We are privileged to have a front row seat to the decline and fall of a great empire.

[Binkie The Clown]

Not many people in history have had the opportunity to witness such a grand collapse first hand.

Shouldn't that make us feel grateful?

[VMA131Marine]

1. It's not really an empire, more of an American Hegemony ...

The British Empire was bigger, and fell further than the US will.

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Correct

I've said that myself-- that the US has hegemony, not empire.

I spent my boyhood in the declining British Empire. It's all very familiar. The difference is that back then I didn't see the same denial of what was happening; it was more a resigned acceptance. Here, the denial is loud and a bit frantic.

[marylandblue]

2. Actually, it happens a lot, multiple times in the past 200 years

The problem with empires is that the end up costing more than they are worth. It might be the one good thing to come out of the Trump era. If he kills the empire, then the next democratic president can cut defense spending and shift money to our huge domestic needs.

[lame54]

5. You are assuming there will be a next president

[marylandblue]

6. Call me an optimist, but yes I am assuming that.

[LanternWaste]

3. My father, grand-father and great great grand-father each expressed the same sentiment

My father, grand-father and great great grand-father each expressed the same sentiment about the nation at various times in the 20th century.

[marylandblue]

8. One day, someone in your bloodline will be right

[NCTraveler]

4. "Empires" falling have been witnessed by countless people.

This has a twinge of America First to it.

I wish people could see beyond one days news cycle. It would be impossible to claim the "fall" of a great "empire" if one would do so.

The US is currently better off than it has been throughout much of its sordid history. Some people just don't know much American history.