- Relying on massive military force (and using gigantic complexes to support it) as the be-all and end-all of power, and belittling diplomacy
- Maintaining standing armies, instead of disbanding military forces between wars
- Using more mercenary forces than citizen troops
- Spending disproportionately large amounts of blood and treasure in order to counter threats on the status quo ... which simply exacerbates the threat against the empire
- Going ethically and morally bankrupt
- Ending up up having bankers and financiers end up running the real power
- Suffering great hiccups in finance and trade
- The leaders no longer really believe in or follow the ideals of the founders
The U.S. is also following the age-old recipe for imperial decline by:
- Creating unsustainable levels of inequality
- Incurring staggering levels of debt to finance war and luxury goods
Transformation to a lifestyle totally different than the one the previous generations in the U.S. had experienced, because the numbers and the might still keep it #1 whether we like it or not.
1) When at the beginning of the fiscal year, namely now, the target is set at spending let's say 20 trillion till the end of the (fiscal) year the money spent will be 20 trillion, no more, no less.
2) Even if things go wrong the Rockefeller family with an approximate fortune of 1.7 quadrillion and counting are there to back up the Empire.
3) Due to cooperation with alien species the U.S. have a 40-50 year technological advancement from the rest of the world.
So yes, nobody likes a monster, but the monster is there to stay. Let me give you an example : Just
suppose the HAARP gets airborne. The planet is leveled off in less than 5 minutes.