The question is by what means do you recognize the fall, how do you quantify that it has fallen? As a nation our economic strength is in decline, has been for several decades, as witnessed by the decline in upward mobility and staggered growth of the middle class. The basis for the decline centers on legislation and government regulations that continue to force manufacturing off shore. At such time that re-repatriation of earned, post tax earnings are funneled back into the US economy without further taxation, coupled with reductions in corporate tax liability to the world average of 20%, or so, there will be no change, the decline will continue. From the standpoint of government spending, we are a credit based economy that will eventually result in overwhelming our currency and standard of living. Remember nothing is for free and eventually the man needs to be repaid. At some point the rekindling of the American spirit as Alexis Tocqueville wrote of eloquently of will need to be addressed which is counter to main stream liberal beliefs. On a final note, at the turn of the 19th century liberal elitists embraced the culture and progressive beliefs of Europe, sought to meld this philosophy within our political fabric, and succeeded, however with it came the baggage, complete with a ruling class and political elitism that was counter to what formed and developed this country into a world power. So yes we will fall and it can only be attributed to one simple fact, we sacrificed our sense of resolve, personal accountability, and can do spirit, for the prestige of the decadent trappings of the European model. Is it not rather ironic in that the very people that risked and sacrificed all to escape the corruption of Europe, build their dream, only to be betrayed by their own descendants?