[U.S.A.] We're not #1 - are the good days gone forever?

I'm talking about hegemony. To me that defines what is #1, not child mortality or Internet use. And China is the one country today that has even the potential to pull off a global hegemony like America still possesses. Not Brazil, which has had forecasts of being a power in the same way that we forecast the development of fusion. And not India, which simply lacks the nationalistic bent to pursue power for its own ends.

And excuse me, I literally can't stop laughing at TURKEY being the next super-state or ever outclassing the US. They're not even going to be the next regional power - that is Iran, which is why the US is against them and why in an ideal world I would like to establish better relations with them.

 

This is what happens when you don't invest in your infrastructure and invest in your future youth.

Too many presidents worrying about short-term fixer uppers to appease the voter base in order to get re-elected rather than invest in long-term solutions.

Almost forty years ago Jimmy Carter lectured us on how our dependency on foreign oil is going to bite us in the ass. Forty years later we're starting wars and paying high moral, monetary, and human casualties to obtain it. I've yet to see a single president truly invest in alternative fuel sources rather than just appease their voters and declare to drill more.

 

The debate isn't whether America has problems. The debate is whether America is number 1 (whatever that means). More people want to live in America than anywhere else. This statistic encompasses everything of value to individuals (education, job market, opportunity, freedom, rights, infrastructure, etc.). America wins hands down in the eyes of humans. This infuriates liberals.

 

Hegemons are established after unstable and turbulent periods of global conflict. For the sake of man kind, I truly hope the US hegemony doesn't fall because I don't think the world can stand another world war with the weapons that are available for use today.

 

No offense thad, but...and?

 

For now.

 

For once I agree with Tallanovor.
America has been billed the land of opportunity for years. Thanks to the wonders of chain migration ancestral immigrants will have told their families in their host countries for years about how they should move to America.

Regardless of how America fares I doubt the rapid influx of immigration will die anytime soon (unless of course America starts enacting quotas and closing borders once again).

 

It is new to me that the US does not use the quotas currently.

 

Well, harsher quotas.
Usually when public outcry against immigration builds up the end result of that is an attempted block up of immigration, temporarily.

 

The first 2 minutes are interestng, after that he goes on claiming that in the past it was so different, people had morals etc etc. That part was stupid. The US didn't 'help' Vietnam for moral reasons they helped because of selfish reasons.

Can you name countries were it is different? The is really no government which holds the countries interest above their parties interest.

 

The blind will always find a fitting adjective to denounce the truth with.

Smug truth is still truth.

I can't wait to leave this sinking ship. America is failing. No doubt about it.

 

where ya going?

 

One thing is for sure-- America will never remain near the very top of the countries of the world for say the bottom 90% if we just continue with the complete bullcra* of the philosophy of Ronald Reagan/libertarians and some conservatives of mindless government hate.

I haven't seen it too much lately,but until recently even half way intelligent moderates would claim claim that they were in favor of divided government and it is best to have grid lock like we have now.

 

The Eastern Bloc is nice this time of year I hear.

 

This is exactly what came to mind.... Have we ever really been number? At anything besides sports.

 

Wait what?? I'm liberal (for the most part) and I'm not "infuriated" by what you said. I'm proud of my country and think it's the best. But the truth is that in many important categories, we could be better.

What's wrong with identifying imperfections and trying to fix them?

 

I'll tell you whats worng with it!

You HATE Amurica!!!!

 

For all that thinks America sucks,...you have my permission to leave.

 

It all goes back to this country's government sucks at prioritizing spending, managing money, and taking care of the homefront. The system is corrupt and designed primarily for fighting wars, bribing other countries to do our bidding in the name of our own security, and trying to push a global agenda on the rest of the world. It is not about doing what is best for our own country's people. It's a corrupt system controlled by big business and the wealthy. We are just along for the ride and at the mercy of the few. It really doesn't matter who gets elected. The system is set in its ways. There won't be any major changes to how it works. There will always be enough money for the military and defense, though. No worries there. There just won't be enough left over to help the common people with things like education, modernization, etc. .

 

Nothing. That's not the debate. The debate is whether we are number 1. Sounds like you agree with me that the OP is wrong.