Reply #16: empires don't always collapse..

[flaminbats]

About 200 years ago the United Kingdom and Spain slowly came to terms with the fact that a locally run commonwealth is far more sustainable than a limitless expanse of colonies. Yet Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the Soviet Union all learned the dangers of overreach through military defeat and economy disaster.

Will our government seek to maintain military dominance throughout world with no limits in sight? What will it take..a nuclear war, a military coup, or an economic disaster worse than the depression? Or will we start looking to other democracies and follow their example? Canada has an unnoticed military presence, yet how many terrorists or enemies in our world dream about nuking that country? Switzerland has little to worry about strategically..and yet their workers are among the best-payed, healthiest, and most highly educated to be found.

Our country has a bright future ahead if it follows the correct path, but that path will not be easy. Higher taxes, a lower national debt, and a greater willingness to work with new superpowers..like India and China. Or will we take the easy path..lower taxes, more borrowing, and simply taking democracy for granted without even voting? Time will tell, but our actions can still make a difference.