The Rich, the Poor, and the Middle Class

[shadows]

I tried all those suggestions.   I do think your ideals are those you will accomplish liken the mercenaries that was such a help to the Roman Empire.  

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

I tried all those suggestions.   I do think your ideals are those you will accomplish liken the mercenaries that was such a help to the Roman Empire.  

Exactly.  Those mercenaries, those barbaric germanic hordes that destroyed Rome.... But wait, did they?  I thought they was us?[]

Long live the Roman Empire!

Germany


US

Vatican

Wall Street

Oklahoma

Spain


Mexico City

Oh no, here us, I mean, they come again![]

[shadows]

#65532;

Your pictures are well assorted.  
You don't show a picture of the general who led the mercenaries against Rome.  Nor did you show our national shrine "The Mexican Alamo."
You should note that the relations between Mexico and the USA have been strained for many years.   Note in the picture that the flags are of the same level.   "Who's flag will lead the march"  

[TheArtist]

The point is... Rome never really fell, it evolved, fragmented, changed names and grew into different variations. The Vatican See is one, (The Pope, the Cesar) the Russian Orthidox Church another, Charlemagne (who suffered invasions of those pesky viking invaders whose overpopulation and youth searching for wealth invaded his empire, but later became just as "Roman" as well) the British Empire, the US, etc.  Even when it was called Rome by name it varied in strength, size, "type", and even warred with and within itself ("You don't show a picture of the general who led the mercenaries against Rome" Justinian? Washington? Grant? Lee?).   The germanic tribes and mercenaries who invaded Rome or were Roman slaves and at best second class citizens without equal rights and constantly berated by the Romans and not allowed to assimilate ( and they dared to rise up?), settled in nicely and in the end became just like those they supplanted and also carried Rome back to their homelands (there are "Alimos" in those stories as well). Their descendants ended up making Rome bigger and more powerful than it was before.

[shadows]

The use of mercenaries we were to employee to offset our failure to provide an army only points out that Constantine divided the empire and established the Eastern Empire which failed because it was defended by non-Romans.   Attila the Hun overran the Western Empire it seems with mercenaries as Roman's believed they were untouchable Gods .  

The Vatican city state is not a part of Rome but the seat of an independent country with its own government.  

The point I was trying to make was that history and nature produces an army every 20 years.  When any nations fails by what-so-ever means to maintain an growing army the days of that nation is limited.  It is in the displaying of the standards or flags that show an army depending of those you indicated would defend us is what I intended to question.  

If you have noticed in the world of journalism they refer to the three super powers; USA, China and Russia.   We have been downgraded from the only superpower to one of three.   Is there a message written on the wall somewhere that we need someone to read to us?

[RecycleMichael]

"It takes a pillage."

Atilla the Hun

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

"It takes a pillage."

Atilla the Hun

I love Barbarian Week.

On the History Channel!

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

The use of mercenaries we were to employee to offset our failure to provide an army only points out that Constantine divided the empire and established the Eastern Empire which failed because it was defended by non-Romans.   Attila the Hun overran the Western Empire it seems with mercenaries as Roman's believed they were untouchable Gods .  

The Vatican city state is not a part of Rome but the seat of an independent country with its own government.  

The point I was trying to make was that history and nature produces an army every 20 years.  When any nations fails by what-so-ever means to maintain an growing army the days of that nation is limited.  It is in the displaying of the standards or flags that show an army depending of those you indicated would defend us is what I intended to question.  

If you have noticed in the world of journalism they refer to the three super powers; USA, China and Russia.   We have been downgraded from the only superpower to one of three.   Is there a message written on the wall somewhere that we need someone to read to us?

Well you kind of missed my point about the Vatican, but anyway.  To your point...  One of my history professors once said,"If you really want to understand what is, or was, going on, follow the money.  Another said, "He who has the most people wins."  I think you are saying that because the US has a smaller army it is in danger of not being "the" superpower.  It has been apparent to me that the US's days as top dog are numbered.  You seem upset by this or think that there is a solution to this, like having lots of children perhaps lol. I just think its the inevitable march of history. Ever since the 80's it has been obvious to me what is likely to happen. The US is now kind of like the British Empire was at one time. We will someday be like Britain is today (or France, god help us). Barring some unforseen disaster or war, China and India will be the superpowers within this next century.

We seem to have this attitude that we are so much more prosperous and further ahead because of some "innate superiority". Its actually a fluke in a way that the US became the superpower. Before the two world wars, the US was looked upon as a minor power. If Europe hadn't destroyed itself, while we profited, we would still be a minor country.  It amazes me that such small countries like France, Germany, Italy, are still wealthier economies than China or India. Once Europe recovers and pulls itself together, it too will more than likely outpace the US once again. So I bet that within 100 years the US will be the numero 4 dog.

Is this reason to panic? Not in my opinion. But many US citizens may not like getting back what we have dished out.

Here I am going to play the "what could happen in the future" game.  I predict that China will continue to grow for a bit, now is kind of like their (roaring 20s).  Then because of bad banking practices and other things, their economy will collapse(the great depression).  Unless Europe and India have strengthened enough to counter this collapse, the whole world will go into a depression. Some really bad things can happen during this time, but if they don't completely destroy us, or the world hangs in there.  Then China will become a superpower, equal to or greater than the US, Europe, and India (kind of like we did in the 50's). Roaring 20s, Great Depression, bit of some chaos, then US like Perfidious Albion is today.

[Hometown]

Someone told me once that the Spanish are genetically closest to the ancient Romans.  Even more so than Italians.  

Ancient Rome was brought down by potato farmers.  Northern Europe, mighty eater of potato.  

Today most of the world that I've seen is peopled by descendants of the Potato Eaters and the Romans.  And I swear that's what we look like to me.  Potato eaters and Romans.

Wow, can you imagine, the Roman language is still spoken today.

Anyway, I read somewhere that our economy will be swamped by the Chinese economy by about 2050.  And some where I read that United Europe is already wealthier than we are.

We used to hear a lot about our standard of living in comparison to the rest of the world.  But we don't hear about it now, for obvious reasons.  The Republicans have been very successful in knocking the working people in the U.S. down to a more competitive position in the World Economy.  Ouch.

[cannon_fodder]

Pssst Hometown:

1)  The potato is an South American crop.  It wasnt introduced to the America's until the 16th century.  It is unlikely that 5th century Goths had access to them.

2) The Chinese economy will probably be larger than our own much sooner than that.

3) The 14 nations of the EU zone, while in competition with the US for GDP, is not nearly as affluent. The average citizen of the EU lives on $29,300 USD a year.  The average American on $43,500.  The story will hold for China far after their GDP surpasses our own.  We remain a rich people by all standards.

4) Given the above facts and the recently announced 14% annual rate of increase for real wages - do you have to retract your closing statement?   Not that I'm content with the workings of the Republican party, but pretending they somehow eliminated our economic dominance is ignorant.  

XoXo,

Another 'rich' American.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Someone told me once that the Spanish are genetically closest to the ancient Romans.  Even more so than Italians.  

Ancient Rome was brought down by potato farmers.  Northern Europe, mighty eater of potato.  

Today most of the world that I've seen is peopled by descendants of the Potato Eaters and the Romans.  And I swear that's what we look like to me.  Potato eaters and Romans.

Wow, can you imagine, the Roman language is still spoken today.

Anyway, I read somewhere that our economy will be swamped by the Chinese economy by about 2050.  And some where I read that United Europe is already wealthier than we are.

We used to hear a lot about our standard of living in comparison to the rest of the world.  But we don't hear about it now, for obvious reasons.  The Republicans have been very successful in knocking the working people in the U.S. down to a more competitive position in the World Economy.  Ouch.

Those of us who are optimistic and who take advantage of every opportunity to succeed always do succeed.  Those who don't sit around and ***** about how the government or political parties who don't share their ideology are screwing them out of a good income.  Quit coming up with excuses and blaming others for why you earn crappy wages.

If you aren't flourishing in today's economy, then you must be paralyzed from the neck up.

[Hometown]

Like you're really at the top of the food chain Conan.  You're a working smuck like most of us but you vote like you think you're the CEO of a major corporation.

And Cousin, the funny part is that I hear I'm doing pretty good for Tulsa.

Cannon I started to research the history of the potato and then I thought oh give it up.  I bow to your superior knowledge of the spud.  Hi Americas, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Potato.

How do Latinos describe gringos?  Boiled potatoes with no salt.

[cannon_fodder]

I am the potato king, I can do anything.

[Hometown]

Yes, you are a truly magnificant Potato King Cannon and I hope I can count you among my growing list of Republican friends.  I love you all no matter how misguided you may be.

Where's Cousin Conan?  Doubtless he's jetting off to some glamorous center of commerce to be with other major Republican donors.  

[shadows]

It was never my intention to start a history discussion but only to where it is relative to the rise and fall of all empires through what we have call the dark ages.    

Artist does well reading the hand writing on the wall.   We entered into two world wars with new blood after those engaged had depleted their resources.  We are not invincible but have the most robust economy among the nations of the world.   We invented the plastic credit card where we can spend the money today our grandchildren will be making in the future.   Average wage $21.00 per hour.   There sure must be a lot of employees in government jobs that make in assess of $31.00 per hour.