30 Mar 12
After reading yet more news stories about the gridlock in Congress, I couldn't help but ask myself: are things really going to get better (i.e., will the government reclaim its will to govern efficiently and productively) after the election? Even if the Senate, House, and Presidency all changed hands, or somehow even all swung to one party, it's going to be by a thin margin at best. How does either party plan realistically to claim a post-election mandate to govern and to implement its agenda?
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by wittywonkaThe government is fatally broken, with no means of fixing it. Any government that has reached this level of dysfunction cannot last long. The inevitable result will be a civil war, coup or suspension of the Constitution within 20 years. We will see some form of major political turbulence within our lifetime.
After reading yet more news stories about the gridlock in Congress, I couldn't help but ask myself: are things really going to get better (i.e., will the government reclaim its will to govern efficiently and productively) after the election? Even if the Senate, House, and Presidency all changed hands, or somehow even all swung to one party, it's going to ...[text shortened]... rty plan realistically to claim a post-election mandate to govern and to implement its agenda?
Coupled with that, whole ecosystems will start collapsing within that same time frame. The twin blows of political destabilization and ecological cataclysm will amount to a veritable Armageddon.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettShould I start buying aluminum foil and canned peaches?
The government is fatally broken, with no means of fixing it. Any government that has reached this level of dysfunction cannot last long. The inevitable result will be a civil war, coup or suspension of the Constitution within 20 years. We will see some form of major political turbulence within our lifetime.
Coupled with that, whole ecosystems will star ...[text shortened]... ows of political destabilization and ecological cataclysm will amount to a veritable Armageddon.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettBummer.
The government is fatally broken, with no means of fixing it. Any government that has reached this level of dysfunction cannot last long. The inevitable result will be a civil war, coup or suspension of the Constitution within 20 years. We will see some form of major political turbulence within our lifetime.
Coupled with that, whole ecosystems will star ...[text shortened]... ows of political destabilization and ecological cataclysm will amount to a veritable Armageddon.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettYo do happy balloon shows at kids' birthday parties for a living, don't you?
The government is fatally broken, with no means of fixing it. Any government that has reached this level of dysfunction cannot last long. The inevitable result will be a civil war, coup or suspension of the Constitution within 20 years. We will see some form of major political turbulence within our lifetime.
Coupled with that, whole ecosystems will star ...[text shortened]... ows of political destabilization and ecological cataclysm will amount to a veritable Armageddon.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettI prefer the Star Trek version where we become a single world entity and eliminate all hunger and poverty.
The government is fatally broken, with no means of fixing it. Any government that has reached this level of dysfunction cannot last long. The inevitable result will be a civil war, coup or suspension of the Constitution within 20 years. We will see some form of major political turbulence within our lifetime.
Coupled with that, whole ecosystems will star ...[text shortened]... ows of political destabilization and ecological cataclysm will amount to a veritable Armageddon.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by sh76A prophet is always mocked in his own time. It is certain, though, that things cannot continue as they are indefinitely. Within a relatively short time the nation will be rent asunder by changes of a magnitude not seen since the Civil War. It is doubtful that it will emerge from the cataclysm with the same identity intact.
Yo do happy balloon shows at kids' birthday parties for a living, don't you?
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettIt almost seems like it may have been orchestrated that way.
A prophet is always mocked in his own time. It is certain, though, that things cannot continue as they are indefinitely. Within a relatively short time the nation will be rent asunder by changes of a magnitude not seen since the Civil War. It is doubtful that it will emerge from the cataclysm with the same identity intact.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by rwingettJust wondering. For how long have you been predicting the imminent demise of civilization?
A prophet is always mocked in his own time. It is certain, though, that things cannot continue as they are indefinitely. Within a relatively short time the nation will be rent asunder by changes of a magnitude not seen since the Civil War. It is doubtful that it will emerge from the cataclysm with the same identity intact.
In any case, the recent recession notwithstanding, western society is in a better position now, on average, then it has ever been in the history of mankind. Is the wealth disparity too great? Is there too much individual suffering? Is there too much government disfunction? Sure, sure and sure. But our problems today are no greater than they have been at every point throughout history and the best guess is that continued improvement in political ideas and scientific breakthroughs will continue to slowly improve society indefinitely.
Yes, we may have from French Revolutions and WWIIs along the way. But all in all, we'll be fine.
If I'm wrong, you can sue me.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by sh76I've only been predicting a great cataclysm fairly recently, about two years. There will be substantial political unrest within 20 years. It will also have become apparent that we've passed the environmental tipping point within that same time frame, although its effects may not fully manifest themselves until about 50 years from now. So be warned. Your complacent, profligate, consumerist lifestyle will come crashing down around your ears within your lifetime. Certainly within your children's lifetime. Woe be unto them for the calamities you bequeath.
Just wondering. For how long have you been predicting the imminent demise of civilization?
In any case, the recent recession notwithstanding, western society is in a better position now, on average, then it has ever been in the history of mankind. Is the wealth disparity too great? Is there too much individual suffering? Is there too much government disfunct ...[text shortened]... tions and WWIIs along the way. But all in all, we'll be fine.
If I'm wrong, you can sue me.
Of course, no civilization has ever been able to predict its own demise until their gilded temples started crashing down around their ears. Your naive optimism is on par with that of every dead civilization. I'm sure the Mayans, the Romans and Louis XVI all thought things would never change in any significant way. But they were wrong. Change, as it turns out, is the only constant. And for better or for worse, the United States (indeed, the world) is going to experience some great and jarring changes within the next few decades.
30 Mar 12
Originally posted by wittywonkaIt is many right wingers' agenda to not have the government govern or implement an agenda. "The government is too big" etc.
After reading yet more news stories about the gridlock in Congress, I couldn't help but ask myself: are things really going to get better (i.e., will the government reclaim its will to govern efficiently and productively) after the election? Even if the Senate, House, and Presidency all changed hands, or somehow even all swung to one party, it's going to ...[text shortened]... rty plan realistically to claim a post-election mandate to govern and to implement its agenda?