Consider this as a clue to how fucked we are as a country.

[davidthegnome]

20. We are not so far from that, Glorfindel.

If we look at the history of the Roman Empire in particular (which inspired some of our own government philosophies and ambitions) we can see some pretty significant similarities. Our military forces are spread pretty thin - over-extended throughout many international bases. Inner corruption - and financial corruption in particular - has become so severe in our government that there are precious few officials left worthy of trust, respect... or our votes. Still... the "barbarians" are not at the gates yet.

When the American Empire collapses, I suspect it will happen from within. Generally, our military is far too strong for it to be accomplished by an outside force - unless the whole world united against us. On the other hand... the poor, the oppressed, people who have suffered and are suffering under this system of capitalism gone crazy, will eventually have nothing left to lose (some perhaps, already have nothing left) and when that time comes...

Well, I'm not one to advocate for violence. I am hoping that the revolution that eventually comes will be more in Gandhi's style. The various armed militia groups in this Country, the gangs, the cults... our own home grown "Christian armies" I suspect, will have something to say about what happens next. Those of us on the left tend to be somewhat more peaceful and less inclined to own an arsenal of weapons - in general.

Hard to say what the future will look like - but the greater the gap becomes between the rich and the poor... the more the middle, working and poor classes lose... the more likely that eventual revolution (peaceful or otherwise) becomes. Occupy Wall Street, the Sanders candidacy, the Tea Party, the Trump Presidency... I think these things are hinting at where we are going as a Nation - if we don't start doing a lot of things differently.