PrintSeptember 9, 2010
Is the United States Master of Its Destiny?
The survival of a great nation is contingent on its ability to remain master of its destiny. For the United States, that capability is now in question. The country, with President Obama at the helm, has embarked on voyage certain to end in disaster unless the people recognize the reality of the situation and act accordingly.
History has repeatedly shown that great nations have fallen by the wayside not as the direct result of foreign enemies, but by the degradation of society and economic structures which have inevitably resulted in a failure to successfully confront hostile external and internal forces.
This paradigm is beginning to emerge in the United States.
First and foremost is the erosion of the American character and society. This is a society that cannot rely on ethnic or long-term historical factors as the glue that keeps it together. Rather, it has been the belief and allegiance to the ideology that freedom and liberty are God-given and that morality and the necessity of honor and integrity are the foundation of the country and society.
Over the past eight decades, there has been a gradual degradation of integrity and honor which has allowed for a tenet espoused by despots throughout history to take hold; it forms the underpinning of the character of President Obama, the current ruling class, and an unfortunate plurality among the general public. The doctrine of "the end justifies the means" represents the epitome of corruption in a society. Any leader within government, the national community at large, or, increasingly, the average citizen who is captive to this thinking must by necessity be devoid of ethics, character, or morals.
To that end, the political class has used racial and class warfare as a cynical stratagem to keep the populace at each other's throats and to garner votes. This has resulted in a society wherein everyone views another with suspicion and animosity. There is no effort made to strive for the common good of the country; rather, the aim is to manipulate the system for self-aggrandizement and retention of power and influence.
The education system, in turn, has also been deviously changed to that of a source of wealth and political power for unions and bureaucrats, with the primary task of educating relegated to secondary status. The institutions of higher learning have become incubators of radical ideology and not a forum for debate and enlightenment. Entire generations are being turned out without an appreciation for the accomplishments of their country, an understanding of a truly unique society, or the dedication to preserve the United States as a great moral and economic power.
Through the promulgation of Roe v. Wade and the intrusion of the courts into a matter that was not formerly in their jurisdiction, society has been further polarized. The promotion of unfettered abortion has led to a degradation and erosion in the respect for the uniqueness of human life and a lack of deference for the right to life and liberty granted to man by God and not government. Thus, the moral glue that holds mankind and American society together, a recognition and protection of man's inalienable rights, is rapidly disintegrating.
A society not bound by ethnic roots, at odds with itself, lacking a sense of responsibility to future generations, and with a callous disregard for life and liberty, led by those who believe in the doctrine of "the end justifies the means," cannot long survive and will in due course disintegrate into internecine warfare.
Coupled with the degradation of the social order is the devastating state and bleak future of the economy.
The United States is technically in bankruptcy. Unfunded liabilities, on a national and state level, are in excess of $105 trillion, which is 7.5 times the current annual Gross Domestic Product (and 1.4 times the net worth of the country). By the year 2020, four items -- interest on the debt, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid (Obamacare) -- will absorb all of the revenue to the government. The national debt will exceed 100% of the annual GDP by 2018. (None of these statistics reflect the impact of state debt and spending requirements.)
The United States will no longer be able to afford major expenditures such as defense spending and education. Foreign debt holders will be in a position to dictate security and economic policy. As it stands today, the country's only solution is to grow its way out of this dilemma, but it will not be able to do so unless dramatic changes are begun immediately.
The economy, as it is presently structured, cannot produce the long-term growth to mitigate the needs of government and provide jobs for an ever growing population. Nearly 80% of the economic infrastructure in the United States is in the service sector. In addition, 71% of the GDP is made up of consumer spending (much of it on products produced overseas).
An economy so dependent on a service sector and consumer spending will, in due course, begin to feed on itself in an unsustainable manner, akin to a Ponzi scheme, as the manufacturing and energy sectors of the economy (which produces the real wealth of a nation) continue to decline in a dramatic fashion. That deterioration is here for all to see, as job creation, per capita income, and personal wealth have already begun a long-term downward spiral.
The United States, if it wishes to avoid the economic disaster looming on the horizon, must begin to restructure its economy in combination with reduced and controlled government spending.
A program to reindustrialize the nation and become energy-independent has to be a priority. The country should have as its goal an increase of the manufacturing and energy sector to 35%-40% of the overall economy instead of the current 21%. Free trade with other nations should continue to be a priority, but on an equal footing and mutually beneficial; nonetheless, the current trade imbalance should be targeted for a 75%-80% reduction. In addition, spending at all levels of government must be reduced to the historic level of 35% of GDP from the projected 51% in 2015.
Can the United States remain master of its destiny? Can it be the only country in history to find itself in this position and successfully reverse course to save itself? Yes -- it has the natural resources, the tradition, and above all, the productive citizens who can do so. However, it will require a genuine understanding of the reality of the situation, leaders with character who love the country, who will not sugar-coat the sacrifices required, and who have a willingness to work as one people, one society, toward a common goal.
If not, then the destiny of the United States will be at the mercy of others.
