As The Cookie Crumbles: Ozymandi-US?

In which Y'r Ob'd't S'v't speculates upon life within the unfolding trajectory of the decline and fall of the American Empire, from the entirely justified (from his view) presumption that such has in fact already begun and, in the way of such things, is irreversible and irrevocable; and then offers on his prognosis on the prospects for a progressive polity under those circumstances; i.e., nil.

Restore America? Really? Get a FUCKING CLUE, folks. NAGAHAPUN

The USer empire is in decline. It is only just beginning (relatively speaking), its effects are still minimal, but it is irreversible and inexorable. Inevitable. Our "exceptionalism" won't save us from this one. China will surpass us ecvonomically in fewer than five years. And they're gonna go back to the moon,too. Study Mandarin (or what used to be called Cantonese, the other major dialect; or both, to be safe.

No. Really! Think I'm kidding. Ni Hao! Hello!)

Historically, all declining empires have made the same mistake. They have channeled their resources into their military superstructure to preserve the appearance of their invulnerability, while neglecting, even cannibalizing, their own public infrastructure and diminishing their populations' already shaken 'national loyalty' by investing WAY too much to holding, even ENLARGING, the frontiers.

The GOPhux, of course, lead the chorus. But there are an almost equal number of imperial DIms--including the Conceder-in-Chief--who will harmonize on the 'patriotic' parts, and thereby hold on to the ensemble feel of the activity. Hell, St. Barry even sings a little lead vocal, donne?

Despite the fact that, once they have passed their zenith of influence, empires NEVER recover their past glories, no matter how hard they try, and/or how much they spend, how many innocents they slaughter. It just doesn't happen. Shelley didn't think Ozymandias is just one fella's name:

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Pretty soon, if it hasn't already begun, the political rhetoric of the Right will start to resound with fevered, passionate, biblical-sounding appeals to "restore Murka to her former GLOO-RAY!"

"Only the LOVE of GAWD, and devotion to the BayBay JEEBUS," unbridled CAPITALISM, rapacious 'development,' and voting Republican will save us.

We'll be called on to "sacrifice" the residues of our liberties and remains of our 'treasure' in the struggle to "bring back" our "former GREATNESS."

This will be accompanied with fiercely bellicose appeals to out "warrior" God, for justification, and strength to RETAKE Jerusalem, or Bagdhad, or Kabul, to re-affirm our status, and to rebuke the doubters.

This will become the battle-cry of the Christo-fascisti as well as the willing drones and dullards who dutifully carry spears for the Oner/Owners.

Recovering America will not come cheaply, though. It will come (well, it won't, but we'll be told--and the dullards and drones will believe--it will), through the sacrifice of the REST of our ruined environmental and shredded social safety nets. It will provide jobs, perhaps, but they will be of the sort necessary to fight for our "rightful" place: At the HEAD of the Table.

Until the white majority darkens and loses its numerical edge, that is; though even with smaller numbers, whites will retain a financial 'advantage' for some time.

Anyway, that's the agenda as I see it for the next 50 years or so, from down here at the beach, hippies...I'll see ya down here...