The Decline and Fall of the American Empire
POSTED BY: canttakesky
UPDATED: Monday, August 31, 2026 17:58
VIEWED: 3542
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Mincing, I have the same dichotomy. I love my country and root for her, but am ashamed of how she’s acted/is acting. As to the things that you mentioned were being focused on, of course that’s the case; betcha it has been for every empire. “Keep the populous focused somewhere else” is pretty common of dying empires or countries/governments in trouble. You expected us to be otherwise, politics having been politics the world over and throughout history? 
CTTS: the same, in a way. Some can’t see the big picture, some are just focused on their own lives, some don’t WANT to see the big picture, and some are firmly cemented in “I’ve got mine, fuck you” and figure they won’t be around when the crash comes. Humans...
Mike, the ego of Americans is well known, but also, every empire in history, I would bet, doesn’t notice it’s decline and goes on saying “We’re number one” until it hits them in the face. I don’t think we’re unique in that. Maybe, ‘cuz we’re younger, somewhat sillier in it, but...
Frem:Quote:
...or going backwards, i.e., the Tea Party...
Actually a more appropriate analogy is that they're all arguing whether to speed up or slow down
DT, I’ll agree to disagree. I believe differently.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off 
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Interesting article.
Also amusing, that Wulfie starts his "Declining Empire" and how wrong that notion isthread , with nary any actual evidence or thought, and the wingnuts were quick to jump in with the "We're number 1" stuff.
Post an article that seriously discusses the issue, useing facts.... and golly, they just don't seem to want to talk.
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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Quote:
This surprises you exactly...why?
Wulfie starts his "Declining Empire" and how wrong that notion isthread , with nary any actual evidence or thought, and the wingnuts were quick to jump in with the "We're number 1" stuff.
Yes, I noticed the trend long ago, as did most of us. An actual valid point would be nice, but it doesn't seem they have ever felt the necessity of backing up their points.
Basically, they're hopeful of the Fox News method: Say something often enough, people will believe it. Which surprises any of us exactly...why?
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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I said "amusing" as it most certainly is not "surprising".
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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Ooops, sorry; I guess it was that you mentioned it at all to which I was responding.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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Quote:
Originally posted by mincingbeast:
Read this article several days ago with great interest. As an American, I feel no shame in rooting for America. Devil take the rest of this worthless world. Yet, as an American, I am ashamed of America.
As part of the rest of the worthless world, gee thanks for your support.
Maybe the world will be okay if America is not supreme but one of a number of players. Power in the hands of the few is not a good thing, IMO, and since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has had too much solitary clout in the world arena, politically, militarily and economically. In a way, that alone probably accounts for why the extremists turn their attention to the US.
A world arena that was a bit more level, had more players on an equal footing, I think that sounds quite livable.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
At the rate things are going, we'll be able to expand to every city in the country in the next couple years...
Well no shit, especially if our stores are the only place with power, working heat/ac and functional indoor plumbing.
Given what happens when a major city loses the infrastructure (as happened here in spots during the big blackout) if your store has those things, you WILL make bank, our local Meijers fired up the generators, shoved camping equipment, lights, batteries, and such out onto the floor in every spot they could fit it - not only did they make a mint that way, the people they made it off were HAPPY about it, cause they got the resources they needed, and a taste of stability, order and sanity in the bargain... not to mention having air conditioning helped, hot as it was.
By which time our seige equipment should be in stock and for just a little more we can offer an extended warranty, plus, if you act now - the package comes with a map and floorplans of the nearest gated community!
Which we're pulling security for, and will cut you to ribbons, then demand a performance bonus.
I'm tellin ya Mikey, this one is win-win in every possible direction.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
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How much does the US spend maintaining its 'empire' (by which we mean wars, and overseas bases)? I think it might spend more on tax cuts :-/
It's not personal. It's just war.
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Quote:
Originally posted by kpo:
How much does the US spend maintaining its 'empire' (by which we mean wars, and overseas bases)? I think it might spend more on tax cuts :-/
It's not personal. It's just war.
Well, the latest proposed tax cuts for the rich are said to have a price tag of $900 billion over the next two years, which is less than we spend on defense.
What strikes me in all this ballyhoo and hullaballoo is that we have two sides arguing at cross purposes, and nobody seeing the obvious. One side says we have to increase taxes so that we can continue spending like drunken sailors; the other side says we have to cut spending so we can cut taxes. What both sides seem to be completely overlooking (and what the teabaggers allegedly supported and ran on) is that when you have over FOURTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS of unsupported debt already, you really, really should be looking at cutting spending AND raising taxes.
Cutting deficits is a laudable goal and a fine idea. But cutting taxes by the exact same amount (even *IF* that were the proposal, which it isn't, not by a long shot) of any spending cuts gets you exactly nowhere in regards to the debt.
For some odd reason, people seem to think that the mountains of debt piled up by the Bush regime somehow just don't count - didn't count then, don't count now. The feeling seems to be that we just blow them off and don't even consider ever paying those debts.
Not sure how it works at y'all's houses, but in my place, when there's debt to pay down, I have to curb my spending habits AND put money specifically toward paying off that debt. Apparently my countrymen don't share such feelings of fiscal responsibility.
This Space For Rent!
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I don't know how accurate this is, but Wikipedia has some figures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_United_States
It says $663.8 billion per year.
Here is how that budget compares to other countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditure
s
Can't Take (my gorram) Sky
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Everything I say is just my opinion, not fact.
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