'Always' is a long time.  I'm sure that the people of Babel and the people of Sodom thought the same thing.  I myself drank the Koolaid for most of my life and believed about as you describe more-or-less.  I'm currently of the opinion that A) it's 'more fun' to live in a place with is improving than one which is disintegrating even if the curves have yet to meet, and B) a population which has grown up living closer to the edge will be much more capable of coping with hard times.  Some might not even notice!


I think I have an idea of what I'm bitching about since I've lived in both and I currently live surprisingly happily in The Philippines.  My level of enjoyment and contentment have so far vastly exceeded my expectations.  Ceasing my participation in the decadence and debauchery of the United States is like having a great stone that I only vaguely realized was there lifted from my chest.

I would highly encourage anyone who can to go to the U.S. to milk it.  For instance, if one can get a medical degree, by all means go to the U.S..  Something (cough...vaccines...cough...) has made it so a vast majority of 'mericans are sick with chronic illnesses so as a doctor one doesn't even need to 'cure' them.  They've been conditioned to not even expect it!  Just hand out some meds and make millions.  Even if a particular peep doesn't have the money to pay you 50x what you could get in most countries, the health care system so socialized that someone else will pay the bill.

That's just one way of many to get rich.  I suggest that a person keeps their foot in the door and be ready to bail at a moments notice though.  When the U.S. falls it's going to be 'biblical' so to speak.