Current Events > it really feels like the US is in irreversible decline.

(+) Yeah! (+)

poor political governance in much of the country, climate change hitting the gas big time. slowing birth rates, some of the worst health outcomes for a major G20 economy and a largely pathetic populace and well it don't look good for ol Columbia.
the country won;t collapse over night of course but sadly it feels like we might one day look back longingly for even this turbulent times.

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read this book

https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570

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hell yeah

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pure_temper posted...

read this book

https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570

in fairness the American "decline" might be in overall wealthier world with less poverty, some type of coordinated effort to fight climate change, less ethnic, regional and racial tension and a much improved universal health system.
really if we are less of a global power but my future kids live longer in a society with less prejudice it would be completely fine with me of course.

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You do realize that "progress" isn't always a neat, pretty straight line, right? It's more of an up and down wave with multiple hangups along the way. Completely and totally normal.

DoctorPiranha3 posted...

You do realize that "progress" isn't always a neat, pretty straight line, right? It's more of an up and down wave with multiple hangups along the way. Completely and totally normal.

yes I strongly realize this.

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ha. I've been hearing this my whole life. If the US is going down the tubes, the rest of the planet must be living in raw sewage.

poor political governance in much of the country

voters are given too much control over that which affects others, but too little control over that which affects themselves; party platforms too idealist rather than empirical; too much influence on governmental mechanics from large corporations and powerful ngos; politicians with short time horizons, but that's arguably a natural byproduct of representative democracy.

climate change hitting the gas big time

climate change is downstream from unsustainable consumption and production; unsustainable consumption is downstream from excessive debt.

slowing birth rates

for the middle and (lower) upper classes; poor and the ultra wealthy have significantly more kids on average. slowing birthrates affects a lot of industrialized societies worldwide, but the reasons for this beyond economic anxiety are not popular to discuss.

some of the worst health outcomes for a major G20 economy

the health system's rigged and the sugar industry is subsidized.

and a largely pathetic populace

the populace is a product of its environment, and its economic/social environment is physically, psychologically, and spiritually toxic.

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Chances are if it was a collective bunch of stupid decisions that got us here then at least the solutions won't be these crazy ass things to think of and fix said problems

Were not too far off from where were supposed to be really

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It does feel that way. Weve fallen behind in the outcomes commonly cited. Theres still no commitment from the top of investing in education, healthcare, etc. Just rich people looting whats left before the ship sinks.

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The Trent posted...

hell yeah

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Kinda feel this way too. Even if taxes are raised...companies will look to move else where. Probably why Janet Yellen is in talks with G20 to make a flat tax rate amongst countries. No safe haven for anybody....but the motherfuckers will probably just go to Haiti.

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