The US . . . . Imperial Rome incarnate?

Question

Why do I get the feeling that the US is turning into the Roman Empire more every day?

Anyone who knows basic history will see the creepy
writing on the wall. We're "falling" the same way the Romans did, so lost in our global power and decadence that we fail to address our problems. We see ourselves as "untouchable", and beholden to on one.

It took Rome more than 200 years to fall to her knees . . . the US has just made that landmark and we are already starting crumble, from the inside out.

Am I the only one who sees this?

Dead Marxist:

Interesting thoughts.

BTW: I know "all too well" what my screenname means . . . . :)

rukidding:

I'm not a "lib", thank you!

tttplttttt:

Sorry to disappoint YOU, I'm not the stupid little twit you think I am.

I know for a fact that "I" was not the first person to think of this!

Ha! Thanks for the good laugh!

Answer 1

No, not Rome. The US is more like ancient Egypt. They built the Pyramids, a feat that inspired awe throughout the Ages. We sent men to the Moon, a feat which will continue to inspire awe. They lasted for 5,000 years.

So by my reckoning, we still have about 4,800 years to go.

BTW: Nefertari (Nefertari Merytmut) (c. 1300–1250 BC) was the Great Royal Wife (or principal wife) of Ramesses the Great. Nefertari means Beautiful Companion. She is one of the best known Egyptian queens, next to Cleopatra

Answer 2

Actually there is a great book out there by Chalmers Johnson "Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic (2007)" that discusses the subject at length. Here is an interview with the author. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/27/1454229&mode=thread&tid=25

I agree, somewhat. Although the US modus operandi is much more similar to the British and Dutch. Trade as a means of control, you know? At the same time, Johnson;s proposition that a nation cannot be a republic and an empire at the same time should interest NorthAmericans. What do you want:affluence or democracy?

Answer 3

In a way the collapse may be similar if things keep going down the current path. The Roman empire fell under its own weight, having extended its sovereign power over a vast area. When the government became weak, hostile entities that rose up could not be crushed as they where under strong leadership. This is not an avocation of militarism, but a warning about over-extending the geographic area in which the government must control.

Answer 4

In 1918 economist Joseph Shumpeter painted a haunting picture of imperial Rome caught up in the terrors of an aging civilization:

"Here is the classic example of that kind of insincerity in both foreign and domestic affairs which permeates not only avowed motives but also probably the conscious motives of the actors themselves --of that policy which pretends to aspire to peace but unerringly generates war, the policy of continual preparation for war, the policy of meddlesome interventionism. There was no corner of the known world where some interest was not alleged to be in danger or under actual attack. If the interests were not Roman, they were those of Rome's allies; and if Rome had no allies, then allies would be invented. When it was utterly impossible to contrive such an interest, why then it was the national honor that had been insulted. The fight was always invested with an aura of legality. Rome was always being attacked by evil-minded neighbors, always fighting for a breathing space. The whole world was pervaded by a host of enemies and it was manifestly Rome's duty to guard against their indubitably aggressive designs. They were enemies who only waited to fall on the Roman people...."

He goes on to say that the real motives in Rome could only be understood by looking at, "what class interests benefitted from the empire. Those who gained were the aristocracy of landlords and agricultural enteprenuers born of struggle against their own people and whose dominance rested on control of the state machine"

Answer 5

Do you actually "see" it? Or does the news scare you into thinking it is? Notice how the media reports on everything these days. Take today for example. They found that poor girl from Kansas's body and arrested the kidnapper. All the news articles are about the killer/kidnapper. His history, why he did it, was it sexual, blah blah blah... Then, at the bottom is where you read that 1000's came out to help look for her. SO you see, there was 1000's of good people but the media only felt like presenting you with the 1 bad person in the story. They do this for everything. Religion (when is the last time you heard about a religious charity compared to a molesting priest) War (Why is the article always about a soldiers death and not his mission, i.e Providing food or water or building a school). The media sells bad stuff for money

Answer 6

I think the verses below give the understanding about the names of Jesus: Philippians l 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I definitely don't think Jesus appeared in human form before he was born. Note also that as at the burning bush when Moses spoke with God, it was actually God's angel who spoke God's words it may be that because as we are also told that we can't see God and live. Humans are mortal the LORD God is eternal, we cannot understand the vast difference in this time we are not equipped to do so. As for God coming to Zion, It may be that, as in the Tabernacle and the Temple, God will be there in the Holy of Holies or it may refer to the Lord Jesus as God's representative bearing God's name. We are told in 1 Corinthians 15 that when Jesus has perfected the coming kingdom he will hand it to his Father so that God will be all in all. God willing we will in due time find out all these vital things for ourselves.

Answer 7

No I have made the same relation to Rome for years now. Greed broke Rome apart and what do you see running rampant in our country today? Greed. Forget the real people of the country and lets only worry about the select few. That is the way this country is headed and its scary.

Answer 8

I try to be an optimist, but the way Congress handles itself and takes no responsibility for its own actions, I could see it happening.

No politician in Washington looks overseas for ideas that work, thinking they know it all. (Democrats are just as guilty as Republicans read the Broken Branch by Mann an Ornstein). The Bush Administration did not see how taking out the Taliban and Saddam would empower Iran because no one thought to see the situation as they would.

We are getting beaten in some very basic political power thinking because no one wants to think outside of themselves.

Even the immigration bill right now, it will be voted on based on reelection prospects. Not for the good of the country (I feel it will be defeated).

Answer 9

You don't think that perhaps the British or any other older nations people preached about the impending doom of their "empire" do you? The sky is not falling. Take a few deep breaths and remember that nations have an ebb and flow to them. Sometimes the wrong people end up in charge and poor decisions are made. But luckily for us we only have to deal with Dubya for short while longer. Buck up kiddo its not the end of the world.

Answer 10

Right..... you're the *only one* who sees this, yet you used one of the saddest overused talking points of the last 5 years. It's obvious you did not think this up all on your own. More likely you got it from your young trendy friends.

No, there's no correlation. Sorry to disappoint you, we are not crumbling. For some young people, it may be hard to believe that the USA has gone through much worse periods of time.

How about you and your friends spend your 30's in a different country and maybe you'll stay there, or maybe you'll find some appreciate for a country, our country, that you believe is so bad.

:::"Am I the only one who sees this?"
Thank *you* for the laugh, little one.