DISQUS

Tim · 2 years ago

The biggest difference is how the economic systems differ. second is morals don't have anything to do with anything. decline of moral values measured on what yardstick is what I'd like to know. third, our military isn't over extended, because we can always pull back. even though the two wars cost a lot, they still only amount to 3-5% of GDP. This is far different than the roman empire. our economy has a far greater absorption capacity. heck, wwi and wwii we were rationing. we aren't even anywheres near that.

over simplification? Indeed. wrong? Indeed.

Kevin · 2 years ago

I think we're in trouble.

Now I don't really buy some of the "moral virtue" stuff out there, but I *do* believe there is no such thing as a free lunch. We've pinned our economic growth on deficit spending (both nationally and as individuals). Worse still, it seemed like a free lunch because of easy, cheap credit.

Credit bubbles never last and the piper has to be paid. We have many years of growth that will be paid for with many years of debt payments.

Randy Peterman · 2 years ago

I don't want to be a pessimist myself but I do want to point out that the non-publishing of important financial information such as the M3 by the Federal Reserve Board means that we've got even greater government involvement in the stock market with almost no public notification of exactly what they're doing. It is disheartening to say the least.

plonkee · 2 years ago

The American empire is nothing like the Roman empire. Mostly because there is more elsewhere.

Modern Worker · 2 years ago

Sorry, can't agree with you here buddy. I appreciate you taking the time to write this, however America is nowhere near falling apart.

Cheers, Modern Worker