Best is a pretty subjective concept.

Is America's influence and power starting to wain? A bit, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It isn't necessary to be the boss to be prosperous and happy. In personal life, doesn't less responsibility elsewhere equate to more time to concentrate on what's important to you?

Contrary to some conservative view points, the world is constantly changing. Traditions are great, but if one is unwilling or unable to give up outmoded ways of thinking, progress is impossible and degeneration is inevitable.

Why are Americans so afraid of big government? You already have big government and guess what, it's here to stay. What's wrong with paying taxes? If your government spent your tax dollars in a responsible manner, by providing much needed services for its citizens instead of trying to kill off poor people of colour on the other side of the world, your best days may have been yet to come, instead of in the rear view mirror.