[americanophile]

A breakup of our democracy would be civil war, and that would require a complete failure of our democratic system....there would be nothing but ashes. If it comes to that, I imagine all civilization will be reduced along with us...there is no post-democratic-American civilization...it's lights out for us all.

[Noumenon]

If it comes to that, I imagine all civilization will be reduced along with us...there is no post-democratic-American civilization...it's lights out for us all.

That is my most pessimisstic estimate as well. Another Dark Ages. For who knows how long. Unfortunately, it seems the moer likely of the alternatives - unless we can find the courage to end this regime with a stunning and brutal finality. De Opresso Liber.

We pride ourselves on how rational and civilized we are. It's a facade that will dissolve overnight. Not everyone, and not everywhere. But almost.

[magooey]

A breakup of our democracy would be civil war, and that would require a complete failure of our democratic system....there would be nothing but ashes. If it comes to that, I imagine all civilization will be reduced along with us...there is no post-democratic-American civilization...it's lights out for us all.

The threat of nuclear Civil War may strangely keep matters from taking the worst turns. Just like during the Cold War, MAD kept the major players in line, with most of the bloodshed on the periphery.

We are assuming rational actors too, not Mohammedan fanatics. Obama becomes a wild card if he is willing to use nukes to preserve his rule.