Do you this USA is going through a decline?
951935
The US is on the decline.  The Romans began to decline when they went to  a mercenary army and so are  we now.  It is a symptom of no longer being willing to make the burdens shared by all, but instead hiring them done.  As we continue to  outsource jobs and pile up trade debt to countries like China, we become more and more dependent and beholding to others.  We continue to have the strongest military, but it won't  be long until China's economy will challenge our own.  And as we erode our moral leadership on the world's stage, we will also lose respect. Further, the quality of education in  this country has fallen so far that our math and science scores are now 38th in the world, and we are in a competitive hi-tech  world economy, we will shortly lose our competitive edge and head in the  direction of  our  scores.  So probably China will become the next superpower on the way up,and unless we do something about our debt and world respectability, we will soon pass them on the way down.
321940
I think at this moment in time, anything can improve the economy.  I can't even imagine it going downhill from here.  It has gotten so bad in some parts, the only place to look is up.  I think the only thing that can bring the economy down is shipping off millions of immigrants who take the jobs that most native citizens couldn't afford to take anyway.
1039649
socially, isnt that subjective? a lot has changed, but whether that's considered progress or decline is debatable. (50's housewives, 60-70s civil rights movement, hippies, etc, 80-90's hair bands and fads etc etc)\n\neconomically, we've been doing the same cycle of highs and lows as the economy is historically known to do, though if you're talking about economic systems and structure of american economy, not too much has changed.\n\ntechnologically speaking of course, there has been plenty of progress, at an exponentially higher rate than ever before.  (medicine, internet, even video games and cars)
301916
To all those looking at USA and hoping it goes down, please take note that if we in the USA go down we will not go down quietly. It is not our style. \n\nWe will almost certainly take down some large fraction of the rest of the world with us. That is not a threat or even a wish, it is just realism.\n\nHope for the USA to change? Fine, I'm with you. Hope for the USA to lighten/loosen up a bit on world affairs? I don't agree, but I understand why you feel that way. Hope for the USA to go down, to fall, to fail? You are asking for one whole pile of worldwide collateral damage. So watch out.
135239
God knows.  Sometimes I think it started with this Neocon PNAC invasion of Iraq, but it seems to me that ever since the end of WW II, the US has tried to assert its dominance over much of the world.  We seem to have lost our way since Bush stole the first election.  Byzantium, China, Persia, the Ottomans, Rome, Great Brittain, France...and the good ole USA.\nthey all decline and fall.
316483
It is the assumption that the USA is or ever was an Empire that will bring the fall. And yes, we, the USA, have been acting rather pompus. Rome comes to mind... \n\nI think that if we keep on at the rate we are going, our fate will follow that of the Roman Empire. (In a lose parallel...)\n\nEmpires are built by emperors. If you ask me, we made a mistake votting Bush Jr. into office. and then wtf, he was elected again!! Very suspicious if you ask me.
388511
This is a great question and quite frankly, a grave concern.  America is truly spinning out of control.  Prices cannot continue to raise the way that they do, while wages raising at less than half the rate of real estate.  \n\nMy honest opinion....taking the national debt into consideration, that we can thank Mr. Bush for making even bigger (yes, I am a republican).  Taking into account the fact that the average household has credit card debt in excess of $10,000.00 and many other issues, I think that we are in some deep, deep trouble.  I don't think that we will ever recover from this and I truly think that the downfall of America will absolutely be due to money.
706025
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.
627339
IT'S OVERDUE PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IF WE DON'T STEP UP NOW WE WILL LOSE EVEN MORE.WE ARE DEVELOPING A NATION OF THE SUPER RICH AND THE SUPER POOR.THE MIDDLE CLASS IS DISAPPEARING.
568471
Well, it sucks for the US.
375122
Bush's support is currently in the mid 30s. It has consistently gone down his whole time in office though, so it will probably drop further.
1064784
Yes, the birthrate of US citizens (as in most developed countries) has dropped below replacement level (2 children for every man and woman), thus if it weren't for immigration the US population would actually be decreasing.
932030
Not badly, especially compared with the east and west coasts. There has been a downturn, but it's really been slight, partially because the market was not overvalued, and also because the state has enjoyed record economic growth and employment.
296610
I don't believe we will fall to another country but will fall internally. All great nations have before and will also in the future. More than likely when our economy begins to fail.
591660
No, there are so many problems right now, such as the War in Iraq, the immigration bill, and our horrendous national deficit, but no one seems to be making great enough strides to solve these problems.
822028
America.... unemployment 4.7% and falling\nGermany...unemployment over 10% and rising\n\nNot to hard to choose...
1115968
I believe that we are. We have gotten fed up with the way the country is being run. Many, myself included, are fed up with the way illegal  immigrants are mollycoddled by our government. They break laws and are given rewards for it. They paid little, if any into our economy or taxes, and yet they are allowed to use and abuse our tax-paid programs, which WE paid for. Then they SEND money back to their homelands, taking revenue AWAY from the USA. That money is GONE from our country's economy, it's not revenue for the USA. It is revenue for THAT country. Americans are beginning to see what is going on.  Many still need to open their eyes and pay attention.\n\nI have written my congressmen and senators and I have signed petitions. I talk to my neighbors,friends and family and it really surprises me that some of them are not aware of what is going on.  I guess they think it is just a Southwestern problem, not everybody's problem. When I talk to them and point out things they hadn't took the time to notice, then  they start paying attention. I have noticed some companies I call on the phone only have one button to push now, for Spanish, otherwise they get English. Small step, but it's a start. Bigger things need to happen, we can't stop fighting for the rights of the American citizens in the USA and to abolish the injustices our leaders have put on us.