Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

  1. #1
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    (snip)"Let this be fair warning to all governments, especially our own, regarding the grave perils of overspending and overbuilding ... overtaxing its people while squandering their wealth ... overextending the military and ... overinflating the economy while debasing the currency.

    If each of these blunderous policies were being scrupulously avoided in America today, we might be able to breathe a sigh relief. But, alas, nothing could be further from the truth. The facts:

    Overspending: U.S. government spending is out of control. The cost of Medicare alone could bust the country, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

    Overbuilding: The housing and construction boom in the U.S. has been the greatest of all time. The ensuing bust, now already under way, could be equally great.

    Overtaxing: Despite repeated promises by our leaders to stem the rise in taxes, overtaxation remains a huge burden for most Americans. This year, for example, Tax Freedom Day didn’t come until April 26, according to the Tax Foundation. Until that date, every single penny earned by the average American needed to be set aside for paying this year’s taxes. Only after that date was your money yours to keep.

    Overextending the military: The Pentagon reports that the U.S. government has virtually exhausted the resources of its armed forces and must now pull more National Guard troops away from their homeland defense and disaster relief operations in order to continue supporting the efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

    Meanwhile, due to its lack of forces, military experts are saying that any conflict with the Persian Gulf’s largest power — Iran — would have to be restricted almost entirely to an air war. A U.S. ground attack would be almost impossible. (For details, see my report, “Eye of The Storm.”)

    Overinflating the economy while debasing the currency. This is ongoing. As I demonstrate in “The Greatest Scam of All Time,” the true inflation rate in the United States is at least 7% right now, sinking your purchasing power at much faster rate than the government recognizes.

    Meanwhile, here in Europe, the value of the U.S. dollar continues to sink. The dollar bought 1.21 euros at its peak in 2000. Today, it buys only 0.79 cents."(snip)

  2. #2
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    295
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    You know Melonie, I am sure you have seen Jaywalking on the Jay Leno show. Granted, they probably only air the stupidest people possible and edit the rest out, but it is a fine example of ignorant people are. How many could pick out Rome on a globe, much less understand the history behind the fall of the civilization.

    When Bush started this ridiculous war, the neighbors in my parents neighborhood put these stupid signs out on their lawn that said, "We support our President, We support the War." Idiots...I bet they call themselves God-fearing Christians, too (who probably hate strippers).

    First of all, I would never support any war. It is wrong for me to go out and kill someone if I don't agree with them and it should be wrong for the government to kill people as well. I would only agree with war if someone is attacking the soil on my homeland. Only then, is defense necessary.

    Look how much the War has cost us.

    The average American doesn't know diddly-squat about the past, present or future. And they don't care, because things are good right now (so it seems, with falling gas prices and all). I bet if everyone was starving in this country, we'd would get our act together and pick up a globe and learn where these other countries are and what the heck is really going on over there. But nobody wants to rock the boat, the ever sinking boat.

    I can't wait for Bush to get out of office.

    I can't wait to retire somewhere else.

  3. #3
    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Boston MA
    Posts
    5,670
    Thanks
    35
    Thanked 144 Times in 74 Posts

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    ^ Um, the aforementioned list Melonie provided didn't happen overnight--and certainly not because of GWB. You have to look back to the beginning--really to the Nixon Administration, maybe even JFK/LBJ.

    These problems will also not go away magically because GWB leaves office. GWB is but a spoke in the wheel here.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

  4. #4
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    trying to avoid as much political opinion in the econo-politics of 'empires', or at least 'present day' political opinion, I will make this response ... "be careful what you wish for" !

    Every American is enjoying a standard of living today which absolutely could not have happened without America having exercised Ancient Rome-like 'Empirical' powers of both a military and economic nature over its neighbors for the past 150-odd years at least, and over most of the world for the past 70 years.

    Should there be a major change in national policy, such that America is perceived as no longer being able or willing to exercise 'Empirical' powers, then we will indeed wind up competing head-on with the rest of the world in short order. This will translate into a massive reduction in the standard of living of most Americans, to the point of being equal to the standard of living of most South Americans.

    I totally agree with you about needing to retire somewhere outside of the USA though for lots of reasons !!!

    You have to look back to the beginning--really to the Nixon Administration, maybe even JFK/LBJ
    actually, try FDR ... who not only instituted the concept of 'entitlement programs' but who also took a very active role in precipitating the development of WW2 (if the truth were declassified - another 40 years I suppose) so that America could emerge as the only remaining western 'Empirical' power. FDR's arguable example was then followed by Truman in Korea and by LBJ in Vietnam.



    or you can go back to America's first 'Empire' war , to 'take over' Spain's 'Empire' in the 1898 Spanish-American war. However, arguably, in that case it was the media which promoted the war and the President McKinley who was against it !

    or you can go all the way back to James Polk as the first president to use military power to 'improve' the position of the USA .....
    Last edited by Melonie; 10-17-2006 at 11:05 AM.

  5. #5
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    295
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    Hmmm... I wasn't purely blaming Bush for the state of America today. That would be ridiculous. I do want him out of office though.

    I think you missed the point of my post. The average American does not see the comparison of Ancient Rome today and views our country with optimistic rose colored glasses.

    The original post spoke of overextending the military and the overspending of money. I was using a modern day example.

    I suppose I was not clear.

    And I still don't like war and I am still planning to retire elsewhere.

  6. #6
    God/dess
    Joined
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,352
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    Isnt a lot of this change due to the amount of baby boomers coming of age ( or just a population explosion ) thus putting a strain on existing resources ( ones we don't have ) . I see cities growing out to the boonies and even though there is still vast amounts of space available to develope how do we provide for all ? I know this is just one piece here .

    I remember when the city paid for improvements ( street lights , sidewalks , sewer , etc ) now the burden of cost is thrown on the people who live in those areas . And you really have two choices - pay or move !
    I do feel like I am taxed to death as well everybody has got a hand out .
    I to am looking to retire abroad Panama perhaps my money just wont go far enough ( with rising health care costs and property taxes ) here to have a good retirement . If inflation keeps up like it is I may have to keep working forever ! It does resemble Rome .

  7. #7
    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,493
    Thanks
    120
    Thanked 50 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    Quote Originally Posted by mblank
    Hmmm... I wasn't purely blaming Bush for the state of America today. That would be ridiculous. I do want him out of office though.

    I think you missed the point of my post. The average American does not see the comparison of Ancient Rome today and views our country with optimistic rose colored glasses.

    The original post spoke of overextending the military and the overspending of money. I was using a modern day example.

    I suppose I was not clear.

    And I still don't like war and I am still planning to retire elsewhere.
    I am glad you cleared that up.

    I do also remember a democratic congress doing their best to spend us into the poor house too though.

  8. #8
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    ahhh ... 'bread and circuses' !!! - or today's equivalent i.e. welfare checks and cable TV !

    trying to stay on the economic side of the issue, IMHO of the two US presidents that did the most serious and lasting damage to the US economy, one came from each party. FDR of course instituted the concept of 'entitlement programs' and the companion concept of socially justifiable 'wealth transfer' from one group of Americans to another group of Americans via taxation. Richard Nixon of course threw out the last linkage between the US dollar and something of 'real value' i.e. gold, thus making the US currency subject to manipulation / inflation / debasement and making possible today's deluge of debt (backed by nothing other than a gov't promise which essentially cannot be kept).

  9. #9
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: Dr. Weiss on USA vs. ancient Rome

    I've been saying this for at least ten years. I'm glad someone agrees with me.

    We are like Rome in a lot of ways, including the disgusting gluttony and bloodlust. We will fall the way Rome did, too. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Similar Threads

  1. Ancient clubs/reviews section
    By cyberstripper in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-01-2012, 03:58 PM
  2. Ancient Proverb Updated yet again !!!
    By Melonie in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-19-2011, 03:57 AM
  3. Ancient clubs/reviews Section
    By majordon in forum Industry Insight
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 09-09-2010, 11:12 AM
  4. The Fall of Rome ... history repeats itself !
    By Melonie in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-14-2007, 07:26 PM
  5. Ancient Mysteries revealed?
    By Madcap in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-27-2004, 08:43 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •