The United States is in decline economically, militarily, spiritually, and ever other way. Obama sees his Presidential role as overseeing and abetting that decline. I'm hopeful that the country will find another Reagan-like figure to turn things around, but I'm not optimistic. It is ironic that as the US turns toward statism, if not fascist socialism, Europe appears to be moving right. Here is an article from Neo Neocon that suggests that socialist Europe cannot exist without capitalist America and America's military umbrella. The Europeans may realize that the Pax Americana is over, and that they may soon have to fend for themselves. I think there is merit in this reasoning.