If you were unnerved by the debt ceiling spectacle of the last month, where America came across like a Third World nation, get used to it. It’s a sign of things to come. Americans often talk about our uniqueness, of how we are a shining example to the world. When it comes to providing freedom to its citizens they are right. But when it comes to acting responsibly they are dead wrong.
There is no law that superpowers remain superpowers forever. In fact the opposite has always–always–proven true. Superpowers collapse under the weight of their own hubris and empire building. Remember when the sun never set on the British Empire? Of course not, it was too long ago.
Substitute the United States for the British Empire and you can predict the future of our country. We have gotten fat as a nation, both literally and figuratively. We want it all now and are unwilling to make any sacrifices.
Liberals, or Progressives as they prefer to be called now, think we can spend our way to prosperity and provide a massive social net for our weakest citizens. That’s a nice concept but the longer we delay difficult cuts to social programs just puts off more massive cuts in the future. Our current rate of borrowing is unsustainable so sacrifices have to be made now.
Conservatives think we can cut our deficit through spending cuts alone but simple math should tell them that is impossible. They love to make cuts to programs like Planned Parenthood; but those cuts are infinitesimal in relation to the total amount of spending that needs to be eliminated.
I applaud the Tea Party for focusing attention on our nation’s unsustainable debt but they’ve been drinking some of the crazy juice too. They are against raising taxes, which is just a selfish way of saying they don’t feel like paying debts which this country has already incurred. They call the debt “Democratic” debt, ignoring that a huge chunk of it was built up during the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan and both Bushes.
The debt is neither Republican nor Democratic but American. We all owe it and we all have to pitch in to pay it back. That is one of the reasons that the Bush tax cuts need to be eliminated for everyone. But that would require a sense of maturity and self-sacrifice on the part of Americans that is woefully lacking these days.
By the way, the Chinese economy is estimated to pass the US economy in 2016, much sooner than had previously been expected. Sometime thereafter they will become the only global superpower. The politicians need to chew on that one while they are in a tizzy over cuts to domestic spending and a modest tax increase.
Couldn’t agree more — hegemony never lasts. And I think the British empire serves as a great example, their fall from superpowerdom occurring simultaneously with the rise of American hegemony following WWII.
If I may, I think you might enjoy reading “A Brief History of Neoliberalism” – but perhaps you’re familiar with this one already? It’s not exactly middle of the road, but does a great job summarizing the trade off between British and American hegemony, as well as fore-casting the changes to come..
Thanks for stopping by my blog today,
Elise
Posted by Elise Hahn Photography | August 3, 2011, 10:18 amThanks for checking in.
Posted by Thomas | August 3, 2011, 2:53 pmPlatitudes.
These observations are so yesterday.
This isn’t 1870, 1920, or 1950.
America isn’t on it’s meteoric ride to the pinnacle of world respect and admiration.
The good times and prosperity are GONE!
Your attitude is one of “Come on guys, we gotta do this so lets get on with it”.
AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN.
From my perspective; IT’S OVER!
I hope to hell I am wrong and that you are right, but if I were a betting man………
I think we have passed the tipping point and are just waiting for the crack up.
Tuck in, it’s gonna be a rough ride.
Posted by Jamie Walker | August 7, 2011, 9:41 amYou got the rough ride part right. Thanks for checking in.
Posted by Thomas | August 7, 2011, 2:54 pmI apologize for being so “blunt” in my first response, I had a bad day.
I do still stand by what I posted though; I don’t believe we CAN pull together to get out of this one.
We CAN pull together to create something different though, and that is where I see a glimmer of hope.
It is a very fickle thing. When I am out and about I see storefronts of strip malls (which I have always held in contempt anyway) papered over or just plain empty. For several miles in a row this is quite common.
Yet, the restaurants are usually hopping, and some of the stores are full of shoppers, but I assume it must be the people who aren’t paying attention (and ironically MAY be the country’s salvation since they are keeping the economy floating during this “lull”).
I look at our country from many perspectives, health of it’s population-D (D=decline/ing), infrastructure-D, health of it’s environment-D, health of it’s food supply-D (Food inc. in on PBS tonight, Tues, Aug. 09/11. Do watch it.).
All of the indicators of a healthy country, ready to compete in the world economy, point to a big FAT zero.
It IS going to take the likes of people like US, who care about what’s going on, and inform ourselves of the perils and opportunities ahead, to REBUILD after the crash.
As doom and gloom as my writing my sound, I actually look forward to the collapse so that we CAN start the rebuilding process. An era of cooperation between all concerned and effected, and affected.
Posted by Jamie Walker | August 9, 2011, 9:02 amNo worries. These are blunt times. Come back again.
Posted by Thomas | August 9, 2011, 2:36 pmI feel like everything I read nowadays (including this blog post) about American crises makes the same inflammatory claim. Currently, it’s not enough to say that we’re in crisis or that a terrible thing happened. It’s “the new normal”, news features and blogs often say. It could be the economy, terrorist attacks, the health care crisis, or tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes: I feel like the prominent message is becoming “FROM NOW ON, IT’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THIS BAD!”, and continued natural disasters and permanent national decline are inevitable.
Sometimes I agree that America embarked several years ago on its massive, inexorable decline, proven over and over again by the empires of history. I’m just as frustrated as the next independent voter (and many partisans). But I also wish we could talk and write about our current crises (and possible solutions) without the fatalistic headlines declaring that we’re doomed.
Posted by Alaina Mabaso | August 8, 2011, 1:08 pmAlaina, while your wish is commendable, and I can contribute on some level (as per the possible solutions), there really are few independent economists who will disagree that we ARE IN FACT doomed, as least to the fates we have already sealed thus far.
My personal “solution” is to get away from the corporations as much is humanly possible.
STOP buying factory pharmed meats, eggs, vegetables, dairy, and pharmaceuticals.
Stop using electricity as much as possible, and ESPECIALLY STOP USING GASOLINE.
It WILL be difficult to do since it is all pervasive/invasive, but do it we MUST!
Every dollar you spend counts MORE than your vote at the polls.
With money from the multitudes, they are empowered.
We have to starve them, STRANGLE them if we must, from the teat of economic and political wealth.
We take our money back from their pockets and they are rendered impotent.
Ever hear of Transition town? goog them.
We CAN win our country back.
Posted by Jamie Walker | August 9, 2011, 9:25 amIf you really want to skip fatalistic headlines then avoid Fox News. They won’t say anything positive as long as Obama is president. The current market meltdown plays right into their hands.
Posted by Thomas | August 9, 2011, 2:40 pmI generally avoid most rabidly partisan channels and publications, Fox News included – which means I may be missing out on the vast majority of reporting in America. Actually I rarely watch TV at all. The only publication I read religiously, cover to cover, is “The Week”. It’s a collection of editorial and journalistic excerpts on US and international affairs, literature, science, products, business, real estate, the arts, and more. It approaches each controversy with excerpts across the political spectrum. You should check it out if you haven’t already.
Posted by Alaina Mabaso | August 10, 2011, 4:12 pmCame over from Snoring Dog. Like what you’re saying. I’d say we’re going the way of the Roman Empire.
Posted by Hansi | August 11, 2011, 9:00 amIt’s bread and circuses all over again. Thanks for checking in.
Posted by Thomas | August 15, 2011, 11:37 pm