Actually, much of what you say is also true of the US (except the 'land mass' you spoke of-which is true; US has much more 'fertile' and habitable land). But the crowded highways, crumbling infrastructure, loss of community, loss of social morals etc. is the same, and continually growing worse. However, I do feel for a country like Australia, they are nota world power like the US, and perhaps the 'degradation process' is moving faster there?