Sounds like the writer is concerned that the country isn't conservative enough. We live in a very different world than the Romans. The US isn't the only civilized country around (like Rome was). We live in an interconnected world, and despite what you may think of the UN, even the idea of it it is a major achievement considering human history. The fact of the matter is the US as a state cannot fail. It wouldn't be allowed. You want proof; look at the Gulf War. If the countries of the world won't let [b]Kuwait[/b] fall, you can be damned sure the US won't.