Will The USA ever fall?

If the USA continues in its science ignorance...

If it continues in its embrace of mysticism and superstition...

If we expect and depend on government hand-holding and handouts for every aspect of our lives, rather than standing on our own two feet...

If our citizens or government leaders succumb to using only our passions -- especially ignorance-based fear and aggression-based rage -- and not our reason in making life choices or national policy...

If we likewise make decisions and policy with only our heads, without any compassion...

If our citizenry continue to treat network-TV news shows as an important and trustworthy source of accurate, unbiased information as opposed to what they really are -- just shows...

If we (or at least the media) continue treating celebrities as if they were not mere entertainers but beacons of wisdom...

If we allow religion to continue making inroads into government and education...

If we continue spending far more money than we have or can generate...

If we, as individuals, consistently refuse to educate ourselves and to think critically rather than wallow in ignorance and gullibility...

If we continue to allow illegal immigration of Mexicans, then give them special privileges for which they owe little in responsibility or money...

If we continue to let students slide by with only the merest understanding of (and appreciation for) science, history, and other subjects (put another way, if we continue the dumbing of America)...

If cowardly politicians (fearful of losing votes) continue to pander to the constituency with the biggest mouths even when they're wrong and in the minority, rather than do what's right...

If we continue to buy things on credit which we cannot repay...

If we continue to neglect our children, or think "Maury" is the norm and raise them in dysfunctional families...

If we allow rudeness--already frightfully common--to become epidemic (by failing to teach our children or by turning the other way when it happens rather than calling the offender on it)...

If we continue to ignore global climate change and other environmental issues which should have been addressed decades ago...

If we continue to allow our language to be split into two, until "Press two for English" is a common phrase...

If we continue to allow our courts to be backlogged with trivial lawsuits that should be thrown out (and I'll add, the plaintiffs fined for wasting the courts' time)...

If we continue, as individuals, to absolve ourselves of personal responsibility in so many ways...

If we ignore the threats of cyber-, chemical-, nuclear and biological terrorism...

If we continue to focus on the superficial rather than the meaningful (on television, in relationships, in communication, in recreation and so on)...

If we continue to squander our natural resources, our respectability in the world, and our national talent pool...

If budgets for research and exploration (e.g. stem cells, the space program, alternate energy sources) are choked into paralysis...

If ancient doctrine is allowed to trump evidence and reason in making critical decisions about national policy (e.g. stem cells again, the teaching of evolution, global climate change, abortion)...

If we continue to call ourselves great while taking little action to support that statement...

If we continue in the nationalistic fervor and "love it or leave it" rhetoric which implies superiority ordained by God or the Cosmos...

...that fall is probably inevitable. But I still have hope that there's quite a way to go to a complete "fall" the likes of which those other civilizations saw, and many opportunities yet to turn the tide.

In short the trends I fear--and often believe I'm seeing--are toward miscommunication, misinformation, ignorance, thoughtlessness, carelessness, superficiality, irresponsibility, short-sightedness, apathy and laziness. The Bush administration gets a good portion of my blame for where were are now in those areas, but I blame many citizens, as well.

I do NOT subscribe to vague, undefined statements about "the way things are these days," which always imply that *everything* has gone to hell and that "it's never been this bad." (In fact, many of the problems our country faces now, it has faced in the past. As you suggested, history does repeat itself.) I prefer to define the problems rather than complain and blame our unhappy lives solely on external problems.

But if those problems are not addressed I don't see any hope of avoiding the fate of past great civilizations, as you pointed out. There is nothing *inherently* great about our nation by name alone, and the false pride and superficiality is like constantly repainting a bridge that's rusting underneath.

I believe we can prevail, but it is far from a foregone conclusion.

The more inflated our value becomes (from the government spending money that we don't have) the closer we get to an economic crash. Most goods are outsourced to other countries as it is. I don't know when it will happen, but unless it is fixed soon it will be soon. I've heard economists say it will likely happen in about 40 years if the government isn't stopped.

Oh, of course. "Prolly" is some sort of "cute" way of saying "probably", right? How clever.

I wouldn't use the current situation as a sentinel for the end.

Consider the Civil War, etc.

By the way, the previous poster is in the VAST minority, as most people (according to most reputable polls) think Obama is doing an average to better-than average job - and many think he is doing a remarkable job considering the dung heap he was handed.

Well, maybe not "fall" under another country's domination, however I do believe we're headed for disaster. No, seriously. I really think that the US is gonna form a church-state union with the Papacy (NO I'M NOT SAYING CATHOLICS ARE BAD DON'T GET ME WRONG PLEASE!!!) & I can show you why I believe that. But if you think I'm wrong don't send me hate messages...cuz I can show you exactly why I believe this :] & church-state unions have ALWAYS been bad!!! just check any history book............

And yes, history DEFINITELY does repeat itself!!! =/

No, bcoz everyone is already accepting most diversity. More acceptance less hate. less hate, much stable.

If they still continue to hate then yes they will fall.

eventually, It'll all lead with the economy

but, don't expect it to happen any time soon or in this lifetime atleast.

under Obama, yes

of course we'll fall. all peoples do. fall, shift, break, mutate...thats life.

YES!!!! Very soon :D