Americans see a US in decline, finds Pew survey (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

For the first time in 40 years, a majority of Americans say the US plays a less important and powerful role in the world than it did a decade ago.

The Pew survey also found that 70% of Americans saw the US as less respected than in the past, nearly the same (71%) as under President George W Bush.

More than half of Americans (52%) - for the first time in 50 years - said the US should "mind its own business".

Some 56% disapproved of President Barack Obama's foreign policy.

Fifty-three percent of the public felt the US played a less important or powerful role as a world leader than a decade previously. The last time more than half of the public held that view was in 1974.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25193054

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ah realization of imperial decline has now left the ivory tower....GOOODDDDD!!!!!

[KurtNYC]

2. They imply that "decline" is strictly about foreign policy.

It should be no surprise that people see being at war (prior to 1974, and "a decade ago&quot as being an "important and powerful role."

Perhaps being at war constantly IS decline.

[Purveyor]

3. Good. Tend to matters here at home while still saving a boatload of taxpayer debt. eom

[bemildred]

4. The US has been in decline since Vietnam.

Over-reaching does that.

[LuvNewcastle]

5. Anytime an economy depends upon waging war in order to remain healthy, it deserves to fail.

We have a vampire economy, and it's time to drive a stake through its heart.