[Moneyguy1]

Tabs thread "America is going to fall" gave me pause and started me thinking.

Yes, there is division in the citizenry of our great nation, as evidenced by the microcosm of PPOT postings.

However, the argument about the proper action to be taken in the current middle east situation seems to present a quandry: One extreme says "Stay the course", without really defining the course. The other extreme says "Cut and run", without fully defining what the results of this alternative would be. BOth alternatives are simply jargon; meaningless and created only to provide an emotional rallying point.

The answer to this conundrum is relatively simple. Both ends of the spectrum ask the other to come up with a plan. Truth is, that neither extreme will work and therefore neither side can present a workable long range plan, and each side knows it. So, we have the status quo of attack/counterattack in which each side understands but will not publicly acknowledge there is no way that either simplistic approach is viable.

So, the answer is simple, neither side has a clue how to handle the situation. The problem, separate from the question therefore, is to develop some kind of workable alternative that probably hasn't even been thought of because the pundits on both sides are too damn busy taking potshots at each other. The problem is very complex and will not be resolved by slogans or wishful thinking. But, causing rancor, marginalizing the other side is easier than actually figuring out what to do, much like the problem of the borders.

If anyone here can conclusively state that the situation is resolvable, and can supply cogent, rational arguments to support their claim, I think they should share it with us, and perhaps also with their elected congresspeople. I have contacted my Senators and Representatives and given them the address to this site and suggested they read some of the comments if they REALLY want to see how people think.

Like the past, the USA will wait until the situation is far more dire than it currently is before a unity approach can be taken. It is time for one extreme to stop the sabre rattling and the other to stop hoisting the white flag. Will that happen? Time will tell.

Every great civilization throughout history has fallen. Will the USA be any different? And if it does, what will replace it?