The Portuguese also had an Empire around the XV-XVI centuries. The western world was practically divided between our over seas conquests and the Spanish`s. And guess what? Bit by bit, we lost it all (most to you Brits;) and so did the Spanish. I`m just saying too.

History can teaches that what is the rule and the most important thing in the universe one day, the other is merely a footnote in a book (will Bush be just a footnote one day? *ponders*). Power is a fragile thing, and it`s better to exercise it wisely than spend all your existence greedily wanting more and more till everything ends up falling apart. Take an advice from former "Super Powers", US.