US at 250: A nation sets itself on fire

The United States of America, founded to overthrow a mad king, has elected one of its own 250 years later. As the nation marks the anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, it is, in the words of one observer, "setting itself on fire at its birthday party." Scholars in 30 or 40 years, if they still exist, will wonder how the richest country in history—with the world’s most powerful alliances and a scientific capacity fueled by global talent—chose to throw it all away. The crisis, however, has been present from the beginning.