Is the USA a nation in decline?

[Mobilesport]

Asking "Is the USA a nation in decline?" is roughly akin to asking if ice is cold.

The USA is bankrupt. If not for massive currency creation, our GDP would have been negative every year since 2007. If interest rates ever move off their artificial lows, interest on debt combined with reduced revenues will consume the federal budget. Never mind social security, medicare or anything else - interest on the debt will eat us alive.

Currency creation has produced an illusion of renewed prosperity, but financial bubbles are NOT wealth for the little guy. Never have been - never will be.

The US dollar is the reserve currency of the world. It was taken off the gold standard in 1971. On average (over the last several hundred years/dozen or so currencies) reserve currencies have only lasted 40 years after going fiat. Right on schedule, the world has begun abandoning the dollar for trade.  This has massive implications for our standard of living, including those of us who have already cut expenses to the bone.

Corruption is rampant. The 1% (the .001%, actually) rule this land. The real power is vested in people whose names are largely unknown. Among the functionaries we're more familiar with, there is a revolving door between Wall Street, Washington and the big corporate boardrooms. The only newsworthy aspect would be if someone at that level of power WASN'T corrupt.

Don't infer from this that I'm anti-free market capitalism, either. What we've had - since long before I was born - is the antithesis of a free market. (As they say, we really ought to try capitalism before we condemn it!)

Another downturn is coming. It may be our last, it may not. You never know what it will take to finally extinguish people's faith in our fake economy. What I can tell you is that the nest downturn will likely read like a news report out of Cyprus and/or Greece. The Fed has already implemented the "bail in" rule
for American banks, meaning that next time around banks can bail themselves out using OUR deposits.

Also, the government has been hungrily eyeing qualified plan assets (IRA's, 401K's, etc.) for years, with plans to nationalize these accounts and take those assets - replacing them with IOU's and guarantees just as rock solid as the lies that underpin social security today.

Don't look for further currency creation to help much next time, either. The effectiveness of the "we're drowning in debt so we need to go deeper into debt to save ourselves" paradigm is running out of steam.

All this monetization has been powerfully inflationary. It was intended to, to protect bank balance sheets. It doesn't matter to them that cost of living has soared as a result. To them, we're just a crop to perpetually harvest. If they were honest, inflation would be called dilution. Why? When you print more dollars, you dilute the ones already out there. Then, it takes more dollars to buy something! Nothing actually costs more - your dollars are just worth less!

Anyway, after inflation comes deflation, and it can come hard and fast.

Then, are you worried about health care? You should be! If car repair worked the same way, it would cost $5000 to fix a flat tire, reduced to $2000 if you have the right insurance, or $8000 if you're paying cash. Obamacare is a joke - it did nothing to fix any problems, and for most it reduced access via higher premiums, higher deductibles and higher copays. 

Our health care system is actually the perfect RICO case, and that's under PRESENT law. 

Someone else started a thread about being without a safety net.  I didn't respond, but the fact is, none of us has a safety net in that sense of the word. Today's America is a house of cards, built by sociopaths on a foundation of quicksand.

I've given talks on this, and what I wrote here is the tip of the iceberg. While this is not a pleasant subject, the machinations of these people are fascinating. Their power game is the (largely) untold history of mankind.

I believe it is important to understand what's actually happening, just so we can't be fooled by con men (and women!) who pretend they care and promise free stuff in exchange for our acceptance of their power over us.  This understanding fills a void in us that will otherwise be occupied by gullibility.

Understanding such things is part of becoming a functioning adult. We should know enough to say "now wait a minute..." when someone claims they can take the helm of a government that's already broke and then give out even more free stuff. (This isn't politics. It's arithmetic.)

For those who enjoy reading, I recommend "The Fourth Turning" by Strauss and Howe. It was a bestseller when it came out, but it's still in most bookstores and of course on Amazon. The gist of the book is that history can be understood as a series of four repeating cycles, or turnings, each about a generation (20 years) in length. After four turnings, the cycle starts over. The fourth turning is usually cataclysmic. America has been through several fourth turnings - the first resulted in the American Revolution, the second in the Civil War, the third in the great depression/WWII. America's fourth Fourth Turning is underway right now, and won't wrap up until the mid 2020's. Right now, it's like 1935 - the economy was in tough shape and a world war was right around the corner - unknown to all but the people planning it, which conspirators included FDR and Winston Churchill.  It's a fascinating look at history, including the history to come.

As with so many things wrong in our world today, this leads right back to the charm of cheap RV living. What we have is much easier to maintain and far harder to lose than a house, career and investment portfolio. Houses, careers and investments are pretty shaky things these days, precisely because of what's going on.

Beyond that, I'd say this little tribe is a better safety net than anything viewed as such by conventional wisdom...

Good post !

 

[GotSmart]

Perhaps I hang out in different circles, but everywhere I go I see people who are able to hold conversations in safety.  Nobody arrests or shoots them because of their ideas.

Local governments and private individuals are actively working on the eternal problems of society.  The homeless, the hungry, and the sick.  These are age old problems that are not cured by waving money, but require educated and dedicated people to deal with it.

The problem of race inequality, in treatment by society, is being discussed, mostly without violence, and certainly without lynching.  

America is in an internal revolution, a fluctuation.  I do not see a decline for the country.

 

[ggwoman]

History repeats itself. Things come and go.  There's nothing new under the sun.  Deja vu all over again. Nothing lasts forever.

There's reason for all these longtime sayings.  

Everything is a circle.

Be Good.  Be Kind.  Be Grateful.

That's all.

 

[USExplorer]

Some will focus solely on the evil part of human nature, and others solely on the good. The former become bitter, distrustful cynics; the latter, naive simpletons.
A decline is not a solely bad or evil change, some aspects of life will be better after we lose our #1 place. Personally, I am so far from the center of power that I barely notice the consequences of their decisions in my life. Currently.

 

[Gunny]

So I will ask those that think the U.S. is about to collapse... Where and when are you moving? Where will you, as an ex-pat, be allowed to live this Utopian life you want?

Always neutral Switzerland? Check the cost of living. I am not being facetious, where will you go. One way air fare is available to all points of the world and if you book now you may get some decent fares, let me know.

I've got a lot invested in this country, physically, mentally and monetarily. I think it will survive just fine. Those that don't; start checking those fares.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

you can't just buy a one way ticket out, unless you are a resident or citizen of the other country, you need a return and as a non citizen you just can't arrive, nor can you stay very long without the right paper work. You may not like that some people think the US is a nation in decline and I am not arguing whether it is or not, however, telling people to leave if they don't like it is not a debate or a discussion, nor is it conducive to improving any ones understanding.

 

[Gunny]

you can't just buy a one way ticket out, unless you are a resident or citizen of the other country, you need a return and as a non citizen you just can't arrive, nor can you stay very long without the right paper work. You may not like that some people think the US is a nation in decline and I am not arguing whether it is or not, however, telling people to leave if they don't like it is not a debate or a discussion, nor is it conducive to improving any ones understanding.

What precisely do you propose we understand? Constant complaining or declaring how bad it is here is counter-productive and provides absolutely no solution to the problems we have here. 

Where in my post did I say to Leave? I simply want to know where the supposed Utopia is. I was speaking metaphorically about a one way ticket, i do know what is involved to become an ex-pat or give up one's citizenship. 

You say " I am not arguing" followed by "However". Then you proceed to school me. 

I don't get into cyber fights, so please do me a favor and block me as I will do you..

 

[GotSmart]

So I will ask those that think the U.S. is about to collapse... Where and when are you moving? Where will you, as an ex-pat, be allowed to live this Utopian life you want?

Always neutral Switzerland? Check the cost of living. I am not being facetious, where will you go. One way air fare is available to all points of the world and if you book now you may get some decent fares, let me know.

I've got a lot invested in this country, physically, mentally and monetarily. I think it will survive just fine. Those that don't; start checking those fares.

Fair question.

I see stories all over about people retiring in some 3rd world country and living like a king. Which country?  No safe one comes to mind.

For me that is not an option.  18 generations now living, dying, and fighting for this country.  

Country boy will survive. 

I have plenty of family, and skills that are always in demand.  I will stick around.

 

[Gary68]

I am seeing other candidates already.  The "R's" have already a division, and soon perhaps the "D's"

We live in interesting times indeed!

and then there are the "L's"

 

[Gunny]

I came off as a smart a$$ and I apologize. It just seems to my misguided mind that this country is okay. Lots of problems, but nothing we can't handle as a people.

I wish nothing but the best for everyone trying to get their lives going either as a vandweller or a part timer.

I, at times, let my temper extend to my keyboard. Anyone that took offense, I am sorry. but I meant what I said. Just may have said it wrong.

Good night. Rob.

 

[highdesertranger]

there is always other candidates. this cycle is no different in that regard. highdesertranger

 

[WriterMs]

I think history shows that when a society is making progress (as some pointed out in this thread already in race relations, religious tolerance, science and innovations, etc.), there will be segments of that society that resist change and long for what they see as "the good old days." So the strife gets the headlines, that's for sure. (Is political corruption really worse now in relative terms as when back-room bosses in places like Tammany Hall called the shots?)

I believe that the positive thoughts/beliefs held by each individual can uplift the whole of the world. It may be like trying to watch grass grow...it happens but cannot really be seen with our naked-eye perspective. This likely seems at odds for someone who wrote a series of apocalyptic novels, but I do not believe in a coming doomsday. That's why my apocalypse was caused by unreal forces. (I do believe in being highly prepared for emergencies and life.)

I know evil and greed and hate exist; I am not naive. But I try to choose where I focus my energy. I think the vandweller lifestyle is very conducive to that. Someone said the tribe here is an example of a better society, but I believe there are millions of similar "families" of all sorts out there. People truly working to do better and be better and help each other.

And I believe the USA is about the best breeding ground for those kinds of people (and Canadians are pretty swell, too, LOL). Don't look at TV personalities... talk to your neighbor and the teacher your child likes and a veteran who has given some chunk of his or her life while being in places he or she doesn't really want to be.

Decline? No. Just the constant state of change that we have survived in since our founding.

 

[Canine]

No problem Gunny,we all do the same on occasion.What prompted me to start this thread was a column in Time mag.I thought it a good subject for a general discussion without getting into anyones particular politics.I think we have accomplished that.On another note,I see you are still in the military.Good Luck on your future assignments or deployments.

 

[Gunny]

Thanks Bob but I am retired from the Corps and from a secondary job. It is a good thread to let people know how they feel about this country and it's future. And what we can or should be doing to make it better.

My issue is the folks who run it down without offering a solution. And my too quick response. Thanks for the thread, I enjoy reading most peoples thoughts on this subject.

Be safe.. Rob

 

[GotSmart]

What EXACTLY is meant by  A NATION IN DECLINE?  

Could this be a FALSE DILEMMA or a BLACK AND WHITE FALLACY? 

Some things are always in decline, while others are on the increase.  EXAMPLE;  Whale oil industry, fossil fuels, solar.

 

[Gunny]

Be Safe is how I have ended many of my posts. Like Best Wishes or whatever.

I would like to think we are on the same side, I carry no ill will to others. I respect those who show me the same, whether we agree or not.

I will leave you with the words and a couple of pictures of one of my favorite modern day leaders. Take it as you wish. Rob

 

[cognitive dissonance]

Mattis was forced into early retirement by Obama. Gutting the military of its fighting men is another one of the things going on in this country that I'm really not happy with.

My favorite Mattis quotes? 

1) “You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it’s going to be bad.”

2) “The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.”

 

[Canine]

Looks like we may have veerd off track a little.That happens too,sometimes.I just want to say that I don't understand the implication that the USA is broke.The land alone owned by the federal gov is valued between 300 and 400 trillion dollars.Not to mention all the buildings,vehicles,planes,ships,oil reserves and other valuable property.Our national debt is less than 5% of our assets.Few people or countries in the world can compare.We do have a cash flow problem.Revenues are too small and expenditures are too high.A 10% adjustment in each would correct our cash flow problem.I'm guessing some won't agree.

 

[highdesertranger]

dang, you are trying to get me to comment on this. but I will not. highdesertranger

 

[cyndi]

I'll save you from yourself, HDR

Thread closed.