But isn't the federalization of pretty much everything in a diverse country like the U.S. just another exercise in imperial overstretch?

WSJ: Henninger: Obama's Colossal Politics

Imperial overstretch financing guerrilla movements in Africa, Asia and Latin America and supporting cash-strapped and unloved regimes from Angola to Afghanistan increased the strain.

ECONOMIST: Welcome to the new world disorder

New theories, old slogans: Imperial overstretch.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Decline is a choice