The mere fact that America still attracts millions of people is evidence that it is not in decline.People aren't attrcted to a place of decline. Signs of decline are sure to be found in a placeas complex as America :debt, crime, the homeless,drugs,dropouts.But the main characteristic of America ,the first and most enduring（持久的,）impression（印象）is dynamism（活力、精力）,energy,aggressiveness,forward movement.

It is so hard to think of this nation in decline when you know that there are vast regions of the planet which are absolutely paralyzed（瘫痪的），incapable of any improvement at all.

It is difficult for me to agree with Pual Kennedy'sthesis（论题，论点）in The Rise and Fall of Great Powers that America must inevitably（必然的，不可避免的）follow historical precedent（先例）.That's the way history used to be ——all powerful nations declined and gave way to other empires（帝国）.But maybe there is another way to look at what is happening（不双写n）.I have a sense that what is going on here concerns much more than the fate of a nation.

It may be the Euro-centered American nation is declining as it gives way to a new Pacific（太平洋的）civilization that will include, but not be limited to,America.Historically speaking,America may not decline, but instead fuse（融合，熔化）with the Pacific culture to create a kind of vast Pacific collage（拼贴画）,a mix of Hispanic（西班牙的）and Asian cultures linked through the most modern communication technologies.