I refuse to accept the premise of the title: “The Decline and Fall of the American Empire.”
Where I live, the people are made of sterner stuff than compose the lilly liver guts of the various RINOs, surrender monkeys and French white-flag wavers.
For those who have surrendered, I have no use for you.
I see from your post that I am among those for whom you have no use. Too bad, but one must face the situation realistically. I applaud your optimism, though. I wish that I felt the same but I can’t.