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So you are asserting that retired Col. Andrew Bacevich, whom served in Vietnam, graduated and taught at West Point, spoken before joint sessions of Congress, a Christian conservative who's son recently was killed in Iraq is espousing Marxist rhetoric like an "ivory tower" sage? Ok, sir I thought you were capable of in depth abstract discussion, I can see I was wrong.
Wow, what depth to throw out an appeal to authority? I never though that discussion of depth was based on conforming to the claim of another! Though it was quite amusing the level of your attempt to demand conformity from me by using all those nifty emotional qualifiers. I mean, I see strict official authority, intellectual authority, emotional guilt authority, and religious association authority all used to suddenly make me do an about face like a good little sheep. I will be sure to toe the line from now on. /boggle
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Originally Posted by TnHilltopper
The fact that the rest of the world debates this issue on a variety of merits, positions and constructs of this definition means nothing to you, so there is no point in having a discussion with you further. Thanks for your participation.
No, there is no point if you are going to hide behind claims of validity by changing meanings and then pointing to institutions as the gospel truth.
Since the USA is the only nation with a republican form of government (not to be confused with a republic), where the people are sovereign over their governments, and their state governments are in compact with the United States, in Congress assembled, a foreign corporation, it is clear that "empire" is inapplicable to that government... unless American sovereigns are mini-emperors.
However, since the 1933 bankruptcy, and 1935 transition to the United Socialist States of America, via FICA, operating under a perpetual "State of Emergency", the original limitations and delegations in the USCON have been sidestepped. Worse, American lives and property are being consumed to do the bidding of the creditor, expanding the power of the international financial interests. So, the re-organized bankrupt U.S. is the "Fall guy" for the covert power behind the "throne"... the usurer / collectivist alliance, aided by the legal establishment.
On the slim chance that 51% withdraw consent, and cease underwriting the worthless "dollar bill", the USSA would implode, as its delegation of power via compact would cease. The remaining 49%, consisting mostly of the recipients, bureaucrats and parasites would swiftly collapse the regime. International trade would suffer as a new money token would be needed to replace the worthless "dollard". A wholesale resignation of the sitting government, followed by their swift emigration to countries that do not extradite to the USA may be witnessed, as well.
Since there is little hope of that occurring, the trend shows that Congress will continue to borrow MORE than it pays in interest on the debt (which is what Bernie Madoff went to prison for doing - in the private sector). If investors realize that they're being paid with new investors' money, new investors may cease buying government bonds. If the Fed continues to monetize the debt, buying up the governments' bonds, we will soon experience a "dollard" devaluation / hyperinflation affecting imports (i.e., fuel, food, manufactured goods, etc). However, wages will not rise. This does not bode well for the average American, who is wholly dependent upon the distribution and retail system for his necessities.
In addition, the worthless "dollar bill" underwritten by 300 million "human resources", cannot pay the national debt. Debt cannot pay debt. The current value in excess of 13 trillion dollars, computes to roughly 650 billion ounces of gold, stamped into dollars. Problem - world wide supply (2009 est) is only 5.3 billion ounces. Obviously, Congress did NOT borrow 13 trillions from the Federal Reserve, and the public debt is bogus - as well as impossible to repay. But it cannot be questioned - by law - pursuant to the 14th amendment, clause 4. This is why no Congressman, including the hallowed Ron Paul, dare whisper the suggestion of "voiding the public debt", on the grounds of fraud, and impossibility. Which means every enumerated holder of a government bond is at great risk, not only of losing all value, but that HE is the obligated party to pay his own investment... with lifelong servitude, if necessary.
It does appear that there is a deliberate plan to scuttle the USSA, and replace its pesky constitution, so that the People's Democratic Socialist Republic of America can rise.
We are an empire. We are the world's dominant economic and military power. The world's economy is our economy. We occupy or have troops in over 100 nations and the ability to project massive military power all of the world. So yes, we are an empire.
KevK !!! ... Your Post Is On The Money !
And if this greatest of nations known as America had followed the wisdom of General MacArthur and the military during the Korean War .... America would now be absolutely the one and only World Power and all the other little buddies on the earth would think of nothing else but living in a peaceful world !
Wow, what depth to throw out an appeal to authority? I never though that discussion of depth was based on conforming to the claim of another! Though it was quite amusing the level of your attempt to demand conformity from me by using all those nifty emotional qualifiers. I mean, I see strict official authority, intellectual authority, emotional guilt authority, and religious association authority all used to suddenly make me do an about face like a good little sheep. I will be sure to toe the line from now on. /boggle
No, there is no point if you are going to hide behind claims of validity by changing meanings and then pointing to institutions as the gospel truth.
Not an appeal to authority, only a clarification in which you assert that anyone who claims that the United States is an empire is espousing Marxist positions. So I asked, I did not claim, nor did I demand, I asked if you thought Andrew Bacevich was espousing Marxist positions. As to demanding conformity, where in the hell does this come from, that makes no sense what so ever.
You are the one after making the point that anyone who suggest America is an empire is espousing Marxist rhetoric, so if you wish to point the profane nature of where this discussion has traveled to, I would suggest you look there first. It is simply gross ignorance of this subject considering the voluminous debate that have taken place in more academic settings, in which it remains a subject of debate.
After reading this line several times
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It is a complete stretch and play on words to establish such a position. The fact that the "ivory tower" sages proclaim themselves correct is support of nothing. In fact, the bulk of Marxist attitudes stem from those institutions, what a surprise that they also share similar views!
I decided to review your posting history and subjects you frequent in order to better understand where you are coming from. After doing so, I can only conclude that such discussions with you when you view things like schools, colleges, or universities as Marxist institutions, is futile and which by the above statement certainly seems to be the claim you are asserting from as best I can tell.
OK. Guys and Gals. If it goes to poop how will we be affected? Semantics aside is it best to own and house? gold? think answers!!
As said before, I don't think it will "fall" but more like sit down.
Probably a huge economic melt down, a forced reduction of the military, a humbling of view, a few really tough years and we will join the ranks of the other top tier nations and remain a powerful force in the years to come. Life will go on.
As to what a person could do, well prepare for the worst, hope for the best and just live within your means.
Unfortunately since we ARE an empire, we can never stop our Leaders from waging war constantly--even when we are bankrupt and by no means can we afford it. Democrat or Republican, no matter how anti-war they sound on the campaign trail, it is amazing how each newly-elected President suddenly "realizes" that we "must" continue all wars started by the previous President, and add one or two more. The fact that the Military-Industrial Complex laid down the law to the newly elected President seems evident.
Here are some of the statistics, though I'll bet they are very much on the low side. Our government is far from transparent, particularly when discussing this issue:
One 2002 source notes "the presence of US military personnel in 156 countries....The US Military has bases in 63 countries. Brand new military bases have been built since September 11, 2001 in seven countries. In total, there are 255,065 US military personnel deployed Worldwide....According to Gelman, who examined 2005 official Pentagon data, the US is thought to own a total of 737 bases in foreign lands."
World leadership now is economic, not military. China will no problem defeating our military with the simple strategy of owning a large portion of our national debt, now about $14 trillion and rising. Is this the reason every store in America is filled with cheap goods from China, including pet food that was poisonous? Is this why China protects its businesses from foreign trade, but America's leaders refuse to?
We can't afford a gigantic, incredibly expensive military that is larger than those of all the other nation's militaries combined, although America has only 5% of the world population. We certainly can't afford it when our economy is comatose, wages have stagnated since the early 1970s, and the retirement of the Baby Boom will have to be paid for somehow. Even at 10% of the current mass, we would have more than enough military to protect our borders--if our Presidents ever stop playing King of the World and bring them home and allow them to do so.
The US government has almost 1000 military bases worldwide. That is an empire.
If we shut those bases down and bring those troops home there goes a nice chunk of the federal budget. As much as the Republicans talk about cutting federal spending you never hear them make serious proposal about cutting defense spending.
If America stops being the "World's Policeman" we could save a ton of money. The United States spends more on military spending than any country on the planet. At some point that has to stop if we are going to get our fiscal house in order.
If the United States declines that will mean we've moved away from consumerism. It won't be static. If we start saving and stop buying as much as we have in the past those countries like China and other up and coming countries will be right along the side of us. I think it could stall those countries and their prosperity even more so than it would ours.
Demand drops, supply increases and prices (and revenues for those countries) ______.
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Your Post Is On The Money !
