Give the Devil Its due, sol2.
Can't argue with that statement one twit.
"Lets make it clear, the US has deindustrialized, gutted it's wealth production capacity, fragmented the national identity, opened up the government to hundreds of foreign powers all served by thousands of lobbyists, congressmen and administrators eager to sell our their country, and detoothed the military into a social engineering experimental nightmare."
Not anymore than one can argue the facts you've (again) so eloquently synopnized.
That sums-up precisely where we are, today.
"The facts Helprin provided are indisputable."
Perhaps; but, then again?
There's also the spectre of common sense that'll need to be dealt with sooner or later; & right now?
Mine's telling me we're in some mighty deep kimchee.
Whether we as a nation choose to recognize [it] or not, is really quite irrelevent.
...since, we're already knee deep in it.