How will the US come to an end?

[snoopy]

I've been thinking about this more lately, because it strikes me that the US is becoming more and more polarized. For a long time I assumed that the US would be conquered some day, but I'm starting to think that maybe that's not a given.

So, how do you think the US will come to an end?

[Gooberman]

End, as in we are no longer called the United States of America? No longer have the three branches? Or end, as in drastically different from what we have now?

I don't believe the former will happen, but the latter is almost an inevitability. Lets face it, Republicans just flat out suck at recruiting minority votes, and with white people becoming the minority in 2040....something will have to change. It's a fact that our demographics are changing....very quickly!

So is the GOP going to find a way to recruit them? Or will they bend to them? All indicators (like the lackluster push for boarder enforcement when they had full power), is an indication of the latter.

[CUDA]

actually Goob I read a survey recently that has Hispanics leaving the DNC in droves and going to the GOP because of their predominately Catholic upbringing and more conservative viewpoints.

I have no idea where I saw it tho.

\"IF\" that is the case and with hispanics being the fastest growing minority in the country that \"could\" bode well for the Conservatives and bad for the Liberals

[snoopy]

Basically, I mean that the 48 contiguous states cease to be one nation.

I also see 3 \"other\" votes with no explanations... I'm really curious to know what other scenarios people come up with.

Here's another thought I've had:

Do you guys foresee a massive loss of information, leading to a large step backwards technologically?

1. We are getting better and better at securing our data... encryption schemes are getting to the point where if you lose the key, you might as well just throw away the data.
2. We're getting more and more specialized, so that less and less people know how to support/produce given products.
3. We're becoming more and more aware of cyber/information warfare.

I can (somewhat) plausibly put those three together to produce a scenario where we lose the information/technology to build something that's become key to our infrastructure... say computer chips... and suddenly we find ourselves waiting for the machines to break down and send us backwards by 20-30 years.

[Foil]

I also see 3 "other" votes with no explanations... I'm really curious to know what other scenarios people come up with.

I voted "Other" earlier, although my reason doesn't fit your new definition of 'end' as a breakup of states.

I agree with you about polarization, but I don't believe the lessons of our last Civil war will be so soon forgotten. I personally think it's more likely that with globalization and loss of international power, the U.S. would become part of some type of larger multinational government. Of course, I wouldn't anticipate this happening in my lifetime. I think the U.S. has more sticking power than some give us credit for.

[Bet51987]

Cuda... I see no survey that supports that. In fact, I've found just the opposite. In the last election, Latinos voted Democrat with almost a 2-1 margin and since the Republicans continued their fall after the attacks on Sotomayer (only 9 republicans voted for her) I would say you're going to see a larger split during mid-term elections. Just my opinion.

Now, the OP... I chose other.. meaning it will never happen. We are one nation, one people, indivisable, and with the exception of the Palins, Huckabees, and nut cases that form militas for a host of reasons from not wanting a black man in the white house to still ticked the south lost, most Americans still believe that. At least I do.

Bee

[Foil]

Here's another thought I've had:

Do you guys foresee a massive loss of information, leading to a large step backwards technologically?
...
I can (somewhat) plausibly put those three together to produce a scenario where we lose the information/technology to build something that's become key to our infrastructure... say computer chips... and suddenly we find ourselves waiting for the machines to break down and send us backwards by 20-30 years.

No, not really. We only lose expertise in areas that are no longer in use, like vacuum-tube computers, slide-rules, etc. Breakdowns always happen, so as long as a technology is being used, there are always people working on them, and thus the knowledge is retained.

A scenario like yours would require a specific technology that is commonly used, but the knowledge is lost because it never or rarely breaks down for a long period of time.

[woodchip]

Now, the OP... I chose other.. meaning it will never happen. We are one nation, one people, indivisable, and with the exception of the Pelosi's, Reids, George Soros and groups like Media Matters and Code Pink nut cases for a host of reasons from wanting a Socialist man in the white house to still ticked Bush won two terms, most Americans still believe that. At least I do.

Bee

There, fixed it for ya.

[Foil]

Heh, for once I agree with both Bet and Woody.

I'd put it like this: despite political rhetoric and party-polarization, most people in the U.S. believe in the value of the word \"united\", and won't let another civil war happen. I firmly believe that.

[Duper]

To Quote Kosh:


\"In fire...\"

[Bet51987]

Now, the OP... I chose other.. meaning it will never happen. We are one nation, one people, indivisable, and with the exception of the Pelosi's, Reids, George Soros and groups like Media Matters and Code Pink nut cases for a host of reasons from wanting a Socialist man in the white house to still ticked Bush won two terms, most Americans still believe that. At least I do.

Woodchip

I took my name off the header since it wasn't my quote. Go twist someone else's words, not mine.

Bee

[CUDA]

Truth hurts huh Bee

[Spidey]

I voted “other” because I don’t see any “breakup” or any such thing. But I do believe “America” as we know it will no longer exist in the near future because of the destruction of our rights & freedoms. (civil war is always a possibility) But I think true freedom scares the living hell out of people, and what they really want is cradle to grave security.

We will no longer be a “free country” just a clone of all the other mediocre European Countries.

So yea, I guess I kinda agree with Goob…

[Bet51987]

Truth hurts huh Bee

No, it doesn't Cuda. Not in the least. I don't mind someone copying my quote and changing it to make it theirs, but I do mind when they keep my name in the header and then imply that I meant to say something different. It should be against forum rules.

Bee

[Insurrectionist]

I guess I am on the very fringe of this discussion. I say Civil War. Why? One of your selections was secession. Random states will leave the union, ending up with a number of soverign states. We all know where that lead The US. Both the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations at that time rejected secession, considering it rebellion. Making secession one of the major reasons for the civil war. So what will happen if the states start a secession movement? One thing that came out of a civil war was it brought changes that helped make the country a united superpower.

We'll get mired in debt, and be forced to dissolve. Yes which will lead to secession and perhaps a civil war. It may also lead to. We'll get conquered/obliterated via military power, Because our house was out of order and we were fighting among ourselves.

Continent/world destroyed by catacysmic natural event? You know 2012 is coming right?

How about a Continent or part of a Continent ripping itself apart through civil disobedience? Think of it this way what will happen if Obama doesn't get reelected?

http://www.therightperspective.org/2008 ... cain-wins/

http://nomorestolenelections.org/call_to_action

[Dedman]

I voted Other. We will probably go the way Europe is going with the EU. NAFTA or something like it will replace the countries of N. America with one single sovereign state.

[VonVulcan]

Cuda, you know liberals have no sense of humor.

[Gooberman]

actually Goob I read a survey recently that has Hispanics leaving the DNC in droves and going to the GOP because of their predominately Catholic upbringing and more conservative viewpoints.

I have no idea where I saw it tho.

"IF" that is the case and with hispanics being the fastest growing minority in the country that "could" bode well for the Conservatives and bad for the Liberals

Could be. I know Hispanics vote republican far more then any other minority group; and they are the ones forcing a white-minority, but Bee's numbers do seem about right to me.

I'm not saying the death of the GOP is imminent, just that something must change for it not to be.

And I don't buy the civil war argument:

1. We can't even get half the country to care enough to vote.

2. Of those that vote, half of them wouldn't want the civil war.

3. Of those that vote and are frustrated with government, only a few of those would consider war. (So your <25% here already)

4. Who would you even start fighting? This isn't 1861, our army is considerably more advanced and we are considerably more united. So whatever side gets the army, (which is probably the side that doesn't want war), well, that's gg.

If the side that wants the civil war, had enough people to actually wage a civil war....then they would also have enough people to go to the polls and vote out the current administration!!

[Stroodles]

Truth hurts huh Bee

No, it doesn't Cuda. Not in the least. I don't mind someone copying my quote and changing it to make it theirs, but I do mind when they keep my name in the header and then imply that I meant to say something different. It should be against forum rules.

Bee

It was pretty obvious he was submitting his opinion....what with the "fixed it" and all....

[Tunnelcat]

I picked 'other'. They hold so much of our debt, we'll become a slave state to China when they decide to call in their chips.

[Stroodles]

I picked 'other'. They hold so much of our debt, we'll become a slave state to China when they decide to call in their chips.

Yes, but the underpaid chinise workers can't afford to buy any of the stuff they make. So that would be bad for them too

[Top Wop]

Its difficult for me to see if America will survive as it is in the next 100 years, unless there's some sort of revolution of sorts, maybe a breakup of the union into independent states.

[AlphaDoG]

I went with Al Gore and voted that the planet was going to be destroyed by \"Climate Change.\"

Well in actuality, the planet will be fine, it's the higher order of \"life\" on this planet I'm concerned about.

What with \"Jellystone\" about to erupt, and poor \"Boo Boo\" being spread all over the North American continent in the form of ash, to say nothing of all those overcooked picinic baskets.

Live day by day is all I can tell you, you may be face to face with Sen. Kennedy tomorrow.

[flip]

My guess is it won't end, it will expand. Started with NAFTA but eventually Mexico, Canada and the US will all become one nation.

[CUDA]

My guess is it won't end, it will expand. Started with NAFTA but eventually Mexico, Canada and the US will all become one nation.

Mexi-cana-merica?

[DarkHorse]

Too many variables. Only way it won't end is military power. A combination of economic and political strife seems the most probable cause of any dissolution.

[Burlyman]

~_~ I think I meant to vote for number 2 but I don't know if it was there at first. So, I voted for \"other\"

[Skyalmian]

Economic collapse combined with any new wars started in the Middle East. America and Israel like to think that both countries are militaristically invulnerable but that's far from the case, now more than ever given economic instabilities; any new war will have to be paid for in the usual debt-based manner, and it will be very costly.