> Our nation is currently on the downward slope of the bell-curve for civilizations.
A "civilisation" is more than the modern notion of a nation-state. Ancient Egypt lasted ~3000 years. Ancient Sumeria/Babylon (the Akkadians were the inheritors of that culture) lasted ~4000 years. Sumeria itself ~2000 years. Greece lasted ~3000 years (I'm counting from the Myceneans to fall of Constantinople). China is still going (~5000 years). And so on.
Recognisable "European" civilisation is only around ~1500 years old. If you go by history, we've got at least another 1500 years.
Our nation (USA right?) has had many decades in its history where it seemed like things were falling apart as well, with much much greater turmoil than what we are currently experiencing.
Our nation is currently on the downward slope of the bell-curve for civilizations.