If you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it. Here is some history that we all need to learn from.
At its height, the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Euphrates River in the Middle East. Governing such a large territory caused an administrative and logistical nightmare.
Rome struggled to marshal enough resources to defend its frontiers from local rebellions and outside attacks. By the second century, these attacks forced Emperor Hadrian to build his famous wall in Britain just to keep the enemy at bay. As Emperors funneled more and more funds into the upkeep of the empire, technological advancement slowed and Rome’s civil infrastructure fell into disrepair.
As outside forces were attacking Rome, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. Overspending had significantly consumed funds. Oppressive taxation and inflation had widened the gap between rich and poor. In the hope of avoiding the taxman, many members of the wealthy classes fled to the countryside and set up independent fiefdoms.
With its economy faltering, the Empire began to lose its grip on Europe.
Although no one at that time thought this great world power could collapse, it did.
The Roman Empire collapsed in 476 A.D.
Will we repeat this?
There are parallels between the US today and the Roman Empire. You may not believe the US could fall, but it just might unless we change our direction.
Last night each of the 2020 Presidential candidates participating in the first debate promised Americans more free stuff than the previous one. They all want to increase the numbers of people who depend on the US government instead of supporting it.
Who will pay for all of this free stuff? The wealthy, of course, and Wall Street, they say. But even if every wealthy person paid seventy-five percent of his or her income in taxes, our country couldn’t sustain this high level of expenditure. And, if the wealthy were forced to pay so much in taxes, they wouldn’t continue to create jobs as they do now. Nor would they donate money to help others less fortunate than themselves with medical care and other needs.
All this free stuff sounds good but it would cause our country to repeat history.
If the US allows these politicians to achieve their goals, the US could collapse under the financial burden of overspending and supporting so many people who do not work. There are simply not enough taxpayers to support people who do not support themselves or pay taxes.
Even the Bible says in Thessalonians 3:10, “…If any will not work, neither let him eat.”
Yes, the US has a wonderful civil infrastructure at the moment, but it could easily fall just like the Roman Empire did 1532 years ago. It may not fall during your lifetime but the US is heading for a fall.
I believe I am more compassionate than many and possibly more willing to help others than most. But I know that allowing our government to collapse under too great a financial burden will not help anyone.
I hope that everyone, regardless of political party affiliation, thinks about this…
Should our country go down this path and repeat history?
Let the encouraging words in these bobbiejrae posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
When a mother gives birth…
Always try to carry your own water!
Some problems simply have no easy answers.
What is the very best gift you can give your family?
