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Despite the oft stated admonition to remember history or it will repeat itself, it keeps on repeating itself just the same. Rome, Spain, Britain, all once held great influence over the world. They all eventually collapsed. I believe we are now seeing the decline of America and the rise of China to center stage. Center to our downfall is the progressive worsening of our leaders. I once thought Nixon was the worst president ever, then came Reagan. Ronnie began our economic collapse, then came Bush I. GH began our military collapse by thinking he had won in Iraq, and definitely losing in Somalia, then came Bush II. GW solidified our moral collapse by making hatred and ignorance the new coin of the realm. I shudder to think of Sarah Palin becoming our Nero. Hopefully, our final fall will be non-violent, at least in the armed conflict sense. I do not foresee a civil war or a military attack on the United States. An insolvency that leads to a great depression will be horrible enough, and will lead to general violence, but I hope the worst nightmare scenario can be avoided. China, as our principle creditor, has been stealthily gaining influence throughout the world, and must be admitted to having a superior military force. I do not envision them as being conquerors, a la Genghis Khan, but as foreclosure landlords a la Simon Legree. What will the new world order be with China in the lead? I cannot see, but I am seriously considering learning to speak Mandarin. I just wish I didn't also have to learn a new alphabet.
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