Is our government in a state of turmoil? Is it steadily declining?
373224
no. it's that simple, no we are not.
677313
corruption in government is a given. as far as i know the data to support the claim that the number of corrupt politicians is increasing are incomplete. so we cant really say. it could only be that people are becoming more aware of their leaders' corrupt ways.
619768
sadly not much, and this is only referring to the basic system here and how it should work.  if one extends the idea of knowledge of the system to include government actions and such, its probably even lower.  i would like to think i have a fair understanding of it overall, but i know very little actually except what manages to leak out about what goes on behind the closed doors in dc.  a more process transparent government would be very nice.
468802
I definitely agree that our society is going downhill.  Unfortunately, it agrees with history.\n\nIf you look back on all of the great societies of the past, Egyptian, Roman, Babylon, etc.  they have all crumbled for one reason or another.\n\nI hate to think that our society is on the same path but looking around it's hard not to think that way.  Our government is trying to conquer the world, politically.  The claim that other countries are wrong if they do not share our same views.\n\nThe U.S. is the lone Super Power in the world today, but China and India are making up ground at an unbelievable pace.\n\nI love America and I want nothing more than our society to flourish, not to be torn apart by our government's incompetence and inability.
846372
I don't understand what the republics problem is... Hell are you really happy with the way things are going? The Government is taking away freedoms... We're in a country we SHOULDN"T have ever even VISITED let alone take over... (you can't argue there I mean "weapons of mass destrution" in Iraq when there are ACTUAL weapons in Japan to be concerned about... But we cant do anything about that, our troups are in Iraq.) This countries going to end if things don't change. Lets not even talk about the debt we're racking up. Jobs leaving. Economy *hit... What scares everyone SO bad about things changing (it can only get better)
853206
I think for the last year President Bush has been the fall guy for Rumsfield but loyalty is high on his agenda. His administration has more friends than many think - the election is over & to take the next election will require unity. We proved every man for himself did not work. The ranks will close. My state went 82% Republican including several Democrat seats to state Senate & House. We split our national House seats. Conservatives & Moderates will learn the Democrats do not speak for them. This could be a good thing - sacrificial lambs.
390961
Obviously it is declining. George Bush has the lowest poll ratings since Nixon. Largest Deficits in history, No child left behind is a failed policy, Medicare is a disaster; Scandals involving his and Cheney's chief's of staff, Illegal wire taps, outing spies, cover-ups about war in Iraq; Gas prices $3.00 and predicted to get to $5.00 per gal.. I am a democrat, but do not involve myself in name-calling. FOX NEWS always puts there SPIN MACHINE into action, as to shed the best light on the issues, and blame Bill Clinton for many of GWB's problems. After 6 years of GWB's failing policies, too many mistakes have been made. The republicans are trying to get their mojo back, who knew they had it before? Bush is doing great for the late night comics, you can't make up this ridiculous stuff.
276492
Looks like it.\nBad government, numerous tragedies and natural disasters, slowing economy, lots of outsourcing, jobs are going to foreigners who're going to take jobs for less pay and more hours...\nTime to buck up, and head back to the glorious days.
1006480
The US is still very bi-partisan, democrats & republicans. Others are starting to emerge, but are still mainly grassroots.
436992
this would be interesting except for your last point.  Look at our system.  We already have one in place and its not working. The Executie Branch has gained a ton of power and the Leg and Jud brances have lost their power.  It's become about helping each other out instead of maintaining balance.  Otherwise your outline exists in Canada.
878277
We can sure hope so. It's starting off pretty good. Our Nation needs to support unity and good thinking. Time will tell.
880771
People are sick of the way things are going... Everyones being affected by some of the things our governments done... Most not in a good way... People want change. Simple as that
265665
As far as the U.S. goes, I see it becoming eventually more like an oligarchy. With the "dumbing down" of the population, we will be in control of the power elite. Few people will have knowlege and power while the rest of the population is so apathetic and uneducated they won't care.\nNot accusing, just warning.
991769
I agree that America is going downhill fast!! I love the country but not the way it is being run by a bunch of idiots.
309457
People are good. \nThe govt need to change its attitude.
1025846
I hope so. There are decent moderate people on both sides of the aisle. We've had to deal with the extremes (left and right) for too long. It'd be nice to have someone in the middle. Very few Americans are on the fringes like most of our choices have been lately.
259913
I feel like the USA has been lacking leadership for a very long time.  Even the Clinton administration pulled a ton of crap over on the world.  It seems like politics is really made up of the wealthy playing games to me.