The Fall of the American Empire?

ElfBane · 11-30-2009, 05:08 AM

An article about the economies of empires, past and present.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/224694

It's six pages long and requires a little effort to absorb, but worth it IMO.

Does this guy have it right? Comments/critiques welcome!

Chewbacca · 12-01-2009, 08:32 AM

It's an okay article but I don't like feeling like I'm being counted out. Under-estimating the American people has been the folly of emperors and tyrants. Also not even mentioned is that the U.S.A. is actually fairly young nation, on world with an even younger (global) economy. We are still near the beginning when the article sorta implies we are near the end.

DrowArchmage · 12-01-2009, 11:14 AM

I would like to agree 100% with you Chewbacca, and also put in that old saying, "It's always darkest before dawn".

We may be down, but we're sure not out.

Morgeruat · 12-02-2009, 07:46 AM

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics...bubble_machine

DrowArchmage · 12-02-2009, 11:13 AM

Holy shit man.

If they can actually find any real evidence.....i cant even imagine the reprocusions. It would be total chaos.

ElfBane · 12-03-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It's an okay article but I don't like feeling like I'm being counted out. Under-estimating the American people has been the folly of emperors and tyrants. Also not even mentioned is that the U.S.A. is actually fairly young nation, on world with an even younger (global) economy. We are still near the beginning when the article sorta implies we are near the end.

A post-industrial economy is "near the beginning"? How post-industrial do we need to get to be at our peak?

Morgeruat · 12-03-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrowArchmage

Holy shit man.

If they can actually find any real evidence.....i cant even imagine the reprocusions. It would be total chaos.

The problem is, who do you prosecute? The government, Federal Reserve, etc during many many administrations have been filled to the brim with Goldman-Sachs executives and former executives. It's also worth noting, that during the last fiscal year, Goldman-Sachs posted huge profits (not as big as pre-housing market collapse, but everyone suffers in a depression [/sarcasm]), and gave out billion dollar bonuses, again.

If any of it can be proven, they should be tried for treason and shot.

DrowArchmage · 12-03-2009, 11:22 AM

I'll agree with you wholeheartedly on the charge of treason, and the consequences for it.

But if the charge is made, and someone pays off a certain,very powerful figure, what happens to the accuser?

I understand the likelyhood of someone that high in gevernment taking a bribe....but time really are tough. The corruption has spread to places i never thought to see it.

The place where i spent most of my high school career, for example. I know that at least three quarters of the police force are corrupt. I also know that my hometown is now mostly run by the corrupt.

The real question is, how do we stop it before we destroy ourselves?

Morgeruat · 12-03-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrowArchmage

I'll agree with you wholeheartedly on the charge of treason, and the consequences for it.

But if the charge is made, and someone pays off a certain,very powerful figure, what happens to the accuser?

I understand the likelyhood of someone that high in gevernment taking a bribe....but time really are tough. The corruption has spread to places i never thought to see it.

Ever hear of "campaign contributions" or lobbyists giving "gifts" or how about senators with $90,000 hidden in the freezer (insert frozen assets joke), or political appointment as a favor? Politicians are bought and sold on a regular basis unfortunately.

Quote:

The place where i spent most of my high school career, for example. I know that at least three quarters of the police force are corrupt. I also know that my hometown is now mostly run by the corrupt.

The real question is, how do we stop it before we destroy ourselves?

Use your vote. Vote for people who will do the job and do it fairly, if none of the available pool are doing it, run yourself. A friend of mine wrote himself in as a candidate for a local position, and had his father and brother vote for him as well. There wasn't anyone running and so, with 3 votes, he won... granted it was an off year election in a very small town, but a single vote can and does matter.

Ziroc · 12-04-2009, 01:51 AM

Goldman Sachs workers are also ARMING themselve. WTF is THAT? They expecting something?? Greedy.....

Read THIS:

Arming Goldman With Pistols Against Public
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=ahD2WoDAL9h0

I have no problem with owning a gun, BUT.... the reason for getting one scares me. They think a populist uprising is coming?! wow.
Guess we better get Rifles then..

11-30-2009, 05:08 AM	#1
ElfBane Mephistopheles Join Date: March 21, 2004 Location: Cape Canaveral, FL Age: 69 Posts: 1,443	The Fall of the American Empire? An article about the economies of empires, past and present. http://www.newsweek.com/id/224694 It's six pages long and requires a little effort to absorb, but worth it IMO. Does this guy have it right? Comments/critiques welcome! __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759. Iraq and Afghan fatalities: 6,855 and counting. Silence IS consent.

12-01-2009, 08:32 AM	#2
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? It's an okay article but I don't like feeling like I'm being counted out. Under-estimating the American people has been the folly of emperors and tyrants. Also not even mentioned is that the U.S.A. is actually fairly young nation, on world with an even younger (global) economy. We are still near the beginning when the article sorta implies we are near the end. __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

12-01-2009, 11:14 AM	#3
DrowArchmage Mephistopheles Join Date: July 29, 2004 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Age: 33 Posts: 1,400	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? I would like to agree 100% with you Chewbacca, and also put in that old saying, "It's always darkest before dawn". We may be down, but we're sure not out.

12-02-2009, 07:46 AM	#4
Morgeruat Jack Burton Join Date: October 16, 2001 Location: PA Age: 43 Posts: 5,421	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? http://www.rollingstone.com/politics...bubble_machine __________________ "Any attempt to cheat, especially with my wife, who is a dirty, dirty, tramp, and I am just gonna snap." Knibb High Principal - Billy Madison

12-02-2009, 11:13 AM	#5
DrowArchmage Mephistopheles Join Date: July 29, 2004 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Age: 33 Posts: 1,400	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? Holy shit man. If they can actually find any real evidence.....i cant even imagine the reprocusions. It would be total chaos. __________________ "Love is an odd thing, as odd a thing there is" -al'Lan Mandragoran, Last Lord of the Seven Towers

12-03-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
DrowArchmage Mephistopheles Join Date: July 29, 2004 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Age: 33 Posts: 1,400	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? I'll agree with you wholeheartedly on the charge of treason, and the consequences for it. But if the charge is made, and someone pays off a certain,very powerful figure, what happens to the accuser? I understand the likelyhood of someone that high in gevernment taking a bribe....but time really are tough. The corruption has spread to places i never thought to see it. The place where i spent most of my high school career, for example. I know that at least three quarters of the police force are corrupt. I also know that my hometown is now mostly run by the corrupt. The real question is, how do we stop it before we destroy ourselves? __________________ "Love is an odd thing, as odd a thing there is" -al'Lan Mandragoran, Last Lord of the Seven Towers

12-04-2009, 01:51 AM	#10
Ziroc Ironworks Webmaster *Bow to the Meow* Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: Lakeland, Florida Age: 51 Posts: 11,720	Re: The Fall of the American Empire? Goldman Sachs workers are also ARMING themselve. WTF is THAT? They expecting something?? Greedy..... Read THIS: Arming Goldman With Pistols Against Public http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=ahD2WoDAL9h0 I have no problem with owning a gun, BUT.... the reason for getting one scares me. They think a populist uprising is coming?! wow. Guess we better get Rifles then.. __________________ Ziroc™ Ironworks Gaming Webmaster www.ironworksgaming.com The Great Escape Studios - 2D/3D Modeling www.tgeweb.com & Ziroc's Facebook Page Visit My Flickr Photo Album

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