war.

[Lydiaswingert]

Of course, and one where everyone gives flowers to each other every morning too.
But that ain't gonna happen.

What the America bashers never think of is the real value of America to the world is what is NOT happening...Europe is completely safe from any kind of invasion without having to spend gargantuan funds to support a bunch of individual armies large enough to protect each country on it's own - like it has been for 100's of years. Europe now has the HUGE benefit of having the protection of a military - THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. As does Canada, Mexico and a variety of other countries - the U.S. military keeps 3/4 of the world safe from war.

I'm not interested in flowers, just decentralization of all power. It's the only sane thing to do, and is in keeping with the preservation of freedom. I'd like nothing more than to see the death of the US empire because it is sucking the lifeblood out of our republic, and it is to the republic that my allegiance is pledged, not the empire.

[ahagotyou]

we? WTF? you're american? Based on your complete hatred of america and americans, I figured you were canadian, or French. Here's my message to you:

....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
..............\.............\..


Happy NEW YEAR!!

I second that emotion.

[9V4i8xw1]

I'm not interested in flowers, just decentralization of all power. It's the only sane thing to do, and is in keeping with the preservation of freedom. I'd like nothing more than to see the death of the US empire because it is sucking the lifeblood out of our republic, and it is to the republic that my allegiance is pledged, not the empire.

As does anyone...ideally.

Trouble is when no one is in charge, everyone is in charge.
Power out of control can be worse than power centralization.

An example of decentralized power is the Middle-East...and look how violent their history is. Constant in-fighting, one "revolution" after another, power grabbing through murder and intimidation etc.
It is unfortunate - but man's constant desire for power needs kept in check.

[Lydiaswingert]

As does anyone...ideally.

Trouble is when no one is in charge, everyone is in charge.
Power out of control can be worse than power centralization.

An example of decentralized power is the Middle-East...and look how violent their history is. Constant in-fighting, one "revolution" after another, power grabbing through murder and intimidation etc.
It is unfortunate - but man's constant desire for power needs kept in check.

You do that by strengthening democratic institutions and by the genuine education of the masses, not by putting tremendously concentrated power into the hands of war profiteers.

But don't take my word for it, take it from two-time Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Major General Smedley D. Butler:

War Is A Racket

[BJEugene]

You do that by strengthening democratic institutions and by the genuine education of the masses, not by putting tremendously concentrated power into the hands of war profiteers.

But don't take my word for it, take it from two-time Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Major General Smedley D. Butler:

War Is A Racket

So do you chastize FDR-Truman-LBJ, as War Racketeers or does your Liberal loyalty want only to try and blame Bush-Reagen?? I have a bunch of Euros, in case I want to go to Monte Carlo, wanna go along......she is going to have to LIKE me(Sandara Bullock)

[Cajlwdvx]

If we're smart, we'll seek a world in which there are no superpowers.

Are you delirious? It's apparent you don't have any real world experience so I shouldn't be to hard on you. I've traveled europe and mingled with the people. The thought of being under the control of a few leaders across the world is sickening. What the h*ll do you think the founding fathers of this great country fought against? And with one swoop you and your ilk would tear that down in some childish and impracticable dream.

Varus

[icerrelmCam]

Only stupid if concentration of power is our goal.

It would be stupid because in theory Pogo's suggestion would put us on equal footing as countries like North Korea, Iran, Syria, etc., nations that have fundamentalist governments that are threats to the rest of the world.

There is nothing wrong with a nation or a few nations being more powerful, particular a country like the U.S., who can keep the peace throughout the world when needed. Not that I agree with the Monroe Doctrine, but that is the role we have taken.

[annouhMus]

If we're smart, we'll seek a world in which there are no superpowers.

Or perhaps one world nation like a world-wide United States.

[jessyhalm]

It would be stupid because in theory Pogo's suggestion would put us on equal footing as countries like North Korea, Iran, Syria, etc., nations that have fundamentalist governments that are threats to the rest of the world.

There is nothing wrong with a nation or a few nations being more powerful, particular a country like the U.S., who can keep the peace throughout the world when needed. Not that I agree with the Monroe Doctrine, but that is the role we have taken.

I have no problem with countries working together to take on a common goal and combining their power to take on such countries. I would rather they spent as much energy getting rid of all nuclear weapons rather than those of nations we don't like presently. Just because India and Pakistan are our friends at the moment doesn't mean they always will be. But that's another topic.

[Grizli]

So, what ever happened to the British Empire?

How'd that work-out for 'em?

[BJEugene]

So, what ever happened to the British Empire?

How'd that work-out for 'em?

In the last 250 years who did America ever take over? Puerto Rico is a possession, Alaska is how bright the damned Russians are, but basically all America has ever done is help Nations and Continents and leave! How does Move On or other ingrate Left Wing bastards see it, I would like to know? Maybe Fat Moore has an answer, or James Carvile, Ward Churchich, or any Radical fucking Coward Liberal Stalinist bastard!!

[orillaVar]

Of course, and one where everyone gives flowers to each other every morning too.
But that ain't gonna happen.

What the America bashers never think of is the real value of America to the world is what is NOT happening...

Europe is completely safe from any kind of invasion without having to spend gargantuan funds to support a bunch of individual armies large enough to protect each country on it's own - like it has been for 100's of years. Europe now has the HUGE benefit of having the protection of a military - THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. As does Canada, Mexico and a variety of other countries - the U.S. military keeps 3/4 of the world safe from war.

Lies. And not so smart lies, for that matter.
If you want to talk about this, go to the military debriefing and set up a thred.

[citicroego]

European's are a bunch of fagots lead by the mother of fagots, the French. The Euro will not last very long.

[Gedominew]

In the last 250 years who did America ever take over? Puerto Rico is a possession, Alaska is how bright the damned Russians are, but basically all America has ever done is help Nations and Continents and leave! How does Move On or other ingrate Left Wing bastards see it, I would like to know? Maybe Fat Moore has an answer, or James Carvile, Ward Churchich, or any Radical fucking Coward Liberal Stalinist bastard!!

Anyone remember how we aqcuired the Phillipines?

[Grizli]

Ironman(#36),

List is lengthy. but just off memory:

Nicarauga.
Dominican Republic.
Hawaii (read the history).
Phillipines.
Many more by proxy gov't installed by coup.