State of the Union

Recently on the blogs, in journals and in the media, a common thread has developed. The message that is being espoused has to do with the downfall of America. There are several viewpoints that are worth reading.

Alfred McCoy wants to know if the "demise of the United States as the global superpower could come far more quickly than anyone imagines" in, 4 Scenarios for the Coming Collapse of the American Empire.

Andy Kroll wonders whether "creating a country of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich" is where the United States is headed when he asks, How the Oligarchs Took Over America.

Charlie Stross has a tongue-in-cheek, "working hypothesis ... Why do we feel so politically powerless? Why is the world so obviously going to hell in a handbasket?" in his "admittedly whimsical," Invader from Mars.

Paul Krugman differs with the views of Charlie Stross by pointing out that "what we call civilization has usually been a form of kleptocracy" in his article, The Conscience of a Liberal.

And to round off the opinions is Glenn Beck, who has been known to stoke fires of upheaval on his T.V. show. On Dec 9th, he silently wrote on his chalkboard, "The Revolution is NOW." According to Sarah Seltzer at AlterNet, Glenn warned viewers that "the chaos from WikiLeaks and "Operation Payback" would essentially lead to them being turned out of house and home by a band of bandanna-wearing, weapon-toting Marxist anarchists (I only exaggerate slightly)."