Saintnik, the US will never be finished so long as the other big powers support them. Both Europe and Russia will back them to the hilt as they don't want to be the "world's policeman". And of course because the alternative to the US is just to horrific to contemplate.
It could be argued historically the US is actually just embarking on its colonial phase. Expensive to start with but when you get the mix right i.e. throw the lefty stuff out it becomes very profitable. It wouldn't surprise me if this doesn't become the next great phase in the expansion of US power and growth.
