answer:I sure hope that things will turn around. After all, my well being still largely hinges on the economy recovering. That said, I do not see much reason for optimism. I see the situation facing the US as being somewhat analogous to the situation faced by the British after WWII. There are also analogies that can be drawn from Roman history. Whether or not our system has the vitality to survive intact, only time can tell. Something will definitely replace the US hegemony if it fails. We will see if the world will need to suffer another Dark Age first.