American Declinism

http://rationaloptimist.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/american-declinism/
My chosen sourse, 'The Rational Optimist' channels itself around the view that Americans should stay hopeful in this time of difficulty. The author goes against the view of pessimists who focus on the 'fall' of America and those who discount the view that America is a 'very rich country'. He claims that as long as America continues being productive in the world, they will be able to 'afford' the rising debts, thus maintaining the idea that America is not a 'debauched' nation who in reaching their peak, are now on a downword slope. America is still a country of great 'technological advancement' with the 'energy' and 'creativity' to silence doubters and get by without the possibility of starvation. If America maintains its exceptionalism of work ethic and high productivity, it may even get 'better'.
The article invites responses from other viewers; one which agrees with the author that 'we do need to be optimists about the future'; and one B Peterson who strongly disagrees with the optimistic outlook, claiming that 'Americans will lose either way'.