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Originally posted by metalgearsolid Today, the United States is the wealthiest and strongest power on earth. It is the most dominant commercial, cultural, and military powerhouse on the face of the globe. Its supremacy is unchallenged, and its armies flood the world, while its navy roams the oceans. American corporations like Mcdonalds and Wal Mart lodge in nations spanning accross continents, and America exports its products, services, and culture on a truly massive scale. America's empire of military bases is global. America is generations ahead of any competitor in military technology. America is not only the largest and most productive economy in the world, but it is also the second-fastest growing. In almost every aspect, America is unrivaled. It could be said that America is the greatest Hegemon of all time. But Hegemons and empires come and go. So what of tommorow? What does America's future hold. Many political scientist speak of fiscal overstretch. In order to maintain this absolute preponderance over the rest of the world, America expends vast amount of its vital resources on its military. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being drained from the treasury each year, in order to feed the beast known as the industrial-military complex. As America undertakes the War on Terror, she only seems to make more enemies, isolate herself, and weaken herself as a result. America gets involved in petty squables on a yearly basis, on an international scale. As America pursues its foreign policy of preventative war, it loses the lives of its young, and eats away at its reserves. As America continues to invade countries, fight wars, and put down revolts, it sinks deeper and deeper into debt to pay for it. Irresponsible tax breaks for its aristocracy also cost billions which it cannot afford, and causes the nation to mortgage its future. America also suffers from an aging population, and the worry of supporting this very population. It has become dependent on immigrants to invigorate herself with youth. America's voracious appetite for imports causes us to again fall deeper into debt to sustain our glutinous behavior. Due to the "promising" effects of globalization, American companies have repeatedly outsourced jobs, and we have sacrificed our manufacturing/industrial power that made us great. America has few allies that in can count on, and must bear the burden of policing the world alone. On the contrary, she has an endless list of enemies, bent on her destruction, such as terror networks like Al Quadea. While America sinks into the pit of economic decline, a nation in the East is emerging. This nation's resources are abundant, and diverse. This nation has a population fully 1/6 of the world's, and greatly outnmumbers America. This nation is the fastest growing economy on earth, and its population is exploding, not aging. Its armies grow stronger by the day, and its technological prowess grows greater with time. This nation much resembles the America of old. This rising power is China. While America is busy fighting wars in the middle east, China waits, and grows stronger. When the time comes, how will America be able to confront this new Hegemon, without bankrupting its treasury, and sacrificing its global empire of military bases. In the year 2040, China will have caught up to us economically. It's manufacturing and industrial capacity will continue to grow. America on the other hand, has begun the path of foolishly sacrifing her industrial might, so as to have greater financial might. This is indeed foolish. For at least the next 40 years, America will be the dominant military power. But mark my words, like all the empires before her, she has already entered her economic decline. And without the resoruces of a strong economy, the military might in which I speak, will not last. An inevitable war with China will bankrupt the bleading U.S economy. An America confronted with global military commitments, back-breaking trade and budget deficits, and a declining manufacturing sector, might be able to wage war on China, but it would emerge a mere shadow of its glorious past. Its funny how history repeats itself. This situation reminds me of Great Britain and Germany, in the early twentieth century. Great Britain was the aged empire, and Germany was the emerging power, determined to challenge Britain's hegemony. This eventually lead to conflict, and war ensued. Britain won, but having already sacrificed her industrial power, and faced with too many commitments with her global empire, was forced to borrow from abroad. After World War I, Britain was no longer the same. The back-breaking debt from which she suffered, and her dependency on foreign supplies, left her unable to afford to manage her empire any longer. World War II was the last straw. After this war, within a few years, what was once known as the British Empire was no more. The same fate awaits the United States. We may very well succeed in putting down on our main rival, but at what cost? If we wish to preserve our hegemony, something must be done now to impede the coming disaster.

Why should anything be done when it always happens to any 'empire'? Perhaps the world needs a new leader, who may be able to do better. Besides, I don't think anyone's thinking about 2040 now, being that just about the entire western world's population is declining due to people having less & less children (not to say that I'm NOT apart of the problem, as I'll probably consider adopting rather than making when that time comes).

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Originally posted by ali92 as I'll probably consider adopting rather than making when that time comes).

what are u saying u are sterile?

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Originally posted by metalgearsolid what are u saying u are sterile?

No. I'd rather choose to adopt. Or is that a problem too now?

yes yes it is. I don't understand why you would want to adopt children when you can make you can make your own. You have sperm and all that other crap. Just make your own children dude. YOu can adopt a few. When i get there i want to have a few of my own and adopt some children from like africa and russia. Thats just me but just because you adopt does not mean you cant have ur own.

This perhaps is a different topic altogether, but America could be prone to suffering some of the same population growth problems plaguing underdeveloped nations right now. Think about it. In 1900 there weren't even 100 million people in the US. Now there are over 350 million. That growth rate is exponential, so by 2100, we should expect to see unprecedented numbers of people. With the United States' problem of everyone wanting so much personal space (see spacious 1 acre lots as almost the norm in 3/4 of the country), overcrowding and stress on public utilities is only likely to grow as well. I think California is already starting to experience this, with its recent history of brownouts and water shortages.

My point here is that the US is perhaps uniquely unready for the type of population stress that many other countries have been preparing for for years. So, when someone says they are interested in adopting, I think that's admirable for a couple of reasons. It in no way adds to the population problem, as it deals with children already born (whether in the US or in other countries). It helps the quality of life of the child a great deal. I would expect that in the future adoption would be a highly pushed program by the government as a means by which we can deal with population growth. Not to use a crude comparison or anything, but look at the way that pet-seekers are urged to go to pounds and kennels first to look at adopting a new dog instead of increasing demand for buying a puppy.

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see we should do somthing with our southern border and we should also do something with all the drug addicts and ppl with STDS

see we should do somthing with our southern border and we should also do something with all the drug addicts and ppl with STDS

Infact I have thought about this question many times.

British empire fell because it was mostly colonies. UK is in itself small.

But the unique thing about US is the population is made up of diverse races and religion. The real American Indians are not dominant. US is a small version of the world.

In short, US will continue to absorb world brain talent. They will continue advancing technology........ I don't know how they can be stopped, unless there is a series of blunder mistakes.

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov This perhaps is a different topic altogether, but America could be prone to suffering some of the same population growth problems plaguing underdeveloped nations right now. Think about it. In 1900 there weren't even 100 million people in the US. Now there are over 350 million. That growth rate is exponential, so by 2100, we should expect to see unprecedented numbers of people. With the United States' problem of everyone wanting so much personal space (see spacious 1 acre lots as almost the norm in 3/4 of the country), overcrowding and stress on public utilities is only likely to grow as well. I think California is already starting to experience this, with its recent history of brownouts and water shortages. My point here is that the US is perhaps uniquely unready for the type of population stress that many other countries have been preparing for for years. So, when someone says they are interested in adopting, I think that's admirable for a couple of reasons. It in no way adds to the population problem, as it deals with children already born (whether in the US or in other countries). It helps the quality of life of the child a great deal. I would expect that in the future adoption would be a highly pushed program by the government as a means by which we can deal with population growth. Not to use a crude comparison or anything, but look at the way that pet-seekers are urged to go to pounds and kennels first to look at adopting a new dog instead of increasing demand for buying a puppy.

Oh boy time to hug some trees...

Population control is a good idea until your number is up then it's not such a good idea is it?



This post made by 100% recycled photons

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I'm sorry, perhaps you can't read. I didn't advocate genocidal population control tactics. No one's 'number is up'. I just said that adopting isn't something to incline your snotty little nose at.

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Those that are for population control are alright with the idea until you tell them they are using up Earth's resources just like the rest of us, and therefore their argument is null.

When I say "number is up" is to say, in a nice way, about what the solution would be to the so called "population growth problems".

No one in their right mind should be comfortable with this being that in order to eliminate the "problem" it would mean their termination of life.

After all there has to be a starting point.

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