Three articles on the state of the union from outside parties...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/19/decline-fall-american-society-unravelled

http://www.salon.com/2014/04/09/global_rankings_study_america_in_warp_speed_decline_partner/?utm_source=huffpost_politics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_article

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-jones/is-this-country-crazy_b_6451880.html