I don't believe that Czar Nicholas II in 1916-era Russia faced anything more dangerous than our current discredited  government faces now.  With an unpopular president and an all-but-lost war, a weary disaffected electorate, illegal aliens DEMANDING rights to which they have no right, and a do-nothing Congress, we seem to be on the verge of total collapse as a nation.
211371
Ex-Generals speak out because they (unlike the active duty) have FREE SPEECH, for which I'm grateful!  Speak! Speak!  \n\nWars come and go; presidents come and go; congressional members come and go; and long term, nationial powers ebb...\n\nIf you want to worry about total collapse, why not worry about our obscene National Debt, gross moral decline, disappearing industrial base, and shrinking middle class?
602581
Actually, the US only has about half that many, but some are far more powerful than you say.  The real issue is that Russia still has around 15,000 and that not all are officailly accounted for.
183936
I really hate being pessimistic about our country, but I think we're on the way out.  Every major nation in the world has had their rise and fall.  I think it's now, unfortunately, our turn to bite the dust.  Just look at history.  The Roman Empire, the British Empire, on and on.  Yep, we're on the way down.
248932
Russia lacks the organization and infrastructure at this time to be able to make war with the U.S.  Their military efforts at this time are focussed on neocolonial attempts to influence states like Armenia and Kazakhstan.  We may be working our way to a renewal of the Cold War, but Russia just isn't equipped for an actual military conflict outside its current sphere of influence at this time.
502157
According to our government it hasn't reached that point yet.  According to those on the ground over there it's almost in full swing.  Who to believe?  I think I'll believe those who are in the middle of it, rather than the Administration that has been dancing around it.
347501
I agree! It seems as though things in our government have gotten out of hand. I don't know if it would take a good president or the united states keeping our noses to ourselves. Its like we are trying to fix the world and we can't even fix ourselves. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks our America is in need of dire help. Good job for speaking out.
136306
LOL glad we got all the ugly stuff out of the way first.\n\nWell this is a very good question. I am going to have to surf on some Georgia info I see. Maybe they will be the example for others to follow. One way or another something has to give.\n\nThe reason our government isnt handeling it as of yet? They are owned by corporations now, just as our media is. Sad but true. Corporation's are behind the tremendious backing going on at the moment. To pay for the massive propaganda that is being put out to the American public. Many of us have been very active the last few days, in areas of repeated emails to congress and the president over the issues and how we REALLY feel and VOTE on it. A quite bombardment. Internet polls all reflect 95% against Amnesty. So its coming down to who shouts the loudest and has access to all the forms of media to inform those not on the internet. Yes many many are beyond outradge at their lack of protection and responsibilty to these matters.\n\nThere has been a large increase at the boarders. Minuetmen are very much in need of more members. My guess is that National guard will end up the next alternative. But, to be honest that is what they are for. Protecting OUR country. And were not meant to be sent overseas.\n\nThis is one area we may have been underestimated in. The American drive when they want something and when they have been threatened. And as of late their biggest tactic besides lies and propaganda has been threats and intimadation. Americans don't take to well to demands and threats.\n\nPlease email me some website links about the changes being made in Georgia and how they are being made.
41669
I am not a sociologist but I will answer as an American who follows world events rather closely.  If we do not do something to help defend this country then we will no longer cease to exist as a country.  There are so many people that want America destroyed that it takes a lot of soldiers, marines, CIA, etc to avert total disaster in this country.  The bottom line is that some Americans realize that our country and way of life has survived so long by the blood of our American soldiers.  Others simply take that fact for granted.
89739
It is a very realistic and good question my dear friend...\n\nMy answer (opinion) will be "Yes".\nBut the fate of U.S.A will be more grieve than Russia.Because as you know lot's of enemy of U.S waiting for a weak point.Lot's of promise of revenge,lot's of hatred and enemy...U.S have to be careful...\n\nRussian system and culture is very different than U.S.A.I have been in Moscow.It is a lovely city...You have to see people,metro stations,museums and buildings...\nIf they don't want to talk no body can talk them.If they want to kill you.They kill you :) They have no details.\nIf they want to do sometihng.They do it.No lie,no acting.That's very simple.\n\nU.S.A will finish itself...
547477
Its not just EU, Russia is ramping up their military again. They are coming out with a lot of new and improved weapons systems. When you read the propaganda about them you almost always read, "able to evade, penetrate, destroy the current US systems." Not sure if they are trying to start the cold war all over again or are putting that info on their sales brochures for market to countries like Iran and North Korea. Why can't we just all get a long?
581559
Actually, we've moved away from empire. We used to have more foreign territories and be more aggressive supporting the Monroe Doctrine in the Americas, but we got rid of most of our territories and have taken a more hands-off approach to issues in the Americas.\n\nNow, every important country has gone through various stages, including expansion and empire type stages. And there is no certainty that the US will not go through the same thing in the future. But we seek no empire - heck, most of us would like to dump Puerto Rico - and we've given sovereignty back to many of our one time possessions / territories, e.g. Philippines, Panama canal, etc.\n\nThere has been no concentration of power in the executive, considering the recent power grabs by the legislature / judiciary in oversee the President in exercising his powers, such as trying to limit his ability to conduct national security intelligence gathering by wiretap or phone records.\n\nThis kind of power jousting has been going on for 225 years, and isn't about to stop now. Actually, the judiciary has been the worst offender regarding usurping power most recently. And after Watergate, Congress had attacked the powers of the presidency.\n\nAt this time, the executive and legislature have regained a parity. I do not see the executive having gotten out of control in the least.\n\nIf anybody claims that today we have some kind of dictatorship, they are peddling nonsense, and have a shameful ignorance of US history.
217685
The whole administration is on the ropes... but no one is going to do anything until the election... they are just going to drag the Republican party down so far that no one with a mind will vote for it...\nI don't think I've ever seen one administration do so much damage to a party in my lifetime...
239271
It's monumental.The rest of the world is down on us right now and the only way we're going to get out of the trenches is to have someone with charisma and an actual plan to set us in the right direction.We have so many problems on so many levels it's staggering.Bush and Cheney come off as arrogant stuffed shirts to most people and the poll numbers speak for themselves.Chaos abounds in this regime.The war,the borders,the economy,deficit,Katrina disaster,poverty,healthcare,etc.,is a direct result of an administration who is completely out of touch with the people and what they need.Our next president has a daunting task in front of him/her.Our nation needs a jump start with fresh ideas and a compassionate and passionate president.
306188
YIKES!!  Now I'm gettng worried. Don't scare me like that. Sometimes we seem so weak I could see it happening. If we don't get tougher it's going to be a Mexican and Muslim country. All those wars we fought to have American freedom and then the hippies grew up into weak Liberals and we get took over easily from within.
658182
I think you have a grasp on the situation in Iraq, we do have no business there in the first place and in all wars innocents are killed. Americans for the most part have no idea what war does to a country and its people because we have had none here since 1860. The death, the destruction that we have caused Iraq in the name of democracy is just wrong. I know that Saddam was not a  cool dude but we cannot and should not try to right every wrong through out the world. It just isn't possible.
90454
I think you are in trouble.\n\nHonestly, when I take look at it from here.. US today is pretty much like Soviet Union back in the 70's.. Bad thing.. Baaaad thing. \n\nvote for non militant president next time..
127192
While our country falls apart and the american dream becomes more dissolved. Our forefathers would be ashamed of our current government. The great USA is becoming more like communist Russia and communist Germany. We are no longer free. Our freedoms are being infringed upon. The very thing our Government says its fighting, they are inflicting on the american people. There is no representation and Americans were not asked if we agreed with this spying. Power is corruptive and the checks and balances have not stopped corruptions. I am appauled that our government in fear of terrorism has been coerced to change the way we live forever. There has always been terrorism, look at Adolph Hitler, Mousilini, and more, but in all these times what made America different was democracy, we had a choice. We now have no choice in our freedom and big govrnment is making decisions not for the people but against the people. Are we truly free? I think not.