Correct, Stoic,
Socialism was not invented until long after our Revolution--we soundly rejected it during the post-WWI era. FDR couldn't revive it during the Depression, his more extreme ideas (WPA, NRA) were rejected by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Any number of socialists have stated that the US Constitution precludes socialism, but it has and will be tried again, I'm sure. Americans are people who believe the "rich" should have tax cuts because they all believe they will, one day, be one of them. And our social mobility proves it.
As to George Kennan's quote: he was speaking in the immediate post-WWII period when America had 50% of the world's product. Those Asian countries did envy us, so much so they took after us. Japan became the world's second largest economy (a status they still hold despite the lost '90s and shrinking population, might not last though). Korea, after a devastating war, rebuilt into a rich, educated society (11th largest). Singapore became, well, Singapore, as did Hong Kong. We buy clothes here from Laos, Vietnam, Phillipines, enriching those people the old-fashioned way-creating work. China and India are regaining their historic position in the world's economy. But it will take decades for either to reach anything like parity with the US. After all, we have grown at 3.5% for decades and it will continue. We currently have the third largest population and about 28% of the world's product, a percentage that has actually grown over the last 25 years, despite Asian growth. In other words, the pie keeps getting bigger.
Guns are merely an American symbol, like the car and the Wild West, of American individualism and liberty. Your posts show envy and short-sightedness It is Europe that is doomed, the rising population of ill-integrated Muslims, representing the future, aging native populations living in retirement or as expats. In fact, something like 10% of British are expat now; whole businesses in Europe are devoted to aiding expats find new lives overseas.
Sixty years later, we have certainly declined--we are down to 28% and everyone on this planet are wonderfully better off than in 1948. You have misread that quote, Americans have been very pragmatic about our own interests and the world's We guarantee the freedom of the seas, a role lost by the British in two conflicts. We are the one's called during any emergency or conflict, think the Balkans. It costs us dearly, in blood and treasure, but we do it out of self-interest and by doing so enrich the world. Adam Smith as a diplomat.
Doomed, I think not. GF
Last edited by galaxy flyer; 31st Mar 2008 at 23:39.