Reply #11: In more ways than one...

[arendt]

Read any of Kevin Philips' books on Wealth and Democracy.
He gives historical examples of the pathology of empire:
Spain, England, and now America.

Like Spain, we have become a bunch of hypocritical religious fanatics.
Like Spain, when the gold ran out, we borrowed to live beyond our means.
Like Spain, we had control of so much of the civilized world that
we scared everyone who feared us into cooperating against us.
Like Spain, our leadership is pig-headed, arrogant, and consumed
with "manly" virtues.
Like Spain, we are driving intellectuals and productive people
(like Chinese and Indian immigrants) to leave the country.

arendt