>This is the absolute beginning of the decline of the American empire.

Someone, alot smarter than me, recently pointed out that the American Empire is just an extension of the British Empire. While the British Empire declined the American one rose, its actually reasonable to just view them as one in the same.

The question then might be what will arise from the decline of the American empire? Surely something. It appears that the European Union might be it. Or perhaps, a United Nations type organization might be it?

Given that there's an Arab League, a European Union, and African Union, and other organzations spread out like CariCom and talks of a South Asian Union, perhaps there will be an international union like the United Nations which we will call United Unions. Hmmmmm.

All in all I'd view that kindof power as a "good thing."

Anyways, I think there's a pretty easy fix for America to keep ahold of their status. We need to annex Mexico and Canada. A North American Union of US, Canada, and Mexico seems to be a stepping stone in that direction, and a good way to minimize governmental expenses between the 3 countries.

Though, there's no doubt that such a move would be viewed as arrogant and imperialistic by those with a decidedly anti-American bias in the world, but boo-hoo for them, eh?