Ping
Have to disagree with author Hanson’s conclusion. We are in decline, and in large part that decline is caused by the same political Left that’s most talking about it. That’s about all today’s Left has to offer: criticizing the country while doing all it can to destroy it! There’s a difference between constructive and destructive criticism, but the Left and its institutions only know the destructive type.
It is our rotten public education system that is our downfall. John Taylor Gatto has not gotten much mention lately on this site, but for anyone who has not read him, his very insightful book can be read online. He makes a point that citizens of colonial times were better read than most today who have been through our education system.
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/index.htm
I like his attitude.
While this government is arguing about Speedy Gonzales, they are failing to drill in Alaska or build refineries (local govt. problem) to relieve foreign oil dependence, fight the Chinese poison attacks, cut spending and wasteful programs, SEAL THE BORDER, and control LEGAL immigration. While they battle, America slowly dies.
btt
Thus, their hero is "Billigula".
And that's not something to brag about. That's real trouble.
The author is correct that the U.S. still leads the world in innovation, freedom, fairness, etc. On the other hand, just because the rest of the world is worse, doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re not declining as a society. The Roman Empire in the 5th century was probably still a leading society compared to most of the rest of the world, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t declining. Does anyone here believe that American morals aren’t declining? And, as other have said, our educational system seems to be declining, as well.
The danger that Hansen seems to overlook, is that the Western elites see the West as indefensible, and undefendable - that is, it is not worth defending, and cannot be defended, therefore, they are trying to cozy up to the adversaries of the West. It is nothing new - Teddy reportedly tried to collaborate with the KGB to undermine the Reagan Administration, and others cozied up to Castro, et al. What is new is the large numbers of ordinary folks that they seem to have won over.
I see this as a result of the “long march” of the left into our institutions. They have taken over the media, academia, foundations, and large parts of the civil service. As a result they have huge resources at their disposal for bringing the folks to their point of view, and for frustrating the efforts of the opposition.
I see a danger of an American civil war within ten years. I say this, not as a disaster prediction, but, as a warning sign.
Not me. I have unbounded faith in America's future.
Victor Davis Hanson Ping !
Let me know if you want in or out.
Links: FR Index of his articles: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=victordavishanson
His website: http://victorhanson.com/
NRO archive: http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson-archive.asp
Pajamasmedia: http://victordavishanson.pajamasmedia.com/