Isolationism or Maintain the "Empire"?

[BlueStreak]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, what with all of the talk about the
supposed fall of the "American Empire".

In my younger days, I thought it was cool that America was one of the two "Superpowers". When the Soviet Union fell I thought it was a good thing (Still do.) and I was very proud that we remained as the sole "Superpower".

But as I reach middle age, I begin to wonder if maintaining millitary bases all across the globe, massive standing armies all over Europe and elsewhere, is something we should or even can continue to do.

Can we afford it?

Is it even necessary anymore?

Should we shut down all bases on foreign soil and concentrate on protecting our own borders/shores?

Should we seek an end, or at least curtail, our own millitaristic bent?

Will we eventually be left with no choice?

Virtually every other nation that has tried to establish and maintain an empire has exhausted itself trying to do so and had to give it up.

Are we next?

What do you say, Fellas?

Dave