Well, considering the current definition of growth and consumption largely means "let's rape the planet!" (I hope Santorum's kids like living on a world that's pretty much FUBAR), we'll have to switch to new systems at some point. Or have a new system forced on us by cold, hard reality, which is probably what will actually happen because the Republicans (and plenty of other politicians, to be fair), have an extraordinary ability to deny reality.

Maybe they think that we will colonize Mars in order to continue to consume away. But developing technology to get to Mars is Bad, Bad, Bad Government spending, and possibly socialism! But we must make an exception to continue our non-negotiable lifestyle of blatant waste! But if the Chinese develop the technology first, and get there first, and get the largest slice of Mars-pie, will we have to wage SPACE WAR to get our God-given share?!?!? Oh, the ideological conundrums!