Eisenhower and Goldwater are dead and gone. Men of such stature do not walk the Earth today. Republicans are incapable of returning to those days. It is over.
For an empire to collapse, a catalyst is required, which is often foreign invasion or threat of invasion by compatible, not necessarily stronger foreign power. There is no one external power capable of invading or threat of invading U.S. in foreseeable future. However there are none state factors that may expedite the U.S. decline or collapse, one is hyperinflation of U.S. dollar causing it losing reserve currency status and the other is the FED/international bankers like to see U.S. come to the brink of collapse in order to own more U.S. debt.
MS13 controls the US southern border, don't be so sure that nobody is powerful enough to overcome the US.
no need for invasion, the British empire collapsed and they have not been conquered since 1066. It is highly likely as and when US forces proceed to withdraw from the world(due to the inability to service the debt as the defense budget is cut) , they will no longer be able to protect their interests, thus allowing rogue or regional powers like Iran,etc to gain control over certain vital resources or logistical interests. Almost immediately, the USD will lose its status as a reserve currency, without the support of the world, living costs will increase dramatically in the united states, hyperinflation will take place concurrently. For a society like the United States which worships materialism as its god and the high level of partisanship in our politics, some states will not be content to support "free-loading" states and proceed to print their own money, you will start seeing californian dollars,etc.Breakup proceeds, the United States is no more.
One word and One word alone Israel They are preparing to hit Iran cause they want to be the only Nuclear Power in Middle East This will open up a 3rd front for USA, the front we can't afford. I am also expecting a false flag event to blame Iran. Possibly staging one of their Ships/Boats attacking ours. And suddenly you got war and complete bankruptcy of US
The chinese will then sell at the bottom. Do not underestimate the American. No one can beat Americans in games they invented, and excel in. Did you check what happened to Gold price recently?
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but Edward Chancellor offers a slightly more nuanced view: http://www.scribd.com/doc/34068095/Reflections-on-the-Sovereign-Debt-Crisis
"Remember, my son, that any man who is a bear on the future of this country will go broke. " -- John Pierpont Morgan
* It is our will that this state shall endure for a thousand years. We are happy to know that the future is ours entirely! --Adolf Hitler