The end of American empire -- closer than we think?

Not the end of America but rather the end of our arrogance and bullying.

I'm for that, and you and I can say that, we're Americans. Vierotchka needs to shut her trap and worry about her own country's emperialistic goals. You think Putin doesn't want to take over the world?

America will still exist, but as a nation of cheap laborers. More than likely making stuff for China, in order to pay off the near impossible dept they owe them.

Well said, Tyr.
I'd vote that you, and the always succinct and erudite White Noise, have a radio show for all the poor sods living like mushrooms, stranded in the dark in lost America.
Current radio, anyone?

Re: "We were fantastic when we had no competition, now that we do, our illusion of ..what was it the republicans called it?..oh yes " exceptionalism " has been exposed. "

You are absolutely SPOT ON !!

Great comments.

"We are now watching this country unravel and to be honest, I think long term it will be a good thing for us to take our place along side the rest of the nations of the world and stop acting like we own them. You know, the attitude of " how did our oil get under their sand?"

I AGREE 100%

WhiteNoise, thinking beyond their base would take effort. I see no ground given up for what is right by the right wingers, they will get what they deserve. The blind following their seeing eye dogs with microphones, they will follow to the end. The end is of course a cliff into the abyss of the unknown.

Understood, this is but the final peg of a well elaborated mindfuck ;)
...

As an alternative to overt repression, the industrialists sought to develop a cultural ethos more simpatico with corporate prosperity. In their new world picture, machines became the model for society, and people were the cogs within it—increasingly disconnected from their own sense of technical expertise or whatever unique contributions they might make to the process of production. They were replaceable. The function of the industrial corporation was to extract value from people’s work, for the economic benefit of the nation. This meant disconnecting people from the wealth they might be creating through their labors, and substituting a less costly sense of satisfaction or, at the very least, compliance.
So leading industrialists funded public schools—at once gifts to the working class and powerful tools for growing a more docile labor force. They hired education reformers, like Stanford’s Ellwood P. Cubberley, to design a public school system based on a Prussian method that sought to produce what he called “mediocre intellects . . . and ensure docile citizens.” Cubberley modeled our public schools after “factories, in which the raw product [the children] are to be shaped and fashioned . . . according to the specifications laid down.” -Douglas Rushkof / LIFE INC. http://rushkoff.com/books/life-incorporated/life-inc-chapter-one/

'Take our country back'? And give it to whom? The Republicans? That's not the way it works. Democrats took back the lead in America, using votes, not violence. They didn't overthrow the Republicans, we voted them out! Period!

To mislead ordinary Americans into thinking they can take their country back, is just crazy. They are misleading ordinary Americans into thinking they have a better answer than our voting process. They are misleading them! Violence is not the answer! Overthrowing the government we elected is not the answer!

Using terms like 'death panels', 'death books', 'pulling the plug on Granny' is blatantly misleading! People who blatantly mislead, should not be the voices we hear! Unfortunately, those are the voices mainstream media chooses to promote. Sad, sad, sad!

@conniepae: You do understand that USA is NOT a Democracy, it IS a Republic? Your vote does not decide who the President of the US is, instead we have an Electoral College that decides that for us. Have you ever researched who the electorates are for your state? You did not vote your leaders into power, the corporations did. Obviously you agree with their marketing campaign otherwise you wouldn't be singing the jingle from their commercials for us, which proves their PR is still working, even as they steal your prosperity from you.

Sorry clay, but they have earned the contempt.

The voices of the right today are wrong.

I actually wanted Gore/Hagel '08. I wanted both parties to get us back on course. But that did not happen and the Republicans who could work to unite America, remain silent. They are guilty by association. They are accepting the ones who are speaking today, so they have chosen to follow along with those who are inciting violence and rhetoric, trying to regain power through violence and intimidation.

Re: "We are not going to give the Republicans, our government, because they use violence and rhetoric as a political tool."

The GOP is not a political party! It is a crime syndicate and a KOOKY cult.

"Kid's heads are filled with so many nonfacts that when they get out of school they're totally unprepared to do anything. They can't read, they can't write, they can't think. Talk about child abuse. The school system as a whole qualifies. Go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts... " - Frank Zappa

That's cool if you want to get off topic and talk about education, but if you'd like to comment; please try to stick to the real issue.

Isn't there a direct relation between education & what one CAN understand ?

If our education system as a whole is designed to produce a nation of village idiots so intellectual pabulum as 6000 years old dinosaurs living in harmony with Fred Flinstone... well, how prepare are they to understand ANYTHING AT ALL?

SAMPLE

As an alternative to overt repression, the industrialists sought to develop a cultural ethos more simpatico with corporate prosperity. In their new world picture, machines became the model for society, and people were the cogs within it—increasingly disconnected from their own sense of technical expertise or whatever unique contributions they might make to the process of production. They were replaceable. The function of the industrial corporation was to extract value from people’s work, for the economic benefit of the nation. This meant disconnecting people from the wealth they might be creating through their labors, and substituting a less costly sense of satisfaction or, at the very least, compliance.

So leading industrialists funded public schools—at once gifts to the working class and powerful tools for growing a more docile labor force. They hired education reformers, like Stanford’s Ellwood P. Cubberley, to design a public school system based on a Prussian method that sought to produce what he called “mediocre intellects . . . and ensure docile citizens.” Cubberley modeled our public schools after “factories, in which the raw product [the children] are to be shaped and fashioned . . . according to the specifications laid down.”

Still, a public school system alone didn’t guarantee a compliant population—not when intellectuals, artists, philosophers, and labor-union organizers still seemed to emerge from its ranks and so easily foment dissidence wherever they went. - Douglas Rushkof / LIFE INC.
http://rushkoff.com/books/life-incorporated/life-inc-chapter-one/

END PRODUCT

"We have become a monster in the eyes of the whole world – a nation of bullies and bastards who would rather kill than live peacefully. We are not just whores for power and oil, but killer whores with hate and fear in our hearts. We are human scum, and that is how history will judge us… No redeeming social value. Just whores. Get out of our way, or we’ll kill you." – Hunter S. Thompson

"That great whistleblower Tom Paine warned that if the majority of the people were denied the truth and the ideas of truth, it was time to storm what he called the Bastille of words. That time is now. " - John Pilger

"We are watching a poorly staged rendition of Wag the Dog , interpreted for the morbidly stupid and performed by the criminally insane." - Jules Carlysle

I admire your passion "Whitenoise"

for you, i will engage in what u want to talk about a bit, I would really like to explain what i commented about regarding this article about the end of the American Empire earlier as well though, deal?

The points you had made and the greats you have quoted, really help support a great discussion on not only education, but how the public is educated. And by comfort zone and choice to fit in, society "they" is created, and like a religion, will never die.

I realize each person is born on this planet, dumb to society, uneducated on the "right-way" and each person is free to go fit their silly puddy minds into a public mold, or choose to meditate and find them self, therefor living an "alternative life"

-----------
I would like to now re-explain my comment about the American Empire going down.

Countries in Europe/Asia are the "old folks":
They are old, they made their own mistakes a long time ago, they know the ropes, they have stories, and tradition.

America is the "teenager":
She so badly wants to be the biggest baddest thing, and she wanted to accomplish being the shit instantly. We, and the old folks know, it takes time. She's too young to have tradition, she has a big teenage ego, like when a lost boy has too much pride to stop and ask "somebody else" like "the old folks" for directions, and America, well she's fed up with losing, she simply can't deal. But she is learning from her mistakes, and in time she will build a beautiful character and grow up to be a fine woman.

Keep in mind, nobody's perfect
like myself, i admit, reading the news was nice in the morning, but it's a sunny day, and frankly i'm uninspired, but the sun is hot, i got to go take advantage of it. peace out

took the words right out of my mouth.

Re: "The corporate form will survive because it is a necessary legal fiction to protect the assets of our endemic system of capital ventures"

Corporations are mere legal abstractions, yet given the 'rights' accorded real 'human beings' But that's another issue.

If the ECONOMY should collapse, the corporations made possible by it, will likewise go the way of the DODO and the Roman Empire.

May I suggest reading this free chapter from LIFE INC...

CHAPTER ONE
ONCE REMOVED: THE CORPORATE LIFE- FORM
http://rushkoff.com/books/life-incorporated/life-inc-chapter-one/

"The country is headed toward a single and splendid government of an aristocracy founded on banking institutions and monied corporations, and if this tendency continues it will be the end of freedom and democracy, the few will be ruling and riding over the plundered plowman and the beggar" - Thomas Jefferson

The article "Corporate Life" at rushkoff.com was really excellent, White Noise. Good reference. The historical time line was compelling; lots of fun facts to know & tell, as they say.
I'm still trying to absorb the conclusions, but thank you for that.

Re: "Remember this ugly little item ;)"

That picture alone sums up the Depression years and reminds us: YES --it can happen again. And unless DC can pull a miracle out of their dumb asses, it will happen again.

I truly love all of your responces! thank you for knowing your facts! truly astonishing... i wish every one would refer to history... i truly does repeat itself because people refuse to slow down and think... sad.

thanx for that. It should be posted as an "opinion" article in its own right.

Bill speaks the truth . Thanks for this .

yes actually she would clay, because she is not so close to the forest that she can't see the trees.

That is a hard pill to swallow. But I am afraid you may be correct.
The way corporate America has been allowed to run is totally unsustainable and it is only a matter of time before all collapses.
Well...it has already collapsed, to a point. We have a good President, and I do believe he is supported by the majority of the people. Time will tell how well his policies do.

@csmonut: I didn't vote for McCain, as I have no faith in either corporate controlled party, but I'm curious as to why you think "We have a good President"? What has he done to qualify him as a good President? Giving more tax dollars to the foreign and domestic banks that have already robbed us, borrowing to spend, extending and expanding WARS and Bush Jr. policies...this is not good

Lol, the funny thing is that we have had this conversation at uni a number of time and the general consensus is that only Americans still believe that they are an 'Empire'. Your time has come and gone mate, much in the same manner of the British, French and Spanish before you.

Whitey, once again you've got it pegged.

you are one of the few pro-americans left ! march on

we better hurry !

The notion that corporations --in fact mere legal abstractions --have 'rights' is absolutely absurd on its face.

A corporation, for example, does NOT have the right of free speech. When that fact is recognized MUCH corporate sponsoring. propagandizing and outright brainwashing will cease immediately.

Something needs to be changed. Both parties. Each has there own little special brand of crooks. Bush and all his war crimes, The republicans who cant keep it in their pants, torture. The democrats and their complete inability to pay their taxes. Caving in to big business when they used to be more for the poor all in the name of the almighty dollar, lets be real here obama is getting the troops outta iraq and they are going right over to afghanistan. Gitmo is still open. They all lie.

I read the entire article and in it the writer claims that the 2 party system needs to go. I couldnt agree more. They make the rules that makes it hard for the independant guy to ever get any air time or into the debates. They want the 2 party system. They want us to fight over which party is right. The last thing they ever want is to abolish the 2 party system.

Oh and to answer your question No I dont think I did read those posts. I will check out your submissions.

lenhart, in a mere stroke of a pen a legal clerk gave corporations and the supreme court more rights than you or me have. When I have posted such articles of the illegal corporate person hood I get maybe 5 responses, the American people have been so dumbed down the wave of ignorance has already drowned them. Corporations and the handfull of men on the boards that control them are the rift raft that have been in charge for over a century. When the people go hungry and homeless maybe then they will wake up, but I fear the old drilled into their retarded minds prejudices will be their enemy. Again and again we are doomed to repeat history.

who are you and what have you done with ihatethemall?

fucking righteous view brah!

Absolutely

Shit man, thats always my opinion. I hate them all.
I only seem more anti democrat here because this is a prodemocrat site.