Does the prospect of becoming a lesser nation scare you?

That might seem a silly question, but it certainly frightens me. (That might also seem a silly thing to fear.) I hear all these things about American education being poor and the technological advances we haven't made yet, and I worry that we're going to fall far behind the rest of the world, relegated to a second-world country. I see decadence and foolishness and inanity consuming peoples' lives, and I worry that we're going to fall harder than the Roman Empire. (Insert your country of choice in place of "America."😉

That's not something I'm ready to face.

So, am I just crazy, or do other people think like that, too?

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
but it certainly frightens me.

Way to illustrate that you have no idea how to live like the rest of the world; like most of the world.

😂

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
That might seem a silly question, but it certainly frightens me. (That might also seem a silly thing to fear.) I hear all these things about American education being poor and the technological advances we haven't made yet, and I worry that we're going to fall far behind the rest of the world, relegated to a second-world country. I see decadence and foolishness and inanity consuming peoples' lives, and I worry that we're going to fall harder than the Roman Empire. (Insert your country of choice in place of "America."😉

That's not something I'm ready to face.

So, am I just crazy, or do other people think like that, too?

YouTube video

😂

Touché.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
That might seem a silly question, but it certainly frightens me. (That might also seem a silly thing to fear.) I hear all these things about American education being poor and the technological advances we haven't made yet, and I worry that we're going to fall far behind the rest of the world, relegated to a second-world country. I see decadence and foolishness and inanity consuming peoples' lives, and I worry that we're going to fall harder than the Roman Empire. (Insert your country of choice in place of "America."😉

How unfortunate. Just leave the US and get citizenship in a country that isn't in an inescapable downward spiral.

The understood aristocracy exist everywhere. Not much you can do about that alone.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
That might seem a silly question, but it certainly frightens me. (That might also seem a silly thing to fear.) I hear all these things about American education being poor and the technological advances we haven't made yet, and I worry that we're going to fall far behind the rest of the world, relegated to a second-world country. I see decadence and foolishness and inanity consuming peoples' lives, and I worry that we're going to fall harder than the Roman Empire. (Insert your country of choice in place of "America."😉

That's not something I'm ready to face.

So, am I just crazy, or do other people think like that, too?

Never fear, Hillary's here 💃 💃 💃

😐

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
How unfortunate. Just leave the US and get citizenship in a country that isn't in an inescapable downward spiral.

What? And miss all the excitement?

wow. i mean, of all the things to FEAR, you fear THAT. i think it may have a bit to do with the fact that the domestic media in america makes it look like all hell will break lose and life as americans know it will end if america stops being "top dog". your certainly not alone in thinking like that zeal, a LOT of americans think along similar lines, which is partially the reason that they are threatened so much by outside influences and cultures replacing their own influence. honestly it isnt too bad, not being top dog i mean. just look at the wrest of the world, it manages fine{atleast in this respect}.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
That might seem a silly question, but it certainly frightens me. (That might also seem a silly thing to fear.) I hear all these things about American education being poor and the technological advances we haven't made yet, and I worry that we're going to fall far behind the rest of the world, relegated to a second-world country. I see decadence and foolishness and inanity consuming peoples' lives, and I worry that we're going to fall harder than the Roman Empire. (Insert your country of choice in place of "America."😉

That's not something I'm ready to face.

So, am I just crazy, or do other people think like that, too?

Rome didn't fall (like crash) per se, it was slowly sold out from under the Roman citizen's noses and chipped away by foreigners. Hey, wait...

The world is a much better place with America (re: The Western World) as it's superpower

does anyone REALLY think that China or Russia or where ever would be better? Yes, America has problems, but if it is no longer at the forefront of both science and technology, really terrible nations, where freedoms are oppressed in real ways (like ministers being killed) have the potential to dominate the world.

I agree with feceman, there are some major things to be worried about with the decline of American power.

^mixing idealism with practicality is a grave error. the position that you describe america to take only exists in the idealistic world of a few people. in practical affect and decision making, america is no different from the nations you mentioned. INTERNALLY it may be different/better than those nations, but as far as its position for the wrest of the world goes, its the same old "NATIONAL INTERESTS" that every other stupid powerhungry country has. i dont think much wud change.

While it is all speculation, given how international affairs are currently run, I can't imagine China and Chinese organizations doing as much for human rights abroad as America does.

I wouldn't even necessarily argue that America does more good than bad in the world, but the idea that they aren't more moral than the Chinese or Russians when looking at international affairs is untrue, imho. Look at Russian vs America military occupations.

This ignores the economy

Originally posted by inimalist
The world is a much better place with America (re: The Western World) as it's superpower

does anyone REALLY think that China or Russia or where ever would be better? Yes, America has problems, but if it is no longer at the forefront of both science and technology, really terrible nations, where freedoms are oppressed in real ways (like ministers being killed) have the potential to dominate the world.

I agree with feceman, there are some major things to be worried about with the decline of American power.

I remember some guy on a program saying that if China get in control we'll be begging for the good old days with America.....if China get in control were ****ed. People may b*tch about America, but it seems China really does not give a ****

For instance:

While western trade embargoes are broken by American corporations, they can be fined and prosecuted for such actions (and sometimes are).

Chinese corporations and government (many times one in the same) do business with truly despotic regimes without any censure from their citizens and without concealment. One of the big ones is China and their support of the Sudanese government.

not really. vietnam, the balkan conflict, kuwaut/iraq/iran wars, palestinian israeli conflict, north korean conflicts, assistance in many african wars/genocides directly or allowance through private firms. i think america has done more than its fair share, as to easily be on comparing grounds with russia and china.

agreed, as far as number. But compare, the financial support for Israel vs the direct occupation of Tibet or Chechnya. I agree with you 1000% leo, when it comes to saying that the Americans have done terrible and immoral things. They should be held to justice for them.

But to jump from that to saying that a world dominated by either Russia or China would be preferred, I think ignores just how evil these nations are.

For instance, the Chinese have financed just as many guerilla movements as the Americans have, and China has a lot of blood on its hands from Vietnam, just you know, they massacred the south Vietnamese.

While I'm sure we could each make shopping lists of atrocities for these nations, I'd say its even less important than the fact that America has an open economy, which benefits even the smallest and poorest nations, and America has a constitution which does entitle its people to some rights, and restricts (compared to Russia or China) government actions.

What is the American Tiananmen Square? Who is the American Mao? The Fallun Gong? Or what about Chechnya? Which American state is being occupied as such?

Within the next decade, China is going to be forced into war for resources. If you think America goes to war with little regard for civilians, just wait.

Originally posted by queeq
😂

Did you assume I didn't realize he was being sarcastic?

I think what people should fear most right now is a One World Government. Not for the sake of it by itself, but because of the people who would end up running it.

Watch what would happen when countries can't point fingers at eachother anymore because they are all stuck in the same shitstorm.