American decline?

JWR ^ | 4-21-05 | Victor Davis Hanson

[FlyLow]

For over a century European intellectuals have predicted the decline of the United States. The German philosophers Hegel, Nietzsche and Spengler saw Western democracy and capitalism as pernicious — the unfortunate wages of a classical civilization that had lavished upon natural man too much wealth and indulgence.

Later the Nazis bragged that they were descendants of untainted Germanic tribes of old, and promised that poorly-disciplined American "cowboys" wouldn't stand a chance against their Panzers. The Japanese militarists claimed that their ultra-nationalist Bushido code would give them an edge over the "decadent" GIs.

During the Cold War, hardcore socialists pontificated that the (soon-to-collapse) Soviet Union was ascendant, inasmuch as it had realized Karl Marx's triumphant New Man who was reborn from the ashes of capitalism.

In President Jimmy Carter's days of "national malaise," the state-subsidized industries of Japan, Inc. were supposedly making us all wage slaves to Sony and Toyota — until the Asian financial meltdown.

Now a new generation of pessimists is warning that it is the turn of the European Union, flush with trade surpluses, a small defense budget and a strong Euro. Larger in size than us, with a greater population, a better educated youth and a supposedly more humane social net, will Europe gradually nudge the United States from its world preeminence? Or does the new Asian axis of 2 billion in China and India instead foretell American decline?

Some long-term indicators here at home are indeed worrisome. The deficit is again spiraling. Our trade debt is enormous. The dollar is weak. Materialistic Americans are buying more consumer goods than their global scorecard might otherwise warrant — all predicated on borrowed money from Asia that could be recalled with little warning.

[roses of sharon]

W did so well because he is a good man who loves this country, and with men on the ground overseas, the public was willing to give him more time.

But, the elites who run this country, still run this country, and until our reps in DC, who after all have the power of the purse, legislation and the judiciary,
figuratively spit in their eye, give them the finger, and absolutely refuse to speak with them, ignore their protestations, and say to themselves, "Why would I speak to, listen to, sit on the Sunday morning show of a DNC organization"?

Senators and House members should be at home, in a perpetual campaign of educating their public, explaining their views, taking questions, listening, getting ideas, appearing on local stations, and concentrating on their constituent services.

Getting into battle of words and editorials on Timm Russert show, does them no good, and shows them in a consistent defensive mode, which is normal when being interviewed by national liberals.

Constituent services, staying close to your constituents, is the only way to change the way the public comes to their views, from the bottom up.

Plus, it will give them more strength.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

the European Union, flush with trade surpluses, a small defense budget

We could fix that right quick.

[Tolik]

    Victor Davis Hanson Ping ! 

       Let me know if you want in or out

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

will Europe gradually nudge the United States from its world preeminence?

If Europe's declining demographics continue, no.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Anyways, the US will always be at the top as long as internal rot doesn't take place.

Our astronomical debt is a sure precursor of internal rot.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

This is the case with China and even worse for India? So why do we keep overrating these two countries?

Because they have very promising potential and big populations to go along with it.

[kellynla]

BTTT

[jveritas]

Yeah but when 90 to 95% of the population live in extreme poverty where is the promise it is only but a huge disaster.

Imagine that out of 300 million Americans 270 million of them struggle to have two meals a day. What do you think our situation will be?

PS: When China and India reach the point where you can open your mouth in the shower when visiting these countries and not getting sick for two weeks, then it will be their first step of being called "developed nations" but they will still be far away from being called superpowers.

[lancer]

public school system creating semi-literites

The spell-checker is your friend: literates.

[Pillows]

The only way America will decline is if the democrats get back in power. If dims are in power, America declines until the reps get in power and fix the resulting damage.

Like the circle of Life in America....

[Paul_Denton]

As long as we have enough nukes to destroy the world I am not too concerned.

We do have to get out of these stupid arms-reduction treaties and develop new nukes.

[FreedomPoster]

>>So let's make a plan, what can we do about it?

Privately school or home school out kids. In fact, many of us are already doing it.

[wizr]

Thanks for the ping. I hope he's right.

[bitt]

bttt!

[nosofar]

As long as we have enough nukes to destroy the world I am not too concerned.

Personally, I would be rather opposed to destroying the world considering that's where I happen to be living at the moment.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Makes you wonder if it's a devious plan by the Liberals to put Democrats as plants as Republicans.

[Delphinium]

I have wondered that for along time. I know that atleast 2 RINOS who are now in high places in Idaho government were always members of the Democrat party until they ran for office. It is a well know fact that to get elected in Idaho, you must be a Republican.

[expatguy]

There is no lower we can go.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[who knows what evil?]

It is a well know fact that to get elected in Idaho, you must be a Republican.

That may be changing. A Coeur d'Alene paper published a recent article about the resurrection of the Democrat Party in Idaho...a LOT of Californians coming to town...Californians who vote DEMOCRAT.

[Billthedrill]

Personally, I would be rather opposed to destroying the world considering that's where I happen to be living at the moment.

Yeah, yeah. It's all about me. What about the dolphins, huh?

(I'm not entirely sure what that means but it's a pretty sure-fire conversation stopper. What you do, see, is ask that question and hit the door before anyone can ask you what the heck you meant by it. Works every time.)