@Slade, the moment for creative capitalism has passed; the very term makes me gag. If a capitalist feels guilty for making too much money then he should lower his prices.

And the idea of a decline in America after an American centric century is interesting. What Americans like are flat screen tvs, sports, and cars. So are people going to give up their tvs? Turn off the superbowl? Start walking to WalMart?

I kid a bit–I know what you are driving at. My point is that America is a law abiding, free, open society, with a free open press. Once you achieve–and retain–that nirvana, there is no decline.

Russia, meanwhile, has crossed the Rubicon, gaming on stakes of an uncertain future. Without a free press or open elections, ultimately, she will be doomed.