What Is Holding America Together?

Written by Frank Li

This is a very important question, and there is no better time to answer it than now, when kneeling during the national anthem at a sport event has become such a big controversial issue, requiring Presidential attention …

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1. Overview

Can any country possibly be more exceptional than America, which was founded with neither a king nor a pope? Yet, today, not only is America most religious among the developed countries, she also seems to be yearning for a king, if not a God (Is Donald Trump a God?).

Here is a basic, but very critical, question: what’s holding America together? To answer this question, let’s go back in history …

2. History

Let’s review three empires:

1. The Roman Empire.
2. China.
3. The British Empire.

Let me highlight each …

2.1 The Roman Empire

The Romans, especially Constantine the Great, did everything possible to pursue the elusive dream of “one state, one society, and one religion”, including possibly the creation of both Christianity, as we know it today (e.g. the New Testament), and Islam (Did the Romans Create both Christianity and Islam?), but failed eventually.

2.2 China

The image below highlights the open secret behind China’s success, as the longest continuous civilization in human history.

More significantly, great civilizations come and go, with one exception: China – come (3000 BC – 1800 AD), go (1800-1976), and come again (1978-present)!

2.3 The British Empire

The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.

The British Empire is still holding, albeit much smaller than the image above shows.

2.4 Summary

Six informative readings:

1. Ancient Greece vs. Ancient China.
2. Ancient Rome vs. Ancient China.
3. The Era of the Byzantine Empire vs. Ancient China.
4. Spanish & British Empires vs. China.
5. Civilizations: It’s the Written Languages, Stupid!
6. The Greatest Countries in Human History.

3. America

Let’s discuss America in four periods:

1. 1776 – 1945: Throughout this period, America was mostly just a country.
2. 1946 – 2001: Throughout this period, America was an empire.
3. 2001 – 2017: Throughout this period, America was an empire in decline.
4. 2017 – Beyond: America must give up its empire, and be back as a country.

Let me elaborate on each …

3.1 1776 – 1945

Throughout this period, America was mostly just a country, ever expanding though. What was holding America together?

Prosperity, thanks, chiefly, to “freedom†and “abundance†in natural resources! For more, read: What is America, Anyway (Version 3)?

3.2 1946 – 2001

After World War II ended in 1945, America became an empire, with its military bases all over the world. What was holding the Empire together?

Democracy!

Specifically, not only did America become a full democracy itself (Voting Rights Act of 1965), America sold democracy as the best form of government all over the world.

A bad thing happened to America on September 11, 2001, which changed America, as well as the world, forever.

3.3 2001 – 2017

Throughout this period, America was an empire in decline, thanks to decades of Democratic Socialism at home and Democratic Imperialism abroad!

Today, America is an over-extended empire, just like the Roman Empire, if not the British Empire. Two main points:

1. Debt destroyed Rome. Debt will destroy America.
2. Christianity was not able to hold the Roman Empire together. Democracy will not be able to hold the American Empire together. Why not? Democracy has proven to be an invalid form of government, just like it was 2,500 years ago with its first experiment (i.e. Athenian democracy)! For more, read: Democracy: to be or not to be?

3.4 2017 – Beyond

Although we are still abundant in natural resources, both freedom and prosperity are largely gone, thanks to the huge national debt of $20 trillion!

What’s the solution? Give up the empire and focus on America – Make America Great Again!

How?

Political reforms, as I have suggested (American Democracy)!

Meanwhile, leave the kneeling issue out of the national discourse, as it’s not very important, either way!

4. Closing

Now, please sit back and watch the short video below – Do you agree?