Monday, November 22, 2010
Works Cited
1. Dr. Abd al-Khalik. "What If America Collapsed." memrieconomicblog.org. MEMRI, 10/14/2007. Web. 22 Nov 2010. .
2. Hageman, George. "Ancient Rome and Modern America." Military History Podcast . 11/27/2008. Web. 22 Nov 2010..
3. (http://cdn.praisedc.com/files//2009/07/michael-jackson-nelson-mandela.jpg) November 11, 2010.
4. Poor infrastructure fails America, civil engineers report." CNN. CNN, January 28, 2009. Web. 22 Nov 2010..
5. Health Care Ranking Compared to Other Countries." truthful politics. October 9, 2010. Web. 22 Nov 2010.
2. Hageman, George. "Ancient Rome and Modern America." Military History Podcast . 11/27/2008. Web. 22 Nov 2010.
3. (http://cdn.praisedc.com/files//2009/07/michael-jackson-nelson-mandela.jpg) November 11, 2010.
4. Poor infrastructure fails America, civil engineers report." CNN. CNN, January 28, 2009. Web. 22 Nov 2010.
5. Health Care Ranking Compared to Other Countries." truthful politics. October 9, 2010. Web. 22 Nov 2010.
Reflection of Sources
Over the past month I have researched on the topic regarding whether or not the country of America was in Decline. I searched the depths of the World Wide Web, and found some interesting information. Many people have differing opinions on the subject, and it was posted on different sites such as www.morallaw.org, articles.cnn.com, memrieconomicblog.org, www.uaff.info, militaryhistorypodcast.blogspot.com, and www.foreignaffairs.com .My favorite was the latter, it had many different articles, on different things, which I could use on my blog. This site was pretty trustworthy though it has the “com”, instead of the “org” or “info” ending.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Reflection
Over the last month I have researched the possiblity of the decline of America. I have found some very interesting data. Many people have many different views on America's current state and where it is heading. Some believe it is just going through a phase, some believe it will fall and is doomed to fall, some believe that it will lose it's dominance but will survuve. We are entering a brave new world, gone are the days of the threat of communism, but a new day with terrorism and more global competition.
We have just freshly entered a new century, the 21st, and we might have to change some of our ways to survive. Look where the 20th century began, with train and lightbulbs. Look how it ended, with atomic bombs, men walking on the moon, and America on top. Though we enter a new age, we must remember, we can not stay on top forever. Some while we are on top, make the best of it. I have read through articles that predicted doom, collapse, saying that we should stop worrying America is alright, and much more. Worrying about it won't help.
If we do fall, we can try and work our way back up to the top. The United States is a great land, and hopefully will continue to be. We need to pay off debts, better the education system, check our morals, and fix our roads and pipes. How long will America be on top is my question, but no man can answer that now. I have enjoyed reading all the facts and opinions. And I'm glad my teacher encouraged me to keep the topic. Fini, hope all the readers enjoyed.
We have just freshly entered a new century, the 21st, and we might have to change some of our ways to survive. Look where the 20th century began, with train and lightbulbs. Look how it ended, with atomic bombs, men walking on the moon, and America on top. Though we enter a new age, we must remember, we can not stay on top forever. Some while we are on top, make the best of it. I have read through articles that predicted doom, collapse, saying that we should stop worrying America is alright, and much more. Worrying about it won't help.
If we do fall, we can try and work our way back up to the top. The United States is a great land, and hopefully will continue to be. We need to pay off debts, better the education system, check our morals, and fix our roads and pipes. How long will America be on top is my question, but no man can answer that now. I have enjoyed reading all the facts and opinions. And I'm glad my teacher encouraged me to keep the topic. Fini, hope all the readers enjoyed.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Article III
“Once you have become a power, you cannot step back from it; you have aroused too much hatred. You must follow that path to the end, and the Romans chose to follow it to the end.”
Rome began as a place of fairness and place where people would hold the power, a place where tyranny would not exist. Eventually the vast empire collapsed, and life went on. Approximately 200 years, a new country came about with the same intentions. It to sought to create a place where tyranny would seize to exist and a place that would be fair and equal. Fast forward to America of today, we have overcome slavery, gender and racial disrimination, armies of the world, a great depression, sent men to the moon and back, and have survived to become the single dominant force on the planet.
Despite all the great achievements and accomplishments, today we are in danger of collapsing. Problems such as economic decline, no natural resources, environmental issues, terrorism, no production of goods, conflicting values, loss of jobs, education, old infrastructe, and plenty more things threaten the future of this great country. People like to compare the U.S. to Ancient Rome. And yes, in many ways, we are similar to them. Both were dominant global powers, both have powerful armies, and both are large. America's government was actually inspired by Ancient Rome's.
Rome had trouble in the Middle East, America is having the same trouble now (Iraq, Afghanistan). Near the end of it's days, Rome was having money trouble. People believe that Rome had a moral decay around it's time it fell, believe also believe the same is happening for America. We are in a day were sex can be shown on television, when back in the old days of television, couples slept in seperate beds! There was a Western and a Eastern Rome, like today we have Republicans and Democrats.
If America falls in the future, people have different views for it's future, while some believe it is to big to fall/fail. Nevertheless, we have had a great history, despite our failures and mistakes. Let the U.S. be remembered for its successes, that if we do fall; like Rome inspired us, we may inspire other countries. And maybe they can avoid our mistakes, and make the world a better place. God Bless America...
http://militaryhistorypodcast.blogspot.com/2007/02/ancient-rome-and-modern-america.html
Rome began as a place of fairness and place where people would hold the power, a place where tyranny would not exist. Eventually the vast empire collapsed, and life went on. Approximately 200 years, a new country came about with the same intentions. It to sought to create a place where tyranny would seize to exist and a place that would be fair and equal. Fast forward to America of today, we have overcome slavery, gender and racial disrimination, armies of the world, a great depression, sent men to the moon and back, and have survived to become the single dominant force on the planet.
Despite all the great achievements and accomplishments, today we are in danger of collapsing. Problems such as economic decline, no natural resources, environmental issues, terrorism, no production of goods, conflicting values, loss of jobs, education, old infrastructe, and plenty more things threaten the future of this great country. People like to compare the U.S. to Ancient Rome. And yes, in many ways, we are similar to them. Both were dominant global powers, both have powerful armies, and both are large. America's government was actually inspired by Ancient Rome's.
Rome had trouble in the Middle East, America is having the same trouble now (Iraq, Afghanistan). Near the end of it's days, Rome was having money trouble. People believe that Rome had a moral decay around it's time it fell, believe also believe the same is happening for America. We are in a day were sex can be shown on television, when back in the old days of television, couples slept in seperate beds! There was a Western and a Eastern Rome, like today we have Republicans and Democrats.
If America falls in the future, people have different views for it's future, while some believe it is to big to fall/fail. Nevertheless, we have had a great history, despite our failures and mistakes. Let the U.S. be remembered for its successes, that if we do fall; like Rome inspired us, we may inspire other countries. And maybe they can avoid our mistakes, and make the world a better place. God Bless America...
http://militaryhistorypodcast.blogspot.com/2007/02/ancient-rome-and-modern-america.html
Article II
“It is impossible for capitalism to survive, primarily because the system of capitalism needs some blood to suck. Capitalism used to be like an eagle, but now it's more like a vulture. It used to be strong enough to go and suck anybody's blood whether they were strong or not. But now it has become more cowardly, like the vulture, and it can only suck the blood of the helpless. As the nations of the world free themselves, the capitalism has less victims, less to suck, and it becomes weaker and weaker. It's only a matter of time in my opinion before it will collapse completely.e
-Malcolm X
America became the single most dominant force on Earth when the Soviet Union fell in late 20th Century. Only 17+ years later, that sole position is in jeopardy of being lost. Is it because the United States is a capitalist nation, and like Malcolm X said, "It is impossible for capitalism to survive". Is it true, are we bound to fall. We are motivated by greed, a good example is the medical field. Private companies are competing against one another to be on top, which produces more and more medicine, and more money for themselves. If there was no private companies, we would have lower quality medical care from the government. But what of the many left on the street because they can not afford health-care?
The Soviet Union was socialist and communist, and it has fallen already. The U.S. is often compared to Ancient Rome. Yes, similarities are there, Rome was the power of the world during its time. And yes it is said, that history repeats itself. Should we change to a socialist country, some say we are heading there already. Still, not everyone in America wants to pay for lets say, someone's health care who can not afford it. So maybe we are better as we are, capitalist. In capitalism, the poor has a chance to make a better life for themselves, take Chris Garner for an example. He rose from poverty and homeless to become a wall street legend, and his story became a movie "The Pursuit of Happyness".
An 100% capitalist will not work, but America is not that. We will just have to wait and see how things play out, time will show things out. Possibly America can survive as it is, but changes will have to come.
-Malcolm X
America became the single most dominant force on Earth when the Soviet Union fell in late 20th Century. Only 17+ years later, that sole position is in jeopardy of being lost. Is it because the United States is a capitalist nation, and like Malcolm X said, "It is impossible for capitalism to survive". Is it true, are we bound to fall. We are motivated by greed, a good example is the medical field. Private companies are competing against one another to be on top, which produces more and more medicine, and more money for themselves. If there was no private companies, we would have lower quality medical care from the government. But what of the many left on the street because they can not afford health-care?
The Soviet Union was socialist and communist, and it has fallen already. The U.S. is often compared to Ancient Rome. Yes, similarities are there, Rome was the power of the world during its time. And yes it is said, that history repeats itself. Should we change to a socialist country, some say we are heading there already. Still, not everyone in America wants to pay for lets say, someone's health care who can not afford it. So maybe we are better as we are, capitalist. In capitalism, the poor has a chance to make a better life for themselves, take Chris Garner for an example. He rose from poverty and homeless to become a wall street legend, and his story became a movie "The Pursuit of Happyness".
An 100% capitalist will not work, but America is not that. We will just have to wait and see how things play out, time will show things out. Possibly America can survive as it is, but changes will have to come.
Article I
Is America prepared for a collapse?
Honestly, what would happen if the young country falls apart? Would the people maintain a calm and balanced order, would anarchy break loose? If anarchy did break lose, the man with the most might and the biggest guns would rule. Could people get out of the country, who would take over the "United" States? There are people and media news "leaks" that say a secret meeting took place in Washington several years ago. Supposedly this meeting predicted the economy and financial stresses of 2008 and 2009. What if this is true, what if our government really did see this coming. In addition, the only way we did not fall was because the government pumped trillions of dollars into the economy. Where did this money come from, China? On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who believe that America cannot fall like Rome did. Both sides on are interesting to study on and have their own strengths and weaknesses. For now this is only speculation, but, it is always helpful to keep a watchful eye in case of things.
http://www.uaff.info/uaff_economic_news.htm
http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=40
Honestly, what would happen if the young country falls apart? Would the people maintain a calm and balanced order, would anarchy break loose? If anarchy did break lose, the man with the most might and the biggest guns would rule. Could people get out of the country, who would take over the "United" States? There are people and media news "leaks" that say a secret meeting took place in Washington several years ago. Supposedly this meeting predicted the economy and financial stresses of 2008 and 2009. What if this is true, what if our government really did see this coming. In addition, the only way we did not fall was because the government pumped trillions of dollars into the economy. Where did this money come from, China? On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who believe that America cannot fall like Rome did. Both sides on are interesting to study on and have their own strengths and weaknesses. For now this is only speculation, but, it is always helpful to keep a watchful eye in case of things.
http://www.uaff.info/uaff_economic_news.htm
http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=40
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Graph: U.S. Education, How Do We Compare?
 | |
| http://www.truthfulpolitics.com/http:/truthfulpolitics.com/comments/author/admin/page/5/ | (November 16, 2010) |
Monday, November 15, 2010
Quote #4: The Great Infrastructure
"The ranking -- which grades the condition of 15 infrastructure entities such as roads, bridges and dams -- is the same as the the last time such a report was issued, in 2005. In 2001, the grade was D+, slightly better but still poor.
Roads got a D-, with Americans spending more than 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic. "Poor conditions cost motorists $67 billion a year in repairs and operating costs. One-third of America's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 45 percent of major urban highways are congested," the engineers' report said.
Drinking water, D-. "America's drinking water systems face an annual shortfall of at least $11 billion to replace aging facilities," the report said. "Leaking pipes lose an estimated seven billion gallons of clean drinking water a day."
Once long ago, The United States was praised for its marvelous infrastructure and glorious roads. Today we live in a different world, a world where our infrastructure declines increasingly as the years go by. It is true, American infrastructure is worn and torn. In fact it is so bad, that the government doesn't have to funds to fix the roads, only patch them( that can only last for so long). The problem comes from the fact that when the problem should have been fixed, it was not. Now, there is too many to repair. Also pipe problems, wastes billions of water a day. A very bad problem indeed, however, how will we address it? U.S. debt is currently passed a trillion dollars, the future generations will pay dearly.
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-28/us/infrastructure.report.card_1_drinking-water-infrastructure-aging?_s=PM:US (November 16,2010)
Roads got a D-, with Americans spending more than 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic. "Poor conditions cost motorists $67 billion a year in repairs and operating costs. One-third of America's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 45 percent of major urban highways are congested," the engineers' report said.
Drinking water, D-. "America's drinking water systems face an annual shortfall of at least $11 billion to replace aging facilities," the report said. "Leaking pipes lose an estimated seven billion gallons of clean drinking water a day."
Once long ago, The United States was praised for its marvelous infrastructure and glorious roads. Today we live in a different world, a world where our infrastructure declines increasingly as the years go by. It is true, American infrastructure is worn and torn. In fact it is so bad, that the government doesn't have to funds to fix the roads, only patch them( that can only last for so long). The problem comes from the fact that when the problem should have been fixed, it was not. Now, there is too many to repair. Also pipe problems, wastes billions of water a day. A very bad problem indeed, however, how will we address it? U.S. debt is currently passed a trillion dollars, the future generations will pay dearly.
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-28/us/infrastructure.report.card_1_drinking-water-infrastructure-aging?_s=PM:US (November 16,2010)
Quote #3: Education System, Failing?
"We've been asleep for a good number of years as a country," says Richard Freeman, an economics professor at Harvard. "It's not that we're doing horrible. But the other guys are moving faster."
"The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development places the United States 18th among the 36 nations examined, USA Today reported Wednesday. "
This topic is regarding America's education. It is true that America's ranking among the rest of the world's countries have gotten lower. Just because our scores have gotten lower compared to the rest of the world, it does not mean that America as become less intelligenible. Maybe Richard Freeman is right, "we've been asleep"; for we must remember that when America was producing nukes, other countries were just becoming urban. Did we as a country feel that, because once long ago we were more advanced than other countries, that the same tricks would work forever?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Quote #2: Resurrection...
"We are here to change the world"
- Michael Jackson
If America is falling apart, the generation in charge now and the upcoming has a chance to fix it. Instead of accepting things how they are we can strive to make a America and the world along with it, a better place. It starts with us, the government can not fix everything. The change starts with us, we are the people. The government is supposed to be run by us, and for us. If we see the government is not performing well enough, we have to decide that we are tired of it and change. Yes in the past there has been problems with issues like sex and race, and yes America was wrong for how it treated its citizens. However today is a new day, and we must put this behind us now. People being greedy, corrupt, and selfish is not going to go over well. America needs to stop trying to tell other countries how to do right, when it's not doing right. How do we think we can help others, if we are either not willing or can not help ourselves. It's up to us, we must decide.
(http://cdn.praisedc.com/files//2009/07/michael-jackson-nelson-mandela.jpg) November 11, 2010
- Michael Jackson
If America is falling apart, the generation in charge now and the upcoming has a chance to fix it. Instead of accepting things how they are we can strive to make a America and the world along with it, a better place. It starts with us, the government can not fix everything. The change starts with us, we are the people. The government is supposed to be run by us, and for us. If we see the government is not performing well enough, we have to decide that we are tired of it and change. Yes in the past there has been problems with issues like sex and race, and yes America was wrong for how it treated its citizens. However today is a new day, and we must put this behind us now. People being greedy, corrupt, and selfish is not going to go over well. America needs to stop trying to tell other countries how to do right, when it's not doing right. How do we think we can help others, if we are either not willing or can not help ourselves. It's up to us, we must decide.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Picture #2
Monday, November 8, 2010
Picture #1
 |
| This picture represents the decline of America. The fire is it's decline, and the Statue of Liberty and the flag shows how this country is deteriorating because of the fire. Eventually if the fire is not put out, there will be nothing left but remains of what was, what used to be. Is this a true representation of the current state of our beloved land, can the fire be put out; can the country be saved? |
Quote #1:Fate of Christianity in America
America has become a highly tolerant nation for every religion except Christianity. This year (2010) it was under discussion by the courts as to whether the National Day of Prayer was technically legal. We have a President who as publicly said that America is not a “Christian” nation but a nation for all faiths. Christian freedom in America is slowly, quietly, being taken away little by little. Since when can a person go to jail for praying on a park bench at a gay parade?
It’s no secret that Christians believe homosexuality is a sin, but if we want to sit quietly and pray that’s our business. Now, if that man had been screaming “you’re going to hell fags!” I would probably want to put them in jail too. I understand to an extent why Christians have such a bad name in America. We see “Christian radicals” constantly standing on street corners yelling and screaming of death, hell and judgment.
We hear about Christians who act as though they are better than the rest of the world. But that is not what true Christianity is. As Christians in America it is hard because of these “Radical Christians” who are making it hard for the real Christians to love people and meet the needs of this country. We are already seeing our religious freedoms slipping little by little. Already the country is being less tolerant of Christians and a day is coming when we will no longer be tolerated. "
- Sierra White
"In God We Trust", "One Nation, Under God", "God save the United States and this Honorable Court","God Bless America", LAUS DEO," Latin for "Praise be to God", "so help me God"...
Arguing whether or not the United States was founded on Christianity would be a battle difficult to fight. Yes, the Bill of Rights give its citizens the freedom of religion. Nevertheless, what is America most associated with: Buddha,Muslim, Hindu, no, Christianity. So why should this be changed, so we won't offend other religions? Yes there is a difference between being radical, and just practicing your own beliefs. But, if other religions can practice their beliefs and customs, then people who are Christian should get the same right.
http://www.morallaw.org/America_Acknowledges_God.html
It’s no secret that Christians believe homosexuality is a sin, but if we want to sit quietly and pray that’s our business. Now, if that man had been screaming “you’re going to hell fags!” I would probably want to put them in jail too. I understand to an extent why Christians have such a bad name in America. We see “Christian radicals” constantly standing on street corners yelling and screaming of death, hell and judgment.
We hear about Christians who act as though they are better than the rest of the world. But that is not what true Christianity is. As Christians in America it is hard because of these “Radical Christians” who are making it hard for the real Christians to love people and meet the needs of this country. We are already seeing our religious freedoms slipping little by little. Already the country is being less tolerant of Christians and a day is coming when we will no longer be tolerated. "
- Sierra White
"In God We Trust", "One Nation, Under God", "God save the United States and this Honorable Court","God Bless America", LAUS DEO," Latin for "Praise be to God", "so help me God"...
Arguing whether or not the United States was founded on Christianity would be a battle difficult to fight. Yes, the Bill of Rights give its citizens the freedom of religion. Nevertheless, what is America most associated with: Buddha,Muslim, Hindu, no, Christianity. So why should this be changed, so we won't offend other religions? Yes there is a difference between being radical, and just practicing your own beliefs. But, if other religions can practice their beliefs and customs, then people who are Christian should get the same right.
http://www.morallaw.org/America_Acknowledges_God.html
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Preliminary links and descriptions
money.usnews.com
This website contains alot of articles,not exactly on the topic,however, I can just peiece the information together to form a paper.
www.foreignaffairs.com
This website has quite a few different articles regarding the United States. The site also has articles on other countries, which should make my research easier.
www.realclearworld.com
Like the money.usnews.com site, this website features a lot of articles. So I could just peiece the information together and make an interesting paper.
www.foundationwebsite.org
The paper I found on this site is made by a Independent New Age Candidate for the US House of Representatives, it has alot of interesting information and other articles of interest to read some more/
This website contains alot of articles,not exactly on the topic,however, I can just peiece the information together to form a paper.
www.foreignaffairs.com
This website has quite a few different articles regarding the United States. The site also has articles on other countries, which should make my research easier.
www.realclearworld.com
Like the money.usnews.com site, this website features a lot of articles. So I could just peiece the information together and make an interesting paper.
www.foundationwebsite.org
The paper I found on this site is made by a Independent New Age Candidate for the US House of Representatives, it has alot of interesting information and other articles of interest to read some more/
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What I Want to Know
For this topic, there is much I want to know. In order to prove that America is declining first I need to know it's statistics during the country's entire lifetime compared to others. Is America really in decline or did it just stop progressing while the rest of the world has continusally grown and caught up? Was America ever really on top? If America was on top, how long were we? Will other countries be kind to us if we lose our role as superpower?Are things such as the decline of the dollar, failure of the education system, growing number of obsese people, and rotting infrastructure just a phase we have to go through; will it one day improve?What can we do to change it and apsire to inspire the rest of the world? Some believe America has fallen, but it can rise again; while others believe that this great country will never return to it's glory days. This truly a fascinating topic that can only be proven or disproven with research.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
What I Know
I know that many people believe that America is on the decline and have for years. I also know that America is lagging in education, while other countries are excelling. This will probably show in the near future if it is true, because this generation will be in charge. Also America's infrastructure is rotting away, and the country does not have enough money to deal with the problem as a whole. This really isn’t the recent generation's fault though, but they will inherit the rising debts. America is also waning in world influence, China is our equal now. I am interested in seeing if America truly is declining.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
the Story behind the Choice
Some believe people believe that countries like India will overtake the US America America
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