I realize reality is different than the hypotheticals I keep proposing, but they’re just that: hypotheticals. In reality of course empires have proven to be unsustainable. History provides many examples of this. As far as social programs being cut, it saddens me to admit that you are right and that people rarely give up their handout.
It’ll definitely be interesting to see how events unfold in the next few decades.
Heck, it'll be interesting to see how the next four years unfolds.