When did America begin its 'decadent' decline? 4 theories

The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne says America has conclusively begun to rot with "Weinergate." Others peg earlier events as our point of no return

The Anthony Weiner spectacle
(Image credit: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

"At what point do we decide that a political system has become decadent?" asks Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne. For Dionne, America lost its last shreds of dignity and restraint a la ancient Rome during the media "circus" over Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-N.Y.) sexting scandal. Others believe our tipping point came earlier. Here, four alternate events that signaled our point of no return:

1. The outsourcing spree (1990s)

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