The Forecast

[Dream of the iris]

I've been on a lot of political forums that persistently discuss topics related to what the coming future will hold, however, in spite of this none of them actually discus they're own theories as to how all of these events will play out. So thats why I started this thread. I think it would help all of us out if we soaked in what has happened and discussed exactly where we see all of this going 20 or 30 years down the road. To make it simple....what do you guys think life will be like in the not too distant future? And I don't just want a description on political life, I mean life in general. What will everyday life for average Americans be like? What will life be like for second rate countries, third World countries? How will global politics and economics change and what will the role of America be to the international World? Essentially I just want to get a good idea of where we could potentially be heading.

[Dutch Pimp]

somebody keeps jerking our chain in the wrong direction

[Chronisseur]

If 1000 sled dogs desparately pulled in opposite directions, they'd resemble Washington. Only when they work as a unit do they succeed, and with far less individual effort.

Something that bothers me greatly is the fact that beyond our less than admirable reputation amongst foreign nations, we've got nothing left. No money, a significantly weakened military, diminished natural resources, dissapearing civil liberties etc. etc.

What are we supposed to do when an opposing nation says ''Fuck you America, we're takin' over''...ask for a reach around?

I think it was Mark Twain who said Patriotism was supporting your country ALWAYS, and your government when they deserve it!

Anywho; yeah,....the sky's fallin' like a mofo! ;)

...But that LHC project really does pose a threat to humanity. I don't care what anyone says; I've done the math.

[phatsesh101]

the us spends more on military then russia china germany franceand the rest of the world combined. lets really think here we wont be destroyed and since were isreals bigger lil brother and the jews control a disperportionate amount of the worlds money. its just one step closer to no money at all the whole point of credit is to make everyone endebted and if they pass this bailout the country will always be in debt to the giant banks do i see a mark of the beast.

[Chronisseur]

the us spends more on military then russia china germany franceand the rest of the world combined. lets really think here we wont be destroyed and since were isreals bigger lil brother

You think we spend more military money than the whole world combined?...lol

When you say 'WE' wont be destroyed, who do you mean?
I know many folks who would say the heart of our country has already been destroyed.

[Dream of the iris]

Personally I see us at the tip of a one side sharp blade. Depending on what our actions are today depends on which way we fall. America is going to fall regardless but depending on which direction we fall depends on whether or not we'll continue to run as America. If we fall along the dull side we'll eventually bring ourselves back to our feet....although we'll probably only be as powerful as Britian or France. Now if we fall on the sharp end we're going to plummit to a bloody death and we could be so far cut up we would need to start over again with a whole new Country. In all honesty I really have no idea which way we're going to fall on that knife because there are so many new factors involved that have never been seen in the History of Mankind such as this complex interdependent global society we live in as well as the society within this web of countries. I mean think about the generation that will take this country over in the next few years. These are kids who grew up on convienience. Many generations before them would consider our generation to be living like kings. So the question is how will this generation cope with these negative changes, such as too much federal power, global warming, economic crisis, etc? It seems like this generation was cushioned soo much from the government, they really just don't want to think anymore let alone have control of their lives. It used to be where people were fighting to be able to actually vote....now we're fighting to get people to use that freedom. When it comes down to it one of the scariest things about our future is our generation because thats one of the only things we've never seen in History....an entire society filled with spoiled kids.

[GoldenBoy812]

I have a much more optimistic view of America. First and foremost, American workers fucking rock! We are the top producers, and the top producers per capita. American ingenuity is second to none, no matter what the liberal media portrays in a given week.

The American infrastructure is second to none, and i mean in its fullest regards. Our post secondary education system (college/university) is probably the surrest hedge against deep depression. The second wave economy, known primarily as the production economy, or even the mass production economy is slowly transitioning into what experts call the third phase: the knowledge based economy. These message boards, facebook, and any advanced means of communication (skype) are a true testament as to where the future of our economy is heading. Outsourcing compulsive work has actually paid great dividends, as American workers are now able to produce/ design more advanced code which gives us a hands down edge over the rest of the worlds economies.

Furthermore, America is the world leader in research and development. We are without a doubt the dominant winners of every nobel prize (minus peace, and literature) since its creation. As the information age blooms, and the knowledge based economy really sets in, i believe without a shadow of a doubt that the US will experience another golden age even as the Chinese economy eclipses ours in the next 20 years or so.

Americans, be happy, be thankful, and most of all prosper and strive for the good of yourselves. It is that thinking that has brought us to the forefront of human existence; there is no reason for us (pun intended) to step down.

[The Figment]

I have a much more optimistic view of America. First and foremost, American workers fucking rock! We are the top producers, and the top producers per capita. American ingenuity is second to none, no matter what the liberal media portrays in a given week.

The American infrastructure is second to none, and i mean in its fullest regards. Our post secondary education system (college/university) is probably the surrest hedge against deep depression. The second wave economy, known primarily as the production economy, or even the mass production economy is slowly transitioning into what experts call the third phase: the knowledge based economy. These message boards, facebook, and any advanced means of communication (skype) are a true testament as to where the future of our economy is heading. Outsourcing compulsive work has actually paid great dividends, as American workers are now able to produce/ design more advanced code which gives us a hands down edge over the rest of the worlds economies.

Furthermore, America is the world leader in research and development. We are without a doubt the dominant winners of every nobel prize (minus peace, and literature) since its creation. As the information age blooms, and the knowledge based economy really sets in, i believe without a shadow of a doubt that the US will experience another golden age even as the Chinese economy eclipses ours in the next 20 years or so.

Americans, be happy, be thankful, and most of all prosper and strive for the good of yourselves. It is that thinking that has brought us to the forefront of human existence; there is no reason for us (pun intended) to step down.
Under the thought of the US Becoming an "Info" Based Economy, I have Two Questions....

1. In case of wartime productions-Where does the US get its Ore for Steel and Aluminum and where is it Processed into usable Products like Ammo/Ships/Tanks/Planes?? (Assuming that there is a naval blockade of US waters or the war we would be fighting disrupted the Supply Lines from these areas of the world that currently supply the US)

2. Considering that a workforce trained into earning its living in an "Info Economy" sit behind a desk and run a Computer where do you figure the find the Personnel to work in the factorys that build War Supples....You need all kinds of Skilled Employees in the Steel and Manufacturing Industrys to do this and we have sent These Jobs Overseas!! (Sorry you cant build a Tank without the help of a good Welder)

This is my Bitch about "Outsourcing" what is now considered "Manual Unskilled Labor" (Like a GOOD Welder is "Unskilled",My Ass!!) is that at some point in US history we as a nation will not be able to defend ourselves without having to pull an "Iraqi War" Style Stunt on some country we have no Beef with for their Resources and Manufacturing Base just because We lacked the foresight to see this.

[GoldenBoy812]

Under the thought of the US Becoming an "Info" Based Economy, I have Two Questions....

1. In case of wartime productions-Where does the US get its Ore for Steel and Aluminum and where is it Processed into usable Products like Ammo/Ships/Tanks/Planes?? (Assuming that there is a naval blockade of US waters or the war we would be fighting disrupted the Supply Lines from these areas of the world that currently supply the US)

2. Considering that a workforce trained into earning its living in an "Info Economy" sit behind a desk and run a Computer where do you figure the find the Personnel to work in the factorys that build War Supples....You need all kinds of Skilled Employees in the Steel and Manufacturing Industrys to do this and we have sent These Jobs Overseas!! (Sorry you cant build a Tank without the help of a good Welder)

This is my Bitch about "Outsourcing" what is now considered "Manual Unskilled Labor" (Like a GOOD Welder is "Unskilled",My Ass!!) is that at some point in US history we as a nation will not be able to defend ourselves without having to pull an "Iraqi War" Style Stunt on some country we have no Beef with for their Resources and Manufacturing Base just because We lacked the foresight to see this.

You would have to look at the production possibilities curve, in which opportunity cost is limited to maximize efficiency. A third wave economy in theory generates the majority of its net exports from such ventures. At some given level, it would be more costly to import instead of domestic production.

Alcoa, the US's aluminum gem, is all throughout Europe and Asia.

Maybe i should have been more specific.

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

Well I seem to think for the short term ( next 2 years ) we are in for a major correction. I think we are going to surpass the recession of the 70's but not go as far as the great depression. We will soon see 10% inflation, 10% or more unemployment, decreasing home values due to the over inflated prices they were when purchased. And the market is about to be flooded in foreclosed homes that the "GOVERNMENT" will let go at any cost to get capital back flowing again.

We are in for some hard times until this thing play's out!

But "I DO HAVE HOPE" look America has been thru alot worse and every time we bounced back even stronger.

[The Figment]

You would have to look at the production possibilities curve, in which opportunity cost is limited to maximize efficiency. A third wave economy in theory generates the majority of its net exports from such ventures. At some given level, it would be more costly to import instead of domestic production.

Ummmm This is all gibberish to me.....I was thinking more like an answer like "We will have to dig big holes in the Rocky Mts and fire up 40-50 year old factorys in Pittsburgh Pa or Youngstown Oh. and once we get Steel,Theres an old AMC Plant in Mich that we might get to build Armored Personell Carriers.'
In Other Words We Can't because all the Stuff We Need To Make These Things Has been Shipped Overseas.


Alcoa, the US's aluminum gem, is all throughout Europe and Asia.

Again a lot of good that does the US in case of Naval Blockade or Supply line Disruption.

I live in Wichita Ks.....Wanna see how fast an entire local economy would dry up if there is no way to get Aluminum? (Especally in Wartime) Wichita is home to ALL of the Company's That build All the Aircraft for the USAF....Aircraft Plants,Head Offices,R&D its all done Here or In Seattle.......In short no Aluminum,No Planes....


Maybe i should have been more specific.

Ummm Yeah!

[GoldenBoy812]

Ummmm This is all gibberish to me.....I was thinking more like an answer like "We will have to dig big holes in the Rocky Mts and fire up 40-50 year old factorys in Pittsburgh Pa or Youngstown Oh. and once we get Steel,Theres an old AMC Plant in Mich that we might get to build Armored Personell Carriers.'
In Other Words We Can't because all the Stuff We Need To Make These Things Has been Shipped Overseas.

This is simply not the case. US Steel is a large producer of steel,still pays a dividend, and of course is US based. A new giant Arcelor Mittal has emerged. One is US based (US Steel), the other is Dutch based controlled by Lakshmi Mittal of Indian decent; both operate in the US. Regardless, alloys are the future.


Again a lot of good that does the US in case of Naval Blockade or Supply line Disruption.

Thinking back, i have yet to see an attack on any nation that has considerable globalized ties. Maybe 911, but that was not an attack from a sovereign nation. For example, France has a large Alcoa/Howmet operation in Evon; Alcoa/Howmet is also located in Wichita Falls, Texas. Alcoa is US based. Yet the last time France was invaded, FDR was President, and globalization did not exist as it does now. Globalization is a good hedge against attack IMHO.

Taken from Wikipedia:
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Howmet, a division of Alcoa is a world leader in the investment casting of superalloys, aluminum and titanium primarily for jet aircraft and industrial gas turbine (IGT) engine components. Howmet also provides hot isostatic pressing, titanium ingots and protective coating services.

Dedicated to research and the development of its material, Howmet operates 27 facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, the UK, Hungary and Japan.

This is an example of a 3rd wave company, which is why i previously said i should have been more specific.


I live in Wichita Ks.....Wanna see how fast an entire local economy would dry up if there is no way to get Aluminum? (Especally in Wartime) Wichita is home to ALL of the Company's That build All the Aircraft for the USAF....Aircraft Plants,Head Offices,R&D its all done Here or In Seattle.......In short no Aluminum,No Planes....

Alcoa smelts over 2000 Kilo-tons of aluminum per year in the US. I believe this is very close, or even greater than what RUSAL (worlds largest) produces in Russia.


Ummm Yeah! My bad...:jointsmile:

[The Figment]

Ok Thats better....And thank you for filling me in on something that I did'nt know.