America will live on as an abiding idea

America will soon decline, as all empires do.

And just as Rome 'lived on' as a model for future generations, so will America.

America will live on as an abiding example of great principles -- its Constitution, its Bill of Rights, its Declaration of Independence, its freedom of expression, energy, optimism, and and innovative spirit. It will be remembered for ages, as a paragon, a shining example of what could be, a high water mark in human civilization.

It will, much as Rome was, also be studied by historians for why it failed.

Whoever occupies this land in the future will forever harp back to its early enthusiasm and creativity. Its ideals of liberty and justice will be the aim of every society to come for a thousand years.

In that sense America, the idea, will always be great.