An outside perspective of the implosion of the once great United States of America

This blogger from Russia seems to see the downward spiral of America a lot more clearly than most Americans.

http://mat-rodina.blogspot.com/2009/04/american-capitalism-gone-with-whimper.html

It appears that we will see in our lifetime the further fulfillment of prophecy by multiple latter-day prophets that the Constitution of the United States would hang by a thread due to the apathy and immorality of the people, and conspiring, wicked men (and women) who put their own thirst for power,and the advancement of their own agenda, above their duty to the citizens they represent and their oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

These are just a few of the websites that document such teachings.
http://www.rogmo.com/99.html
http://www.ldslastdays.com/default.aspx?page=pscthread.htm

"In the end, the state of the Union comes down to the character of the people. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. In the fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there. In her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits, aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
Alexis de Tocqueville- 19th century French political thinker and historian

"It's not an endlessly expanding list of rights—the 'right' to education, the 'right' to health care, the 'right' to food and housing. That's not freedom, that's dependency. Those aren't rights, those are the rations of slavery—hay and a barn for human cattle. "
P.J. O'Rourke- present day American political satirist

"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."
Alexander Fraser Tytler, 17-18th Century British Lawyer

Please read this 1992 talk by Elder Dallin Oaks entitled "The Divinely Inspired Constitution", especially the last section entitled, "Citizen Responsibilities".
http://tinyurl.com/6d4rp3

P.S. Many of these same principles of government apply in spades to state and local governments, such as the nearly bankrupt state of Kali-for-nia.