Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "debt"

My international friends may not want to admit it, but it's true; the United States of America is and has been for many years the greatest nation in the history of the world. But, things are changing and, just as Egypt, Greece, Rome, Britain, and Spain are no longer the dominant forces they once were, so it will be for America someday. I used to believe that day was in the far off future, but now I can see the beginning of the end (see America the Once Great, Part 1, November 14, 2011, and Part 2, November 22, 2011). And, after watching congress this week, I'm more certain now than ever.



So, then what? What will become of us once the interest on our debt completely consumes our Gross National Product? How will we manage when our infrastructure fails because we can't afford to maintain it? When that day comes we will most likely sink toward third-world status. But, maybe, there's another way.

Maybe we should liquidate the federal government (which has served us so poorly as of late), except for the assets of the Department of Defense, pay off our debt and then divide what's left among the states. Of course, there may not be anything left after paying off the debt. The states would then be free to become independent or join with other states to form new nations. But, free-spending, big government states like New York and Massachusetts should go their way while conservative states like Texas and Arizona go theirs. Otherwise, we'll end up in the same position again.

The only remnants of the former United States we would need would be an alliance solely for the mutual defense of the new nations and for the settlement of disputes between them. This alliance should be governed by a council made up of representatives of each of the states.

I know this sounds like crazy-talk and I don't want it to happen any more than any of you. I just can't see how our nation can survive this path of destruction and I think we should start thinking about what comes next. Hopefully, we'll never live to see it. I think that's wishful thinking.