I overheard a brief discussion where the US Government and the Roman Empire were being compared and how distrubing similarities there were.  Do you think the US is walking in the same footsteps as the Roman Empire?  Is it headed to the same end?
136818
There are way too many comparisons to even get started.  The economic circumstances as they relate to foreign trade and relations are nearly identical.  The "military advantage" over the conquered is identical.  The transformation of republic into totalitarian rule is identical.  To think that just because we repeat history but we throw more money and we have more technology so the outcome will be different is just ignorance and arrogance mixed...which the Romans had in spades just like us.
186584
If history is ancient enough it would be possible to be objective if you could sort out the facts. But modern history? Not likely because no one wants to portray them selves in a bad light. I would guess the American version of history would come closest to it because it is now politically correct to condemn America and portray it in the worst possible way so any failures would most definitely be pointed out.
448181
No its not the same thing at all...as a matter of fact those who think this way should try living under a tyrant.\nBush is not America and America is not Bush...Now if only I could convince the Republicans....
408038
None of it matches, 43. That's why it's falling apart rapidly. Republican officials, after 10 years or more of daily talking points, began to function according to the rules of logic they had been perpetrating on the masses.\n\nPerhaps we can build a new transcontinental railroad, high speed this time, and employ all those Chinese guys. Golden spike to be driven 1/2 way to San Francisco.
201460
Present America is like pre WWII Germany!\nYou just see they want any others to prosper. Because of their ongoing fookish decisions, whole world is suffering (e.g. hike in petrol price to $72/barrell!!! Is it not fact?)\n\nAmericans are enjoying their lavish life at the cost of world.\n\nThose who think otherwise, should re-assess their veiws & may modify their comments.
81158
There are some who believe that we are indeed a colonial empire.\n\nHowever we (the US) are not National Socialists, we are a Federal Republic, with all that implies about checks and balances between levels and branches of government. WE the people of the US are the US government.\n\nTake a look at the book Empire (see link) whose thesis is that YOUR "we" the Empire is in fact not the US alone, but all the industrialized nations, and multinational organizations and corporations. \n\nMaybe so. But don't you think trolling with the acronym for National Socialism is a bit extreme if you are actually looking for a thoughtful answer?
351987
yeah i generally agree with you, \n\ni think bush corolates with this. people assume the government is full of idiots and is incompodent. but what if that was opposite.\nin order to instate new world order, eventually america must fall. but ya'll don't want that, right? ya'll fight like hell to keep america together. \nso how would one get america to give up it's soverenty.\nthat right there is a long answer.\nbut i'd say if new world order really was happening american citizens right behind the muslims exteremists would be the top hurdles to overcome.\nif your not blind then you should notice america is decaying, slowly but surley. \nso really i think we are being destroyed from within without barley even knowing it
357944
Quite possible since thay both head up tyrannus administrations.. one being government, the other monotheistic religion. Not much difference there.
183936
I really hate being pessimistic about our country, but I think we're on the way out.  Every major nation in the world has had their rise and fall.  I think it's now, unfortunately, our turn to bite the dust.  Just look at history.  The Roman Empire, the British Empire, on and on.  Yep, we're on the way down.
568416
Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong here - but I think one of the major differences is that the Iraqi people ARE indeed willing to change their way of life, adopting democracy, whereas the Vietnamese actually wanted to keep their communist government in tact so there was no will on their part to change. That's why we lost then. I mean, going back to the basics, in order for things to change, the will must come from both parties, otherwise it'll just be communist and dictatorship all over again. If we come in Iraq forcing our democratic ways on them, that wouldn't make us any different from Hitler. I think the Iraqis are actually willing to adjust.
224251
The Nazi government had an aim to try and better Germany and expand its borders for "living space". The policies and trends are completely different, so a direct comparison doesnt really work, but i see your point.\nThe current US gov is not, im my opinion making policies that greatly benefit the country, rather business and making rich people richer. The Nazi's, although very much misguided and twisted, did have grand plans to greatly improve Germany, which in some ways they did achieve (they achieved a lot of infrastructure improvements for instance).\nIt does have a nice ring to it though ;)
444568
Jefferson spent a lot of time in Paris, loved France and felt they should be courted as our closest ally.\n\nHamilton felt that we should align ourselves with Great Britian.  I think he felt their values were more in line with what he saw as our future, with a stronger centralized government than what Jefferson envisioned.\n\nThey sparred about this, quite a bit.\n\nAre we doing the groundwork for your social studies report, or what?
552176
Erg...where to start. Politics in this country have always been a joke.  Look at how long we kept Chretien on power...and then Martin and now Harper. I don't know that any Canadian really takes it all too seriously.  It just gets more & more ridiculous every year.  So in answer to your question, no it cannot be compared to the US government whatsoever.  In the US, the government actually does things, for better or worse.  Here, all they do is tend to make noise.  No one really gives a rats *** anymore.
184038
America is currently facing many problems, however a drastic decline in it's power is doubtful.  According to most rankings that take into account all aspects of a nation, The usa is by far the most powerful, and is more powerful than the second and third most powerful countries combined.  However, if our country continues on its current trend yes there will be problems.  Our currency is depreciating, and the gap between rich and poor is growing under the current administration, and there is also talk of starting our third war in this regime.  The only reason why i think that America won't decline though is because the Republicans will have nobody else to blame after this term, and once they are voted out these problems will be addressed.  The republicans control everything now and have lost their scapegoat.  The only people they have to blame our themselves.
496238
You are absolutely right but unfortunately I don't see it changing anytime soon. History has shown us time and again that as the gap between the haves and the have nots widens, empires crumble. America will ultimately complete its cycle as the dominant world empire and some other empire will rise up to take its place. If our "corporate leaders" were not so focused on short term profit maybe the process can be slowed down somewhat. But in our present economic climate, where worldwide corporations have no allegiance to particular nations, I don't see that happening anytime soon
677019
You are correct in your analysis and I agree with everything you say above. It is a shame and a terrible mistake what the USA are doing around the globe, but especially in the Middle East.\n\nThe reason for their unsubstantiated belief of superiority can be found in their religious doctrines and in the massive economical, political and military power they have accumulated.\nIn fact they are one of the worst nations on the planet and their bloated empire will crumble and fall as all empires have before. The decline has already started, and if you want to understand what is going to happen to the USA, read about the end of the Roman Empire. The parallels are staggering.
292386
Very much. While I'm no expert in Roman history, from what I remember from high school, Rome was taken down by a combination of complacent and out of touch citizens, corrupt and incompetant politicians, and a hodgepodge of smaller enemy groups that attacked them from all sides.\n\nIf that doesn't sounds familiar to Americans, we're just not paying attention at all.