We could be in big-time trouble - worldwide speaking

[The Overlord]

I'm not calling the US an empire, but it does share something in common with empires of the past.

If Rome had been as unified towards the end as it was in the beginning, it's unlikely that the Germanic tribes and other enemies could have conquered it. It was because Romans stopped believing in Rome's ideals that was ultimately behind its downfall.

There many theories on the fall of the Roman empire:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire

Besides some historians blame the loss of civic virtue in Rome on Chrisitanity, which was far less of unifing force than the old, more conservative Roman religion, people became more concerned with getting into to Heaven than the earthly concerns of the empire as the theory states. But I doubt you are unhappy Christianity was adopted by the Roman Empire, without that Christianity never would have became the major religion of the Western world. Values change over time and those who cannot change with them, will be swept away by history.

Besides one could argue Roman Empire became spilt because of poor policy and petty attitudes of the leaders there. And which recent US President has become a figure of polarization amongst the US public? Looks like he's not uniter after all.

 

[The Overlord]

I have an idea. How about all countries that have ever borrowed money (or been given money for free) from the U.S. give it ALL back?

Yeah, well there's your answer. The U.S. will never go broke. There are too many countries who owe us money for it to happen.

Good plan, except if China calls in the debts owed to it by the US, it will own the US.

 

[KingOfDreams]

I have an idea. How about all countries that have ever borrowed money (or been given money for free) from the U.S. give it ALL back?

Yeah, well there's your answer. The U.S. will never go broke. There are too many countries who owe us money for it to happen.

Yeah, we could call in all the money owed to us but I'm not sure every nation would pay or could pay. This could also have a negative effect as far as world relations go.

 

[KingOfDreams]

Good plan, except if China calls in the debts owed to it by the US, it will own the US.

Yeah, there's things like that too.

 

[lazur]

Good plan, except if China calls in the debts owed to it by the US, it will own the US.

Do tell. I've never heard that. What debts?

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Google and learn.

 

[maxwell's demon]

i prefer wiki and learn: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._public_debt

edit: this seems to sum up most of what i'd been reading about: http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/china_winning_tradewar.html

 

[Mr Sparkle]

"When the war in Iraq eventually ends (and it will end someday), the US economy will fall flat on its back.

The only solution will be to have another war. "

lovely.

 

[lazur]

i prefer wiki and learn: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._public_debt

edit: this seems to sum up most of what i'd been reading about: http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/china_winning_tradewar.html

323 billion to China is pocket change. But I wonder how much of that debt wouldn't exist if there existed a fair trade agreement between the two countries so they can't constantly undercut us in production of consumer goods, while they mark up everything we export to them.

 

[maxwell's demon]

lazur, are you serious? I really don't mean to sound condescending, but really- look into "fair trade". not just between us and China, but between us and...anywhere. that's why Wilh and i both want you to read that book.

 

[lazur]

lazur, are you serious? I really don't mean to sound condescending, but really- look into "fair trade". not just between us and China, but between us and...anywhere. that's why Wilh and i both want you to read that book.

Well, summarize it for me t:.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

323 billion to China is pocket change.

Sick world where that's true.

 

[maxwell's demon]

http://www.economichitman.com/pages/bookpages/thebook.html

 

[lazur]

http://www.economichitman.com/pages/bookpages/thebook.html

I imagine that, at some point, we (the world) will have the need to disolve "currency" as it exists today. There will have to be some other means of measuring wealth and who gets what.

 

[maxwell's demon]

is that your answer to my post?

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I imagine that, at some point, we (the world) will have the need to disolve "currency" as it exists today. There will have to be some other means of measuring wealth and who gets what.

MARK OF THE BEAST!
ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
HAIRY SCORPION-MEN WITH HORSELIKE BODIES!

 

[The Overlord]

Do tell. I've never heard that. What debts?

Who do think US in debt to over the Iraq war and other recent spending? Here's a hint, its a big country in East Asia, starts with a C ends with an a. Try Googling it.

 

[War Lord]

Who do think US in debt to over the Iraq war and other recent spending? Here's a hint, its a big country in East Asia, starts with a C ends with an a. Try Googling it.

Cambodia.

 

[maxwell's demon]

Canada have good school system.

 

[War Lord]

Canada have good school system.

has.

 

[maxwell's demon]

has.

zagnuts

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Chick-O-Sticks

 

[The Overlord]

323 billion to China is pocket change. But I wonder how much of that debt wouldn't exist if there existed a fair trade agreement between the two countries so they can't constantly undercut us in production of consumer goods, while they mark up everything we export to them.

Interesting but irrelevant, China still controls most the US' debt and so if the US calls in the debt from other nations, you better believe China will do the same.

 

[The Overlord]

Cambodia.

Big country, since when was Cambodia big?

 

[Darthphere]

Big country, since when was Cambodia big?

Since Limp Bizkit made that song.