The USA is finished so are you ready for your grandchildren to live under despotism?

[RollingJ]

1 minute ago, Bamanamanana said:

 

Do I?

 

It's costing the UK far more than everything mentioned in the post I responded to.

 

It is the elephant in the room in any discussion that involves frittering away money that could have been better used elsewhere.

OK

[Beechwood_S6]

35 minutes ago, Anna B said:

 

Britain is doing exactly the same thing. Instead of spending its dwindling resources on fixing infrastructure etc for the future, it's spending it on weapon systems and vanity schemes trying to bolster its standing in the world community as if it's still a super power. 

2 ways to be a superpower population size and having the most advanced technology.

Currently U.S have the tech lead on everyone even China.

  

[geared]

China catch up fast but they've got a myriad of their own issues, they could or perhaps already should have overtaken America as the number one economy.  Except state control is holding them back and holds them at an impass.  Further ratcheting up of controls is good for the ruling party, but it's stifling growth.  Relaxing controls will unlock growth, but risks the states grip on power as the population grow accustomed to freedoms and increased wealth.

 

 

[Beechwood_S6]

They may catch on quick, but look at how many shoddy dangerous items that come out of china, they're great at copying, just not so good at perfecting it. 

[El Cid]

1 hour ago, Tony said:

The USA hasn't got an answer.  It's over. Get ready for the death throes. Strongmen and despots are getting ready to take it's place and to put citizens in theirs.

 

The USA used to be referred to as the Big Apple, New York, New York - so good they named it twice, but no more.

Now they are the lawless capital of the world, made a laughing stock by The Donald.

[Anna B]

1 hour ago, Beechwood_S6 said:

2 ways to be a superpower population size and having the most advanced technology.

Currently U.S have the tech lead on everyone even China.

  

 

That may be true, but can we afford it?

 

Population size is growing thanks to immigration, but infrastructure isn't growing to keep up with it, so less is being shared by more, making us all poorer. 

 

Add to that Super Capitalism (Neoliberalism) and old fashioned Greed, and you'll find we own less than you think and have thus lost control of much of our basic infrastructure. That leaves its owners free to invest in its upkeep or bleed it dry, take the money and run. Guess which it does?

[Padders]

13 minutes ago, Anna B said:

 

That may be true, but can we afford it?

 

Population size is growing thanks to immigration, but infrastructure isn't growing to keep up with it, so less is being shared by more, making us all poorer. 

 

Add to that Super Capitalism (Neoliberalism) and old fashioned Greed, and you'll find we own less than you think and have thus lost control of much of our basic infrastructure. That leaves its owners free to invest in its upkeep or bleed it dry, take the money and run. Guess which it does?

Good old fashioned democracy is finished now Anna.

With the rise of technology and the internet, we are now ruled by billionaires desperate to influence public opinions.

 

[gaz 786]

10 minutes ago, Padders said:

Good old fashioned democracy is finished now Anna.

With the rise of technology and the internet, we are now ruled by billionaires desperate to influence public opinions.

 

Yep money talks am afraid 😨 

[Anna B]

32 minutes ago, Padders said:

Good old fashioned democracy is finished now Anna.

With the rise of technology and the internet, we are now ruled by billionaires desperate to influence public opinions.

 

Indeed Padders.

And there are no plans to do anything about it AFAIK.

As Gaz says, money rules. 

[Anna B]

3 hours ago, hauxwell said:

Till mankind is extinct.

 

Even with the parlous state the world id in at the moment, I doubt very much we will blow ourselves to kingdom come with Nuclear weapons. 

 

As someone pointed out, it's not about countries any more, it's about money, and most of that is in the hands of surprisingly few individuals who wield an extraordinary amount of power and influence. They also own much of the real estate and infrastructure worth Billions if not Trillions. Do you really think they will shoot themselves in the foot and destroy it all making it worthless? 

 

They can do quite a nice strategic demolition job with ordinary weapons, and control of the internet. To quote Q in James Bond 'I can do more damage on my computer before breakfast, than you can do in a month in the field.'

They have no end of toys at their disposal to play with, just as deadly, but leaving the playground intact, and much more fun.. It's just a pity a lot of them are Psychopaths, but there you go.

.