Fall of the American Empire...

Taking an observer position.

A friend pointed out today the idea that all empires fall (Thank you Daw, love you sister).
I remembered a long ago read article about the fall of the Roman Empire and how it started during the Republic.

It was a long decline, not that the Visigoths showed up one day and it was done.

It took decades/generations, little by little corruption started nibbling, here and there.
To the local landowner at the edge, it didn't matter who you paid taxes or bribes and where the money went, you paid and went on with your life.
The underpowered classes had no voice, they supported the status quo or were controlled by force or economic means.
There were points where things may have turned (a few emperors tried), still greed and corruption kills any system, and kept pushing it down. What we may be seeing is the fall (decline) of the American Empire.
In a critical event, it has reached an acceleration point and simultaneously a chance for a course correction (rethinking the whole system).Groups in power (most likely) or as a collective decide to keep it sliding.
How fast is to be seen.Falls happen, somebody comes up, countries rebuild, the world changes, and hopefully lessons are learned (still pride hurts).