“From the eighteenth century onward, we have been obsessed with the fall; it has been valued as an archetype for every perceived decline, and hence as a symbol for our own fears.” – English historian Edward Gibbon on the decline of the Roman Empire

These days, the words spoken by Gibbon seem very appropriate when talking about the state of America and its fate as a superpower in the world.

This isn’t to suggest that I would personally perceive America as a technical “empire” like Rome, as this would lead to sticky battles on the definition and perceived applications of imperialism.

And I’m still trying to figure that one out. Yeah, look in the dictionary I know. But I’ve seen so many skewed versions of the term, that it’s just confusing.

As a superpower that’s facing a title lost, as number one Superpower in the world—many are saying that China is the next contender for the spot—well, the “Roman fall” definitely comes to mind.

We’re not dying. This country is far too great and powerful for that, but it’s becoming apparent to me that we may have had our moment in the sun in the world’s eyes.

A recent article in Newsweek –“The Decline of Western Innovation”– has forced those comparisons to run with such rampant force in my head like a dam bursting from the same flood that caused Noah to build an ark.

The article is specifically looking at the decline of innovation in the United States. And with innovation, we’re talking of engineers, scientists and anyone else you would consider to have that next big Google-esque effect on the world.

Think we’ve got nothing to worry about?

Anyone remember the auto industry bailout fiasco? Does that ring a bell? I nearly went bald from pulling my hair on that “little” event. And I’ve got a lot of hair on this head.

The article involved surveys conducted all over the world, with results from approximately 4,800 people.

Some of the information was pretty interesting.

For example, 78 percent of Americans believe that innovation will be important to the U.S. Economy in the next three decades.

This makes a lot of sense. And honestly, I’m kind of surprised that number isn’t at least in the lower 90’s.

True, for a country to succeed as “top dog” you need a little more than just the next T.V. or internet. Factors like military, as well as foreign affairs for instance come to mind. But right now, with the dollar as weak as it is, innovation wouldn’t hurt at all.

Countries should be looking at us as the cool kid in high school that sets the trends and ideas. That’s what the selfish part of me yells.

We’re America, and it's my belief that we’ll pull ourselves out of these stormy economic times anyway. But wouldn’t it just be awesome and patriotic if we showed the world that hey, “We’ve still got that innovation magic."

And it’s not like we’re not trying to improve ourselves. As we speak, America is currently focused on improving math science skills for our students.

But will we keep our status as the top superpower for much longer?

I don’t think so.

It’s hard for me to say that. And I want to say that “no, we’re going to keep that status for the next 100 years.”

Just call me an optimist draped in the cloak of pessimism.

You say tomato, I say realist.

Other countries are nipping at our heels here. And let’s also keep in mind that you just can’t ignore history.

As the Roman’s fell, so did the Ottoman Empire, as well as the Germans and countless others. Again, I’m not calling the U.S. an empire, but we are a dominant force in the world.

Growing up, the news always seemed to talk about how America was trying to do this or do that for the world. Countries tagged us as the “police” of the world, for whatever good or bad connotations were rooted with that title.

It seemed appropriate to me for the country to be like that because I thought it was the right thing to do. Help out those in need. At least, that was the ideal I interpreted.

Getting older forces us to change on our thoughts. Particularly, mine began to realize that there are just some things this country should not stick its nose into, especially when its got its own ills to tackle.

And maybe deep down, that’s why I wouldn’t mind America handling the “superpower” title to someone else. I’m not saying let’s just get bullied and controlled by another country because let’s be real, we wouldn’t let that happen. I have enough faith in this country that we would fight before we fell to another country if it met an attack on our freedom and rights.

Yet, we’ve got to realize that there are some wounds of ours to lick and heal. So let’s try to focus on that for a while. Let’s heal, prosper and grow. And when we’re finally ready, let’s go in for round two(peacefully) in this superpower championship.