But you're completely correct. The world is going back to a bi-polar state, with the democratic westernized economies on one side, and authoritarian non-democratic countries on another (Russia, Iran, China ect...). To the victor goes the spoils. For there to be victory, the USA (and her many allies) must stay on top of the game.

Boeing is back on top again, Crashbus only snagged about half the contracts as Boeing in 2013.

This is how the great game is played. The US just happens to have the deck stacked in their favor; is this a new revelation? Hardly...and Snowden thinks this is a bad thing. So he runs off to China and then Russia with his stolen data, which just happen to be America's key rivals. Let it be known, Snowden will never leave Russia alive, not because he doesn't wish to, but because his current paymasters will never allow it.

is vital to the long term viability of the humanity. Think about it, space exploration and exploitation on an industrial scale only works with multinational involvement. The presence of the space station promotes peace, cooperation, and invaluable R&D. Not to mention, the 100 billion cost only amounts to a few months in Iraq/Afghanistan. Cost is irrelevant compared to the long term goal of making space sustainable.

Forget the super volcano, there's a typo in the title!

But I have observed that whether there is a big D or R as POTUS, it doesn't really affect political outcomes as much as it may seem. Take for example the relatively new in vogue maneuver of 'redistricting' and 'gerrymandering', perhaps the true root of systemic dysfunction. Essentially a practice of 'divide and conquer', where private interests successfully co-opt larger societal movements. Witness the dysfunction in Congress --- the power players love it! All those political lobbyists, media manipulators, spin doctors, fringe politicians preaching destruction of the government, fat cat hedgefunders, and sycophants of every political and religious affiliation ect... Who would want to change the status quo when they're making so much money from it?

Why do wealthy people live in those areas? Because that's where the money is. Meanwhile, Republican supporters (predominantly living in lower income areas), will continue to vote against their own best interests.

China has caught up to cold war tech from 50 years ago! I'm much more impressed with the Indian satellite effort which just set off for Mars.

I don't know what country you're in, but the US is not doing austerity.

When the NSA offers to sell the EU the technology at reduced prices. :)

Now we shall have Peace in our time.

Truth is relative, the medium is the message, and the NSA controls the medium. ;)

The Internet Kill switch is located on the twentieth sub-floor of the White House, in a small room right beside the cot Dick Cheney hid under in 2001 for three weeks. The switch is enclosed in a nondescript beige controller box with a large round red button that blinks with the pulse of the internet. A sign above reads, only switch off in case of emergency, or alien invasion.

And 40-50% of ALL food goes rotten or is thrown away (from supermarkets or consumers fridges). Locally grown veggies can adapt to local demand, time to market reduces wastage. WIN WIN