I see America as a declining empire (which is not a criticism). I wonder if you do.
I brought this up with a professor back in '78. I could see the writing on the wall. My question to him was, "Do you think declining empires tend to focus on the trivial and ignore the major issues that are causing them to become a declining empire?"
He actually said that he'd never thought of that and thought it was a good question.
But seriously, we are concerned with marijuana, gay marriage, and any of the latest panic buttons. We are building giant iron gates in my town around the Coast Guard Station. What? Is Bin Laden coming by canoe to invade my little college town here on Lake Superior?
ISIS, ebola...it's gonna get you.
The college students in Ann Arbor used to protest over an unjust war and civil rights. Last Thursday they protested over the d*** athletic director not doing a good job (of winning).
I guess it's very likely that I am old and out of touch. I just think I see what I thought was going to happen all those years ago.
(btw. Please don't hesitate to totally disagree, name call, criticize my points. I understand.)