but my own belief is that the US no longer has any good options--whether from the point of view of our oligarchs, or that of the populace.  

Even as the US economy is looted out, such wealth as is left depends on the US$ funneling goodies from the rest of the world.  Without that we would see, and indeed we are going to see, a decline in material standards that nobody is prepared for nor willing to accept.  

While I firmly believe the US could sustain its people without the support of dollar hegemony, I do not for a moment believe that Americans are willing to make the mental, political, and economic readjustments, nor accept the more modest living conditions, that a sustainable path would entail.  

Which is to say, imperialism has long been popular across the US political spectrum, and for a reason:  People sense that that is where the goodies come from.  Obama's New Cold War would be popular too, were the oligarchs willing to throw the masses a few crumbs.  That they are unwilling to do this is a measure of just how desperate the US economy has finally become.  

--Gaianne  

The Fates are kind.