Is America in decline and why?

[Suburbia]

On the Fox News channel, the commentators on the Five said that America is in decline. Is there too much immigration, less military power (according to Fox News), lawlessness, or is America just going through a change?

[ElectionsGuy]

On the Fox News channel, the commentators on the Five said that America is in decline. Is there too much immigration, less military power (according to Fox News), lawlessness, or is America just going through a change?

I'm literally listening to Bill O'Reilly in the background as I respond to this thread, and he's talking about the exact same thing. Their just ideologues who are fear mongering in order to get their way, I wouldn't worry about it.

[H. Ross Peron]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

[SWE]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Yes to all three options.

[Donerail]

Yes (other)

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

[AggregateDemand]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

Neoliberalism never ascended, except at the ballot box and in the public consciousness. The Great Society is bigger than ever. Last Social Security reform was 30 years ago. Medicare costs more than any other public healthcare system and delivers shorter life expectancy. Poverty-stricken Americans still have 90% effective tax rates. Corporate income taxes are still being passed along to American workers. The US still spends 60% more for healthcare than the next most profligate nation.

Liberals are their own worst nightmare. Once upon a time, the government was sedentary, gaunt and in need of calories. Now the government is sedentary, morbidly-obese and in need of rigorous diet and exercise.

Liberals claim this is a conspiracy to wipe them out. Laughable

[AggregateDemand]

America is in steep decline because our government doesn't bother to educate the citizenry. The citizens never realize that we already have the money to do what we need to do, but the government has their little pork-barreled pet projects. They squander the money, cause labor outsourcing, and then teach people to blame the private sector.

[Bojack Horseman]

No, and I find it hilarious those that said America would "cease to exist" if Obama was re-elected. So Canada and Mexico were going to share a border?

[Redalgo]

No - American society is not synonymous with the government of the United States. I consider Americans in general to be drifting toward greater suspicion of state power, tolerance of diversity, dissatisfaction with both major parties, skepticism towards organized religion, and diminished prejudice towards socialist ideas. With the passage of a few generations I expect the United States to become more social democratic and perhaps to struggle with curbing excess consumption, debt, and disregard for the environment. But one way or another I think things are going to turn out alright.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

[Franzl]

Yes. If only a real conservative were in power, America might be saved.

[tik 🪀✨]

Is there too much immigration

Are there too many new immigrants? What? Is that a thing now? Or did you mean undocumented immigrants? Why would that be bad? Is it because it threatens some kind of homogenous American culture? I am so confused. You can tell because I just asked several questions.

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Also not really clear on what this is supposed to mean. Our military has fewer personnel? There is less of a military presence in the daily American life? We aren't sacrificing like we did during older periods of war? Is "America" defined in a major way by its military?

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Man. Lawlessness. It's so commonplace, it's practically a law these days. People are just.. you know.. speeding around in their cars.. and, uh.. the violent crime rate is decreasing.. and.. yeah. It's just insane.

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Everything is constantly going through a change. So some people think America is "in decline" which is so mind-numbingly broad of an idea that it's impossible to reply substantially in any way whatsoever unless you're going to get specific. In decline. Christ. I had an erection before I tabbed to this thread. I guess you could say my penis is in decline. Surely all hope is lost. Or maybe I'll just go back to that other tab..

[TNF]

Yes because of the rise of neoliberalism, the power of the corporatist oligarchy, the dismantling of the New Deal-Great Society consensus etc. etc.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

We're in decline for a whole host of reasons. However, like a corpse, we will manage to stay afloat for quite some time until the principles of osmosis or whatever cause us to fall below the tide.

[Del Tachi]

The world's largest economy and third-most populous country just doesn't go into terminal decline without some sort of major global realignment.  Not even the Global Financial Crisis has provided for that, and nothing short of World War III would - a World War III that, as of right now, the United States would be poised to win.

Honestly, the United States is probably stronger now that it has ever been.   

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The principal reason America is in decline is because of threads like this.

[AggregateDemand]

Honestly, the United States is probably stronger now that it has ever been.    

Debt/GDP in excess of 100% and slowly closing a trade deficit of roughly 5% GDP. You have to be completely oblivious to think the US is in a stronger position now than during the past.

[Del Tachi]

Honestly, the United States is probably stronger now that it has ever been.   

Debt/GDP in excess of 100% and slowing closing a trade deficit of roughly 5% GDP. You have to be completely oblivious to think the US is in a stronger position now than during the past.

Strength does not occur in a vacuum.  It is a relative term?

Which nation(s) are usurping the United States' role as undisputed world leader?

[AggregateDemand]

Strength does not occur in a vacuum.  It is a relative term?

Which nation(s) are usurping the United States' role as undisputed world leader?

What is the exercise of power? To rule over a globe of serfs?

This is the 21st century. Power is acquired by acting as an engine of innovation and economic growth. The US is currently the engine of global economic collapse.

[Del Tachi]

Strength does not occur in a vacuum.  It is a relative term?

Which nation(s) are usurping the United States' role as undisputed world leader?

What is the exercise of power? To rule over a globe of serfs?

This is the 21st century. Power is acquired by acting as an engine of innovation and economic growth. The US is currently the engine of global economic collapse.

The engine of global economic collapse?

We're still the world's largest economy, our universities and research facilities are second to none, we support the world's highest standard of living, our corporations have vast international presence, all of the world's developed and resource-rich nations are diplomatically and economically aligned with us, and our culture permeates and dominates every single continent.  Post-Cold War American represents the apogee of our national status.

Which nation is challenging us in this role?

[anvi]

Yes, it is in decline.  And that's both alright and deserved.  It's alright because the U.S. hasn't done anything unequivocally good on the world stage since we helped defeat Germany and Japan in the '40's; since then, we've screwed up lots of places and should scale back the global military presence already.  In terms of deserts, we'd rather throw spitballs at each other and still thump our chests with pride than do things to improve our situation, and a country that acts like that doesn't deserve to do well.  The well-being of a people as a whole matters more than concentrated wealth or dominating power, and until we get that, then our continued struggles are entirely appropriate.

[AggregateDemand]

The engine of global economic collapse?

We're still the world's largest economy, our universities and research facilities are second to none, we support the world's highest standard of living, our corporations have vast international presence, all of the world's developed and resource-rich nations are diplomatically and economically aligned with us, and our culture permeates and dominates every single continent.  Post-Cold War American represents the apogee of our national status.

Which nation is challenging us in this role?

Since stagflation, it's all been built on borrowed money, and since housing crisis, our only source of economic growth is the federal deficit.

What is your goal? To live in a McMansion that you can't afford, and that China will buy for pennies on the dollar after default? Japan is the only country who's beating us in that regard.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Where is the 'don't care' option?