The future of America

[Jack]

How long do you suppose America can continue to exist as a relatively free nation with a government consisting of all the representation you can afford and an economy controlled by a few unregulated corporations with a populace of underpaid, unappreciated and increasingly unemployed citizens?

We are no longer the America envisioned by the founders. We aren't even the same United States we were after our civil war. No society in history has existed with all the same elements at play as we have in America in the 21st century. So we can't look back in order to predict our potential future. Perhaps three centuries is all the longer we can sustain this social experiment. Then again, maybe it's taken three centuries to reach maturity and stability.

Is America becoming a corporatocracy? Are we in danger of becoming a theocracy, a Christian version of Iran? Will our current social, political and economic issues drive us back into a more responsible form of a republic? What do you see in America's future?

[finder]

Is America becoming a corporatocracy? Are we in danger of becoming a theocracy, a Christian version of Iran? Will our current social, political and economic issues drive us back into a more responsible form of a republic? What do you see in America's future?

A Christian theocracy? No, the Constitution doesn't allow for that and we as a nation are moving away from Christianity. Anyway, at least it's being rejected more now. I think what is really threatening the country is the mistrust we have for opposing ideas on moving forward. I think open, honest dialogue would be far more productive then to constantly misrepresent ideas that differ from our own.

[Sappho]

The US constitution does not allow for a Christian Theocracy, but does allow on US Dollars... "In God we trust" Funny that. From my world view, as an Australian, America presents itself as Christian Capitalism which is quite an oxymoron.

[Senor Hoint]

One thing is sure: the United States will soon be faced by crisis whose like has never been known.

Whether we will weather the crisis depends on the attitude of the government: will we attempt to actually solve these problems or will we dick around and refuse to actually govern while claiming that government is the problem?

[Sappho]

Yes indeed the US Economy is a mess. It's in worse shape than the Euro Zone.

[Dave In Canada]

Unfortunately, I believe that America will continue on it's current path to economic and social failure. As a Canadian I love to visit the United States. My wife and I were just in Boston this past weekend to see a Red Sox game, take a duck tour to learn some history about the city, do some shopping, dine in some interesting restaurants etc.

I think that the United States should start investing in itself and it's people. They should re-look at education, repair the infrastructure of their cities, and change the rules regarding American businesses who set up shop overseas. I have no problem wth corporations expanding, however I do think that if a corporation expands and sets up shop in another country they should not be allowed to export their products back to America. If an American company wants to sell products to Americans they better damn well be manufactured in your country by American citizens.

I think it is a farce that every T-shirt with a Boston logo etc on it that I saw this weekend was made in Asia. Perhaps rules need to be set up where only certain types of products can be imported where others must be manufactured in the United States.

My knowledge of American politics is quite ignorant however it doesn't take a rocket scientist to observe that your political party system needs to change and some radical changes need to be made to stop the growing division between the rich and the poor.

I sincerely wish your country would stop wasting billions of dollars on the military and start spending it on itself and it's people.

[Sappho]

This seems perfectly suited to this thread.

[Charlatan]

What could happen in america? Well, why not more of the same? If the issue is money, and it nearly always is, then it would be better to create jobs, tax them, get the damn gdp up, and sit back.

Of course, this doesn't happen because the senate is busy with other things. If they were to, say, scrap the budget for nukes for a year - as i am sure they don't need up to date nukes - then they will find billions therein. But, what else could be scrapped in order to do as i laid out so simply? Well, they could get a loan to do the same, or, they could sell military plans to china. I cannot see china going to war anytime soon, or a number of other regions, so, they will be making mo money without using yo money!

[The Decider]

I think what is really threatening the country is the mistrust we have for opposing ideas on moving forward. I think open, honest dialogue would be far more productive then to constantly misrepresent ideas that differ from our own.

The radicalization of the Republican Party makes "honest dialogue" impossible. How can Democrats "misrepresent" Republican obstructionism such as the recent debt ceiling fiasco late last year? How can anyone deal with a political party that once supported the idea of health care mandates then reject the same idea when Obama adopts it in his own health care plan?

The Republicans play chicken with our economy to score political points with the tea party fanatics. I see no room for compromise right now. None. And the fault is NOT equally shared by the two parties.

[The Decider]

From my world view, as an Australian, America presents itself as Christian Capitalism which is quite an oxymoron.

How so? I don't see much Christianity in McDonalds, one of America's most recognizable brands. Or Coke for that matter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008.../usa.mcdonalds

I think America will weather this economic storm eventually. If it doesn't, the "strong" economies in the Eurozone and China will duly suffer as well. Our economies are inextricably linked. We'll sink or swim together.

[Zeebadee]

I see no room for compromise right now. None. And the fault is NOT equally shared by the two parties.

Right, the national debt has gone up every year since 1957, and you're saying that the democrats share no responsibility for that?? Is your solution just to continue raising the debt ceiling in perpetuity??

[Sappho]

How so? I don't see much Christianity in McDonalds, one of America's most recognizable brands. Or Coke for that matter.

I was not aware that a definition of America is justified by reference to Coke(TM) or McDonalds(TM) only. Always figured that there was more to America than that... But, if you as an American differ with me on that... who am I to say otherwise?

Rather shallow country this land of carbonate cordial, fries and burgers.