A reply to Sue L

This is a reply to Sue L's "Is America in 2011 comparable to Rome in 200AD – an advanced state of decadence? pcspeed.net The US has some serious serious problems. House prices have fallen by 33% and Unemployment remains high. 1 in 6 depend on food stamps to ensure they..."

Dear Sue L,

It is not likely America is facing the decline that Rome did. The USA may have bad spots when it deals with infrastructure but the majority is in working order. Our economic model and domestic trends maybe in flux, but the country could survive many disasters natural or manmade with hardship but it will not face a total collapse. The Idea that a society may fail do to Economy is highly over rated. Most advances in technology, social structure, and population growth happen after economic strife (and oddly times of war) and most nations fall from military conflict on their home turf. So I'll address the issues you mentioned rather than a lofty ideological commentary.

Housing prices falling 33% is not a sign of devalued homes, it is a sigh of price gauging coming to a decline. The value of a home should not be dictated by the housing authority or government agency, but by the consumers demand. A 33% decline is a reflection of consumers dissatisfaction with housing monopolies.

Food stamps and Unemployment are related so please consider this: 1 in 6 households have food stamps because food is being produced inefficiently. In Colorado (an arid plain/desert) water is wasting growing Cotton (a more profitable commodity then food) and food is shipped from Mexico to CO. This is a highly inefficient way to run agriculture, water and oil/coal resources. Furthermore, minimum wage is not a living wage. The higher the cost of food the higher cost of living and thus the higher cost of all products in industry. Agriculture needs to become a staple of American life, rather being the small farm, the community garden, or the super science hydroponic genetically grown. One way to supply more jobs in the economy is better use of resources and increase in food production jobs. However Unemployment remains high bouncing between 8 and 10% because CEO's take a disproportionate pieces of company wealth ( don't take my word for it http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/28/news/economy/ceo_pay_workers/index.htm). There is a shrinking middle class in America do highly to a "1 2 punch" :

The First Punch: Companies are allowing themselves to be fleeced by CEO's/Unions/And trust funds while not reinvesting in strong middle management growth and valuable employment. I submit to you the following link. It is a Map that will show that the lowest unemployment rates are in agricultural areas (3-4%) and oil rich areas at (5%) While areas subject to urban sprawl (or service based fields) are reaching 10-26% highs. ( the Maps link http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html )

The Second Punch: American's as a whole feel entitled to lifestyles of the rich & famous without means. I am not saying I don't want a sports car that runs on magic, or a plasma TV the size of my wall, or even a dirigible in my front yard. I do! But Let's be realistic. These are not commodities' that I am entitled too. If I want them, I can work for them, buy them, or build them. But it is not entitled to me because I see Smith down the street has it. Some peoples priorities need to be put in check. 400 channels of Cable TV is not worth giving up food on my table. Just because someone has something doesn't mean I have to have it too. "The Keeping up with the Smiths (or Kardashian) lifestyle"(or Celebrititis as I like to call it) needs a serious kick to the curb. The American family/individual like corporations needs to reinvest in its growth and development and not get side tracked by the latest bell and whistle.

I digress, while these are a sign of a decadent society it is not a culture ending trend. The trends can be reversed by strong company's remolding their corporate structure, a serious investment into agriculture and energy markets, and a treatment for celebrititis. You might see new states, or fewer states in the American future. But the culture will endure. I mean After all Rome is still there it just changed. I look forward to your thoughts.