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Title: Exclusive: US Empire Will Fall Due To Lack Of Faith, Not Finances Or War, Author Warns
Source:
RawStory
URL Source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/ ... g-washington-author-tells-raw/
Published: Jan 27, 2011
Author: Nathan Diebenow
Post Date: 2011-01-27 12:55:52 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 128985
Comments: 176
As many in the American empire longingly talk of "recovery" from the most devastating economic condition since the Great Depression, others have begun thinking in a very different direction, urging fellow citizens to prepare for the worst. Dmitry Orlov, author of "Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects," is one of the latter. Soon, he told Raw Story in an exclusive interview, Americans will "stop expecting anything of Washington," turning the US into more of a "banana republic" than a super power. Orlov, who witnessed the Soviet Union's collapse from within, lamented that the American empire's condition is so severe there is "absolutely nothing" most can do to keep it alive or hasten its demise. "Basically the people in this country are powerless," he suggested. "So they should probably focus on things closer to home." Orlov, born in born in Leningrad (now known as Saint Petersburg), moved to the United States at age 12 and became an engineer. In his book, he detailed his experiences with the Soviet collapse on numerous visits to Russia in the late 1980s, early 1990s. He covered similarities between the two superpowers in their twilight and suggested ways for Americans to adapt to their new post-empire environment. Amid horrid unemployment and a national deficit soaring past World War II levels, Orlov theorized that the US empire would eventually collapse -- not from finances or war, but from a lack of faith in the system. It would happen over three overlapping stages, he said: financial, political and commercial. "We're fairly far along in the financial collapse trajectory while political collapse has now really only started with the last election," he said. By the next election cycle, Orlov figured, the United States would be in the throes of a "banana republic" such that the voters would exchange one inept political party for another inept political party while expecting different results. While nothing constructive would result from this behavior, he said, the next meaningless shift in 2012 may be the last straw. "That will run its course where people walk away in disgust and stop expecting anything of Washington," he said. Environmental and social catastrophe "People will lose access to various products that they need," Orlov said. Much has already collapsed in the commercial sphere. Vacant strip malls and deserted grocery stores clutter the landscape in many parts of the country. "You also have people whose only source of food is food stamps," he said. "That's becoming predominant in a lot of communities." But let's not fail to mention an overemphasis on military expenditures and unused industrial areas, Orlov insisted, describing them as mis-investments made by both empires. "To this day, the former Soviet Union is littered with abandoned or semi-abandoned industrial sites just as the United States is," he noted. By Orlov's estimation, the US military will never voluntarily quit being the world's largest oil consumer and largest polluter. Moreover, any plans suggested to the military to end its oil dependency in 30 years are an act of "desperation," he said. "They have set their hair on fire and are running around in circles. That's their drill right now," Orlov quipped. But what really seemed to rock the Soviet empire to its foundations, Orlov explained, was devastation of Russia's physical environment as a result of industrialization. The prime example was the nuclear reactor accident in Chernobyl in 1986. To this day, the site continues to produce very high levels of childhood leukemia, cancers and other diseases. "[The Chernobyl accident] caused a great number of people, including people in some positions of authority, especially in the scientific community in Russia, to seriously mistrust the government, and [they] started doing their own research, making their own observations that disquieted them even more," Orlov explained. Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's "glasnost" policy allowed enough truth out to undermine the remaining Soviet authority to the point where those who operated the system lost interest in perpetuating it, Orlov said. While likening the Chernobyl disaster to the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico on his blog, Orlov said that he expects no hearts of American leaders to bleed over their destroyed environment any time soon. "I don't see the elite in the United States at quite that level of desperation quite yet -- probably because they are a little bit less attuned to what's going on," he said. "They are a little bit more sheltered from the public at large. But that might change."
As the financial collapse runs its course, Orlov said, people can expect some imports to be cut off. Energy, above all cheap oil, will be the most important import to dry up. Transportation fuels will also become scarce, bringing on the next stage of social collapse: the commercial sphere, he noted.
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#107. To: Godwinson, Rudgear (#74)
He,not. He's a Euroweenie globalist/socialist/communist/fascist. Depending where on that Evolutionary Chain he happens to be at the moment. He just loves to defend the Dims because they are closer to his heart,and conservatives scare him with all that talk about self-reliance.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
The envious man thinks that if his neighbor breaks a leg, he will be able to walk better himself -- Helmut Schoeck
Bookmarking self-ping. I've had a fine time amusing myself here this morning,but it's warm enough to do things outside now so I'm off to do more important things. Be back later.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
You got me on that one.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over.
Here’s How John Paulson Made $5 Billion Last Year Some of Paulson’s personal share in his funds must come from the $4 billion he made going short against the subprime mortgage bubble in 2007. blogs.forbes.com/robertle...made-5-billion-last-year/ The median household income in the United States is $46,326. Here in California people have a hard time understanding that yes, 50 percent of our population live on $46,000 or less a year. Even today, all the elixirs and remedies being thrown around fail to focus on income and the big brother of income, solid employment. Dual earner households have a higher median income at $67,348. www.mybudget360.com/how-m...household-income-numbers/ Your typical working American family's income with two earners is $67,348 a year, compare that to John Paulson's $5 Billion. Less than 20% of American families earn "the typical lower 6 figure income" or above.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Just think of the mental and nervous energy he spend to prop up the collapsing tent of communist/fascist outlook. If he (I'm assuming the poster is a he) spent even a fraction of that energy stepping out of his hothouse he might find enough to keep him occupied to mind his own business.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over.
I thought it was sparked by easy credit and its concomitant housing bubble in the UK.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Mike, tell your kook friend Pete to take his old people meds. If there was any reason to think I misjudged Pete - that is gone.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I don't comprend old people kook talk, pete. After you take your old people meds try replying again and I can figure out what your saying.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
You misjudge everyone, tiny.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over.
You can see from the list that is not true - what may have eased the other economic downturns was the availability of free land we killed the Indians for. After the frontier lands were all claimed up it is no surprise that the Great Depression lingered for so long without the availability of free land to mitigate the crisis for the American people. There is no industrialized nation on earth that does not have a central bank of some sort. You may not like the Fed - and I don't either - but if your arguing the USA should have no sort of federal banking structure then that is economic kook talk akin to wanting dollars backed by gold again.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Because the rich STOLE their new wealth. You are acting as if the majority of the rich were smarter or faster than the American serfs that work for them and that is why they are richer. The fact that the rich in the last 20 years got richer at levels not seen since the days of the robber barons and the 99% of the population has had their wages stagnate or reduced (under threat of offshoring, firing) is a sign that the wealth transfer is not based on merit but on theft. But the rich can still sway people with the myth about how their wealth is due to a meritocracy and that is why they are richer than normal.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
You should be honest and not make such big bogus claims. I will play though. How so?
What lies. We have more regulation than Communist China? Japan? We have more taxes and regulations that Western Europe? - than Germany they are still an exporting powerhouse? Where German unions are as powerful and healthy as ever? You want a nation without taxes and regulations - see Somalia and Haiti.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
You want a general reading list? Start here: http://ameslevinelist.com/
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
No I want you to tell me how the rich stole their wealth. Just give me say 5 examples for starters. Thanks.
sneakypete: Ok,you have finally done it. You have posted a response that is 100% correct. Are you feeling well? It HAD to happen eventually... ;)
"There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." -- go65, LF's answer to Ben Bernanke --
You really are a know-nothing ideologue. Know-nothing. Germany's corporate tax rate is 15%. Ours ranges from 15% to 39.6%. Their individual income tax rate is much less progressive than ours. They have a huge jump in rates (from 14% to 42%) at $52,000 and a tiny increase in rates (from 42% to 45%) at $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples). That's it. American has the highest corporate tax rates in the world. We also have one of the most progressive income tax systems in the world. These are the facts. They are in conflict with your Know-Nothing ideology.
I've been to China (Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai). In many ways, China is more capitalistic than the U.S. In other ways, the system is very arbitrary and non- transparent, especially with regards to foreign companies. Regardless, the government does not interfere on a daily basis with businesses to the same degree that the do here. It's not even close.
Ok you have no examples. Typical liberal.
So you support German socialism then?
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I posted many examples. Take time to read them. Ignorance is not a virtue.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
You posted a link to someone elses idea. Are you not capable of debating and coming up something yourself? Propaganda isn't an example.
I absolutely support cutting U.S. corporate tax rates in half so we can be competitive with Germany and China.
I posted several links to books on the subject. You need to read.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Are you now pro labor union and 'socialized' health care along German lines? I came on here arguing for the superiority of the German social market and now you agree with me. Face it, America's business philosophy, capitalism, health care system, militarism is all inferior to the social market model. Some more German tax info - and Germany can export manufacturing at record levels with all these taxes and with powerful trade unions in the mix. So what's America's excuse? Your thesis that the American worker unionizing is not the reason American businesses are moving over seas- greed is. Your thesis that taxes and regulations are the reasons America businesses are leaving is correct - but they are doing so because America's rich owners are greedy bastards and traitors to her people who unlike the Germans - care more about stuffing their portfolios than making their country strong. You Republican filth carry their water for them under this stupid philosophy that greed is good and if Americans live like wage slaves then the business masters may throw us unworthy serfs a bone. Can you water carriers for the oligarchs explain how Germany can be an exporting power house, while maintaining universal health care, an active labor union, and no banking crisis by doing things the opposite of what Rush Limbough champions? The rate of income tax in Germany ranges from 0% to 45%. The German income tax is a progressive tax, As of 1 January 2008, Germany’s corporation tax rate is 15%. Counting both the solidarity surcharge (5.5% of corporation tax) and trade tax (averaging 14% as of 2008), tax on corporations in Germany is just below 30%. On top of income tax, the so-called solidarity surcharge (Solidaritaetszuschlag) is levied at a rate of 5.5% of the income tax for higher incomes. Up to €972 (€1,944 for married couples) annual income tax, no solidarity surcharge is levied. Above this threshold, the solidarity surcharge rate increases continuously until it reaches 5.5% when the annual income tax is €1,340.69 (€2,681.38 for married couples). When dividends are paid to an individual person, capital yield tax at a rate of 25% is charged. Since 1 January 2009, this tax is final for individuals who are residents of Germany. Solidarity surcharge is also imposed on capital yields tax. Entrepreneurs engaging in business operations are subject to trade tax as well as income tax/corporation tax. In contrast to the latter, trade tax is charged by the local authorities, who are entitled to the entire amount. The rate levied is fixed by each local authority separately within the range of rates prescribed by the central government. As from 1 January 2008, the rate averages 14% of profits subject to trade tax.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Don't be stupid. We are here to debate not you to hand out reading assignments because you talked shit and can't back it up.
U.S. States levy corporate income taxes as well -- as much as 12%. The fact remains that federal corporate income taxes in Germany are 15%. They are 39.6% in the U.S. Both countries also levy corporate taxes at the provincial level as well. The U.S. has the highest corporate tax rates in the world. We also have the most progressive tax system on individuals. Know-nothing leftists like you don't get it.
We would need the same reference points to debate. I find the right wing hates learning.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
What I find funny is you types screaming about socialist Europe and now I tricked you into admitting Socialist Europe is superior. Because as you remember I came on here first and openly declared the European social market model (Christian democracy) to be superior. And now you agree you want to copy 'socialist' Germany. Thank you. That was very gratifying.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
You're a real hoot. What's really happened here is that I showed you that as Europe (and the entire rest of the world) have been moving towards lower taxes and markets while the U.S. continues to lurch towards socialism. The U.S. now has the highest corporate income rates in the world and the most progressive tax system. You know-nothing leftists just don't get it. You have this mental image of Sweden in the 1970s which is no longer true. You continue to push for policies in the U.S. that the Swedes, Germans, Chinese, Russians and just about everyone else has rejected. It's time to grow up and face reality.
The US is more socialist now than Europe? LOL! You right wingers are a hoot.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Don't blame me if you can't deal with the truth.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
You,you,AGEIST,YOU! I'm going to have big brother gubbermint arrest you for non-PC talk.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
You can't even get THAT right! Have you ever been right about anything? After swapping massacres with the British,they PAID my people to leave eastern NC in the early 1700's. I bet the next thing you come up with is the white man is responsible for slavery.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
And it makes you jealous beyond all belief. So jealous,you want to use the power of government to steal it back. And the whole time the dirty little truth is you wish you had the balls to steal on your own instead of having the government do your stealing for you?
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Yes.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Then why do you keep bragging about it?
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Pete, I picked up one of these today, still has original leather strap, for $200.00.
OK, I won't feel sorry for you, I promise!
Comments (147 - 176) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestI am not a Democrat.
#108. To: sneakypete (#103)
Why do you spend so much time in angst over what someone else has?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#109. To: sneakypete, All (#107)
#110. To: sneakypete (#101)
If there is a difference it is so minuted you would have to use a microscope to spot it.
#111. To: sneakypete, GO65 (#97)
Are we supposed to feel sorry for the typical lower 6 figure income American working family because some other family earns 10 or more times as much?
#112. To: sneakypete, Godwinson (#107)
#113. To: jwpegler (#102)
The panic of 1873 occurred due to a worldwide fall in the demand for silver started when Germany abandoned silver in favor of gold.
#114. To: sneakypete, lucysmom, Ferret Mike (#88)
No,he was a commie because he wanted cheaper white blonde whores to beat on.
#115. To: sneakypete, lucysmom (#97)
Oh,BullBarack!
#116. To: Godwinson (#114)
#117. To: jwpegler (#102)
The greatest economic down turns in American history occurred after the Federal Reserve was created, including the The Depression of 1920–21, The Great Depression, the inflationary recession (which Keynesians said was impossible) of the Carter years, and the current Great Recession. The Federal Reserve was responsible for them all.
#118. To: sneakypete (#103)
Why do you spend so much time in angst over what someone else has? You would be better off spending more time focusing on what you have and what you want.
#119. To: Godwinson (#118)
Because the rich STOLE their new wealth.
#120. To: jwpegler (#106)
Then tell your Democrat buddies to fix the convoluted tax and regulatory system in the U.S. We have the highest corporate tax rate in the world and the most complex regulatory regime
#121. To: A K A Stone (#119)
#122. To: Godwinson (#121)
You want a general reading list?
#123. To: sneakypete, lucysmom (#104)
lucysmom: Conservatives ain't what they used to be before neocons infiltrated their ranks.
#124. To: Godwinson (#120)
(Edited)
What lies. We have more taxes and regulations that Western Europe? - than Germany they are still an exporting powerhouse?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#125. To: Godwinson (#120)
We have more regulation than Communist China?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#126. To: Godwinson (#121)
#127. To: jwpegler (#124)
Germany's corporate tax rate is 15%
#128. To: A K A Stone (#126)
#129. To: Godwinson (#128)
#130. To: Godwinson (#127)
(Edited)
Germany's corporate tax rate is 15%...
So you support German socialism then?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#131. To: A K A Stone (#129)
You posted a link to someone elses idea.
#132. To: jwpegler, go65, lucysmom, Brian S, (#130)
Germany's corporate tax rate is 15%... So you support German socialism then? I absolutely support cutting U.S. corporate tax rates in half so we can be competitive with Germany and China.
#133. To: Godwinson (#131)
#134. To: Godwinson (#132)
(Edited)
trade tax is charged by the local authorities... As from 1 January 2008, the rate averages 14% of profits subject to trade tax.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#135. To: A K A Stone (#133)
Don't be stupid. We are here to debate not you to hand out reading assignments because you talked shit and can't back it up.
#136. To: jwpegler, A K A Stone, go65, lucysmom (#134)
(Edited)
The U.S. has the highest corporate tax rates in the world. We also have the most progressive tax system on individuals. Know-nothing leftists like you don't get it.
#137. To: Godwinson (#136)
tricked you into admitting Socialist Europe is superior.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#138. To: jwpegler (#137)
What's really happened here is that I showed you that as Europe (and the entire rest of the world) have been moving towards lower taxes and markets while the U.S. continues to lurch towards socialism. The U.S. now has the highest corporate income rates in the world and the most progressive tax system.
#139. To: Godwinson (#114)
Mike, tell your kook friend Pete to take his old people meds. If there was any reason to think I misjudged Pete - that is gone.
#140. To: Godwinson (#115)
I don't comprend old people kook talk, pete. After you take your old people meds try replying again and I can figure out what your saying.
#141. To: Godwinson (#117)
You can see from the list that is not true - what may have eased the other economic downturns was the availability of free land we killed the Indians for.
#142. To: Godwinson (#118)
Because the rich STOLE their new wealth.
#143. To: Godwinson (#120)
We have more regulation than Communist China? Japan?
#144. To: Godwinson (#128)
Ignorance is not a virtue.
#145. To: sneakypete (#144)
#146. To: sneakypete (#97)
Are we supposed to feel sorry for the typical lower 6 figure income American working family because some other family earns 10 or more times as much?
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