To understand the passing parade of the American Epoch of Splendour it is useful, for me, to understand the metaphor of Sydney, Australia's New Years Eve Fireworks Display, on Sydney's beautiful Harbour. Sydney is the closest we, as Australians, can ever come to being Americans. Every New Year's Eve Sydney launches at least $US5 million dollars worth of fireworks, paid for by Sydney/NSW tax payers...and it is an amazing display, innovative, colourful, impressive, beautiful, massive...and it lasts 20 minutes...and then everyone goes home in the crowded dark and pays more taxes. I think the USA is exactly like that. The fact that Sydney simply can't afford to do that doesn't make a dent in the idea, or the pride...or the show. Still, it is just a show...and a very very expensive show...but Sydney has to keep doing it, to exist as important to itself....very much out on a limb of failing its people...but for the show...