Beware the fall of Rome...

[cannon_fodder]

IN a recent speech the Comptroller General of the United States draws parallels between the United States of Today and the Roman Republic of 25 BC.

quote:
As I mentioned earlier, there are striking similarities between America's current situation and that of another great power from the past: Rome. The Roman Empire lasted 1,000 years, but only about half that time as a republic. The Roman Republic fell for many reasons, but three reasons are worth remembering: declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government. Sound familiar? In my view, it's time to learn from history and take steps to ensure the American Republic is the first to stand the test of time.
Please don't misunderstand my message today. Things are far from hopeless. Yes, it's going to take some difficult choices on a range of issues. But I'm convinced America will rise to the challenge, just as we did during World War II and other difficult times.
What's needed now is leadership. The kind of leadership that leads to meaningful and lasting change has to be bipartisan and broad-based. Character also counts. We need men and women with courage, integrity, and creativity. Leaders who can partner for progress and are committed to truly and properly discharging their stewardship responsibilities.
But leadership can't just come from Capitol Hill or the White House. Leadership also needs to come from Main Street

Excerpt from a speech to The Federal Midwest Human Resources Council and the Chicago Federal Executive Board Chicago, Illinois August 7, 2007.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071188cg.pdf

Referenced Report:
http://www.gao.gov/21stcentury.html

Article about this subject (serves as an executive summary if you life):
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/80fa0a2c-49ef-11dc-9ffe-0000779fd2ac.html
- - - - -

Vaaaary interesting.  His primary concern: entitlement reform.  Much like Rome, the United States is promising its citizens the good life with as little work as possible.  Much like Rome, we have sent our armies over seas (in part) to help secure that good life.  Much like Rome, we are writing a check future generations can not cash.

Of course, the differences are too numerous to list fully:  industrialization, global economy, the corporation, modern innovation (new technology cycle every 20 years, instead of every 400 years), etc.

Interesting analysis anyway, a clearly the man is a very effective public speaker.

[edit]Corrected typo, neglected to enter the year of Roman Republic above[/edit]

[aoxamaxoa]

I guess Bush is Nero.

[cannon_fodder]

Nero was an emperor who reigned some 90 years after the fall of the Roman Republic.  He was also popular with the populace, fought a successful war, competed in the Olympic games and negotiated improved relations with several neighboring/conquered states (including Greece).  He ruled for 14 years before being forced out and committing suicide.

So other than ruling as emperor after the Republic fell, fighting successful wars, negotiating improved relations with other nations, being an Olympian and being popular - you have a point.  Oh yeah, and Nero prosecuted (as well as persecuted, largely as source of blame for the fires of Rome) Christians and Bush promulgates them.

So no.  Bush isnt Nero.

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

I guess Bush is Nero.

Wrong Ax Man.... Bush would be Testacleez...

He is on KMOD almost every week....

He drives his point home for Mister Manuel Labor.... He, after all, is the Big Boss Ben Dover....[}:)]

[aoxamaxoa]

Oh, I thought you'd get the fiddle comparison.

Never mind.[]

[cannon_fodder]

Washington isn't burning.

[aoxamaxoa]

Maybe not.

But he's fiddlin' around and doing little else....

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

Maybe not.

But he's fiddlin' around and doing little else....

Well of course he is. No incentive to do much anything else, right?

[aoxamaxoa]

quote:Originally posted by mr.jaynes

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

Maybe not.

But he's fiddlin' around and doing little else....

Well of course he is. No incentive to do much anything else, right?

Right....

"Learn from the fall of Rome, US warned"

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/80fa0a2c-49ef-11dc-9ffe-0000779fd2ac.html

"The US government is on a 'burning platform' of unsustainable policies and practices with fiscal deficits, chronic healthcare underfunding, immigration and overseas military commitments threatening a crisis if action is not taken soon, the country's top government inspector has warned."

Read up now. It was such a good article it deserved a repost!

[aoxamaxoa]

Velcome to the Roven Empire....

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

IN a recent speech the Comptroller General of the United States draws parallels between the United States of Today and the Roman Republic of 25 BC.

quote:
As I mentioned earlier, there are striking similarities between America's current situation and that of another great power from the past: Rome. The Roman Empire lasted 1,000 years, but only about half that time as a republic. The Roman Republic fell for many reasons, but three reasons are worth remembering: declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government. Sound familiar? In my view, it's time to learn from history and take steps to ensure the American Republic is the first to stand the test of time.
Please don't misunderstand my message today. Things are far from hopeless. Yes, it's going to take some difficult choices on a range of issues. But I'm convinced America will rise to the challenge, just as we did during World War II and other difficult times.
What's needed now is leadership. The kind of leadership that leads to meaningful and lasting change has to be bipartisan and broad-based. Character also counts. We need men and women with courage, integrity, and creativity. Leaders who can partner for progress and are committed to truly and properly discharging their stewardship responsibilities.
But leadership can't just come from Capitol Hill or the White House. Leadership also needs to come from Main Street

Excerpt from a speech to The Federal Midwest Human Resources Council and the Chicago Federal Executive Board Chicago, Illinois August 7, 2007.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071188cg.pdf

Referenced Report:
http://www.gao.gov/21stcentury.html

Article about this subject (serves as an executive summary if you life):
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/80fa0a2c-49ef-11dc-9ffe-0000779fd2ac.html
- - - - -

Vaaaary interesting.  His primary concern: entitlement reform.  Much like Rome, the United States is promising its citizens the good life with as little work as possible.  Much like Rome, we have sent our armies over seas (in part) to help secure that good life.  Much like Rome, we are writing a check future generations can not cash.

Of course, the differences are too numerous to list fully:  industrialization, global economy, the corporation, modern innovation (new technology cycle every 20 years, instead of every 400 years), etc.

Interesting analysis anyway, a clearly the man is a very effective public speaker.

[edit]Corrected typo, neglected to enter the year of Roman Republic above[/edit]

Won't go that far, but i will say that our influence may tend to wane just a tad.

[TheArtist]

At best we will end up like the UK, at worst we will be like France. []

[Rico]

I am from France.... and I very much resent your statement..............!

[shadows]

I got lost again in the comparison of Rome with the USA.  Seems they kept very little history thus had very few historians.   I believe that the republic form of government in Rome was installed in the middle of the 5th B.C. century and expired in the first quarter of the 4th B.C. century from the time it ended until Caesar declared him dictator there seemed to be turmoil within as immigrants were being given citizenship.  Caesar was murdered by a conspiracy supposedly by the senate.  Next came Tiberius until 37 A.D. followed by Nero who was raised by a philosopher.  One might say he was weird as he had his mother and first wife murdered, persecuted the Christians, suspected of arson in the burning of Rome in 64 to commit suicide in 68 after being declared an enemy by the Senate.

That all sounds like the turmoil we are always creating.

On the bright side Rome was the most brutal nation that has been on this planet.   They conquered, they plundered, taxed, enslaved, built, and added lead to their gold coins. (bite the coin to test the lead content)  In the end they placed themselves on an exalted pedestal, turning to sports and orgy,s.

We might have a hard time filling the foot steps of Rome.  We are a step ahead of them on the mixing lead with gold in our coins.   We have found out it is a lot cheaper to print it on paper.    

[iplaw]

quote:That all sounds like the turmoil we are always creating.

What the hell are you talking about?