[BGHater]

'It can be stated that the decline of American influence is of no interest to the majority of average Americans. Moreover, many assume that the so-called end of the US empire will mean more American money will be spent at home. Still, the shrinking of the US's imperial presence in Africa and elsewhere would correspondingly shrink its access to vital natural resources. At the same time, access to these resources will increase China's economic might and influence all over the world, the US included.

This aspect of America's global influence has not been discussed by any of the contenders for the presidency. And this is easily understood: the average Joe believes that the American system in both its internal and external applications works perfectly well. Just replace a "bad" president with a "good" one, whoever he or she will be, and the problems will be solved. '

[TexanToTheCore]

Empire?

Have you goofballs lost your mind?

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Russians are anti-American even when it doesn't serve their interests, it's just a knee-jerk reaction. This author had better hope that his prognostications are wrong.

[illiac]

If it were not for our country, most of those in Europe and the far east would be under the Russian empire. How soon they forget.....

[deuteronlmy232]

The reason is simple: US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are badly stretched, and the pleas of US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to European countries to send more combat troops have fallen on deaf ears. Still, John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, notes that the war could proceed "for a hundred years".

Is there anthing to exspensive for the US tax payer? For, if the europeans won't help defend them from the terrorist, why not just do it for them? After all we wouldn't want to have to pick lettuce for only 50 dollars an hour.

[enough_idiocy]

I stopped reading at “the war could proceed ‘for a hundred years’”

If the author is too stupid to comprehend what McCain actually said or too disingenious to report it accurately, there's nothing of value in the rest of his piece.

[ASOC]

Like the author or not - he has a good point.

Just as we wore down the old Soviet - causing it to spend itself out of existence, are the folks from China & Russia doing the same to us, via surrogates in the ME.

And 'Empire', as used contextually, is probably accurate.

Pax Britannia came and left. Now, Pax Americana may be on its way out.

[Zhang Fei]

Still, the shrinking of the US's imperial presence in Africa and elsewhere would correspondingly shrink its access to vital natural resources.

That's a silly assertion. You mean mineral suppliers won't sell to the US when we have less troops overseas? Does China have problem buying iron ore because it doesn't have troops near Australia or Brazil?

[indthkr]

bump for later..........