If our experiment in self rule is nearly at an end, should we not we expand, improve, and uphold it? Failure to do would mean the fall of America itself. In addition, extended periods of war always result in economic recession, decisive defeat, increased dictatorial and tyrannical mindsets from rulers, or worse.
It happened to the Romans, it happened to all of the Colonial powers including England, it happened to the Soviets, and now it's happening to us.
Furthermore, many wars in which nations attempt occupation of other states and face enemies using irregular tactics and strategies eventually lead to the victory of the defenders. Again, Rome. Before that, the Wu-Chu war where Sun Tzu practiced his genius. The American Revolution. The little-known Peninsular War primarily between France and Spain where the term "guerrilla"was actually coined. Vietnam, of course. The Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Point is, we are involved in two wars in which we are up against irregular fighters and have no decisive victory goals. To maintain public support, our leaders are hilariously and hypocritically fighting the "War on Terror" while causing far more fear, uncertainty, and doubt than existed before their new authoritarian policies were put into place. In fact, a recent poll has shown that Americans now fear their own government more than terrorism.
This is a perfect storm, a perfect storm for the collapse of an empire. Of course, people are just going to sit back, let it happen, then find that it is far too late to do anything about it. The government has conditioned us to do so.