Is America the “New Rome?”

Many say "no," but a growing number of people who know of these things are saying "yes, we’re headed that way."

One of those individuals who know what they’re talking about is the comptroller general of the United States, David Walker. He’s on a quest to spread his philosophy of fiscal responsibility and the dangers of ignoring that virtue all over this country. Unfortunately, I don’t believe enough people are listening.

From Dan Radmacher’s article at Roanoke.com:

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.

As Radmacher notes, Walker’s emphasis is on the third of these problems. This country is experiencing an explosion of debt, and he’s right (as are many others who agree) when he suggests that our ever-increasing and almost impossible to stop debt positions will devour our economic strength.

Rome fell, and if this country’s mostly politically motivated fiscal irresponsiblity continues, so will we.

What interesting through this unwinding, is that the Libertarian philosophy, bring the armed forces back home to defend our homeland and get out of the rest of the world’s affairs so we can take care of ourselves, may well become the only action that will save us, rather than just being seen as a quirky extremist ideal.

Posted in Economy