The U.S. appears to be fast getting isolated in the world.

[CoffeeAnnan]

It is already a pariah in most of the islamic world except for stooge regimes like Egypt and Saudi Arabia.It is completely isolated from old allies in Europe.Now, Russia is spearheading an effort to form an alliance with China, India and Brazil.

Our economic isolation from some of the world's fastest growing economies will lead to a contraction in our economic power.Add to that the growing power of China and its ability to dictate economic terms in Asia including Japan and Australia and you have a situation similar to what the Nazis faced after their initial euphoria of military victories started wearing off.They found themselves arrayed against Britain, the U.S. and Russia, three of the biggest powers at that time.In fact the control of his far flung conquests became for the Nazi dictator a drain on his resources and he was scrambling just to feed his once mighty military machine.

I am not optimistic that we will have sane voices coming to the forefront and challenging our basic assumptions.Only a catastrophic change in either our military or economic situation will have the desired effect.In the case of Britain, this was provided by the bankruptcy of the country at the end of WWII which resulted in their withdrawal from their Empire outposts including India.

A similar situation has to develop before the fatal fascination we have developed with war can be cured.

[mcscajun]

1. More than just a fatal fascination with war...

...also the fatal fascination we (meaning the vast American populace) have with our country's identity as being the best, the biggest, the most developed, best place to live, etc., etc., etc.

[JaneDoughnut]

2. There's a good bumper sticker

"Nationalism Kills"

[CoffeeAnnan]

3. good point.I don't know which came first.Our macho image or our

fascination with war.Both of them form a deadly duo on our psychic
makeup.

[knowbody0]

4. repeat a lie often enough it becomes fact

no one even hears words in the national anthem: and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. p fuckin u

[superconnected]

5. They don't care about the economy, it an evil plot to SINK our economy

Why would they care about business, they never had a plan to fix the deficit. If they did fix the deficit it would be called the Better Education Act and end public schools.

Isn't it cool how the two countries that supported bushes nomination
were red china and russia. Interesting when they call liberals "unamerican" and act like we believe in communism.

[izzie]

6. I think the world will just sort of work around us.

Look at Asia and EU. They are growing and not wasting all their money on an army. They are also educated people in science and we, as a country, are cutting back education unless you are rich.They have better education, health care and pensions and working habits. I think we are just getting behind. We are no. one in arms. With our decline in reason, we will have a decline in power.

[orpupilofnature57]

7. The problem is the fascination,with our status quo mentality, safe ha ha