The Fall of Nations

The fall of a nation or empire often takes place over several generations. Sometimes, however, it is very sudden and takes place virtually overnight, stunning the world. Are we on the verge of witnessing our own collapse? Are we paying attention to all of the warning signs?

If you would poll Americans about the demise of their nation, most would probably react with a resounding NO as their answer.

Such a response would be no surprise. Citizens of some of the greatest empires of the past thought the same of their status also, but alas their empires and nations fell and became just part of the history books. Americans would be wise to heed lessons from those history books.

America has only been a nation for less than two and a half centuries. Yet one of the longest lasting nations-empires of the past, Rome, fell after more than 12 centuries.

Can we see any parallels between America an Rome that might lead to the collapse of America? There are strong similarities.

Massive spending: A staggering financial burden!

With many nations, financial difficulty aided in the fall of Rome. Military expenditure was by far the largest item on the budget.

Rome's military was financed directly from taxes, as there was no structure to finance it by government borrowing. Lacking sufficient tax revenue, Rome was unable to defend itself in the early fifth century when hostile armies invaded. The rampage of invading armies disturbed the economy, causing revenues to plummet at the very time they were needed most.

It was unlikely at that time there was much extra slack in the general fund to keep funding the large armies of Rome.

In recent decades America has relied on a massive debt to finance all of its expenditures. According to information on the White House web-site, the national debt is over $10 trillion and increasing at a rate of $100,000.00 per second.

Expenditures financed from the general fund, the military is allotted 30%, about $1.1 trillion. Defense spending has risen steadily since 2001, when America embarked on it's war on terror.

At the end of 2008, the costs for Iraq alone was over $580 billion. This breaks down to more than $341 million per day or costs $4,681.00 per U.S. household or $1,721.00 per U.S. citizen.

Despite funding its own wars and defense, America provides military support to guarantee the security of many other nations. And although America is suppose to be number one as the world's economic power, it provides security and protection for the number two and four powers, Japan and Germany.

'Pax Romana' - For the Peace of Rome.... Even Rome's extensive commitments became too financially burdensome. Rome over extended herself protecting all of her territory and friends. The cost of the gigantic military program was one of Rome's major headaches.

The United States financial commitments are taking just as heavy a toll as they did on Rome. Interest on the national debt eats up 19% of the U.S. general fund

The expensive bailout package which was approved to help fix and stimulate the ailing American economy, will produce a deficit of $2 trillion, more than four times higher than recent deficits have run.

THIS IS ONLY THE GENERAL FUND !! ~ This does not take into account the massive problems ahead in financing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as tens of millions of baby boomers begin to retire.

By most estimates, when all of these unfunded liabilities are factored into the mix, America's true national debt is over $50 trillion - which equals out to be roughly over a half million owed by every U.S. household !!!!

America is spending itself into national bankruptcy and demise of its nationhood. America was once the greatest creditor nation to nation around the globe, now it is the largest debtor in the world. All the lessons of history tell us that the loss of economic discipline destroys nations and people.

History will repeat, if people will not learn from it. Are we too far gone, to change the path we have chosen? We have become the most arrogant, stupid, intelligent people on the planet only time will tell if we have become smart enough to change the road we are on, or if we will become another Empire-Nation read about in history books of the future.

Something to think about.

Just one man's opinion. As always, put the wind in your hair and keep the sun to your back. Be good and stay safe. Peace, Love and prosperity to all.

Good Journeys !!!