The Buddha teaches that all is transitory. Empires last on average 250 years, it is claimed, and the US is 246.

The collapse of the United part of the USA would involve terrible horrors and death. It is hard to detach from suffering at such a grand scale, but I don't see much of a way around it by now.

I still remember the Bicentennial - it was before I lived in the United States, but I was visiting my friend in Plattsburg and we watched a huge fireworks display from the Air Force Base.

You were still on the dark side at the time, most likely. :-D

Fast forward 46 years and now I no longer live in the US, because I perceive that it might not be around long enough to keep me going in my old age.

Thanks as usual for your thoughtful writing.