America can't rule the world, nor should it

This one can be classified under a rather weak attempt at erudition.

America has exhausted itself in trying to rule over an unruly world.  It is straining under the  load.  There is probably no other recourse than to retreat from it.  America constitutes just 5% or so of the world's population.  A good deal more of that is the wealth share, but that is dwindling.  It won't do to expend what's left of this wealth in useless military adventures.  This may annoy the neo-cons very, very much.  But it is truth.  It is why Obama got elected.  Going back down that road will only lead to the same outcome as before---the left will be get even more entrenched within our culture.

No, the only way to save America at this point is to give it all up, and get back to basics.  George Washington said to avoid entangling alliances.  Hamilton favored protectionism.  Jefferson avoided giving State of the Union speeches because it was too king-like.  If this nation is to endure, it must find the basic principles which were used in establishing itself in the world in the first place.  If it is to endure, it must heed the wisdom of its founders.

The ones that are getting established now will lead to an entirely different America than the one we have known.

I don't like that.  I like the America that I grew up in.