This is totally nitpicking as we're not far from agreement, but I don't think that's the case. A poll of people would disagree. Restaurants are full, stock market is up. The jobs market, while not healthy, is not in a catastrophic state. It's tough, but more are succeeding than not. The top level numbers are fine for now. As I mentioned earlier, band-aids are holding it together. We've been on decline for awhile. The 80/90s boom was a temporary hold on things, but now we're sliding fast. It's evident as culturally and voting wise, it's a majority now of 'if it feels good, do it'. That is not new, but when we see marriage destroyed and states voting for pot on the streets, etc. There's little chance you could find a majority to fix medicare or medicaid or social security because they are unable to think critically. Same on foreign policy. We're letting the world literally blow up around us because it's 'none of our business'.
You are saying we collapsed already and have been for a long time, I see it as a tipping point situation, where we are either just before or just after the tipping point. The question is, can it be saved?
How do you mean "on the streets"? I thought that's where it was before legalization - whereas legalization puts it in regulated and zoned storefronts.