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In reply to the discussion: Holy Crap! Rachel just read part of an Opinion column in the NYT by Fusion GPS [View all]VOX
(22,976 posts)42. Like the fall of the Roman Empire...
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-reasons-why-rome-fell
"Eight Reasons Why Rome Fell"
<snip>
4. Overexpansion and military overspending
<snip>
5. Government corruption and political instability
If Romes sheer size made it difficult to govern, ineffective and inconsistent leadership only served to magnify the problem. Being the Roman emperor had always been a particularly dangerous job, but during the tumultuous second and third centuries it nearly became a death sentence. Civil war thrust the empire into chaos, and more than 20 men took the throne in the span of only 75 years, usually after the murder of their predecessor. The Praetorian Guardthe emperors personal bodyguardsassassinated and installed new sovereigns at will, and once even auctioned the spot off to the highest bidder. The political rot also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own widespread corruption and incompetence. As the situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Roman citizens lost trust in their leadership.
<snip>
"Eight Reasons Why Rome Fell"
<snip>
4. Overexpansion and military overspending
<snip>
5. Government corruption and political instability
If Romes sheer size made it difficult to govern, ineffective and inconsistent leadership only served to magnify the problem. Being the Roman emperor had always been a particularly dangerous job, but during the tumultuous second and third centuries it nearly became a death sentence. Civil war thrust the empire into chaos, and more than 20 men took the throne in the span of only 75 years, usually after the murder of their predecessor. The Praetorian Guardthe emperors personal bodyguardsassassinated and installed new sovereigns at will, and once even auctioned the spot off to the highest bidder. The political rot also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own widespread corruption and incompetence. As the situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Roman citizens lost trust in their leadership.
<snip>
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Holy Crap! Rachel just read part of an Opinion column in the NYT by Fusion GPS [View all]
blogslut
Jan 2018
OP
I would surmise that the Republican party attracts the Randians the same way light attracts moths...
Volaris
Jan 2018
#59
I just read the entire piece. What will it take to MOVE those goddamned R's in Congress?
VOX
Jan 2018
#26
Yes, they love a Punishment orientation...theologically, legislatively,
BlancheSplanchnik
Jan 2018
#67
I think the way they are attacking Mueller is a pretty good indication of what they are going
world wide wally
Jan 2018
#39
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." Samuel Johnson, April 7, 1775 (per Boswell)...
VOX
Jan 2018
#45
Cute. You packed your answer in your question: WHAT will get their attention...?
erronis
Jan 2018
#58
Well, you do make some valid points. But there's still a large majority of people that aren't
YOHABLO
Jan 2018
#37
So I wonder whether Grassley will follow through on what he promised at the town hall?
triron
Jan 2018
#40
McConnell announced no SCOTUS replacement on February 13, about an hour after Scalia confirmed dead
Justice
Jan 2018
#54