Whether for Obama or McCain: Read this quote from 1987 and tell me if it is relevant?

Question

“The America of my time line is a laboratory example of what can happen to democracies, what has eventually happened to all perfect democracies throughout all histories. A perfect democracy, a “warm body” democracy in which every adult may vote and all votes count equally, has no internal feedback for self-correction…. Once a state extends the franchise to every warm body, be he producer or parasite, 
that day marks the beginning of the end of the state. For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in its weakened condition the state succumbs to an invader — the barbarians enter Rome.” 
-- Robert Heinlein 1987 (in his science fiction novel “To Sail Beyond the Sunset”)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

An old idea expressed differently.  In the last phase of a civilization the workers essentially rule before that civilization is destroyed.  Nothing shocking about that.
But I do agree with the statement and this is the end of America.  Vote for either guy and you will see the same result.   I say goodbye and good riddance..time to get back to an arrangement that is better suited to our nature.  "Strength in diversity" is one of the biggest lies ever pushed.   People love to accept this without being able to offer an explanation when pressed.

Thalia · Answer

Exactly the opposite occurred with the fall of Rome.
The plebs had strength at the height of the Roman Empire, around the time of Julius Caesar.
But hundreds of years later in the century of its demise, power had bled into the hands of just a few powerful oligarchs who controlled most of the farmland and businesses. This corrupt elite atop an increasingly impovished population was the ultimate downfall of Rome. There were no circuses for the plebs in the 5th century and many people went hungry.

So, no, the quote is not relevant.

For foolish democracies who choose demagogues over men of substance you could look perhaps at the downfall of ancient Athens. That is the story of the death of a democracy.

Shadow Knight · Answer

Interesting thought. 

However the voters are not the ones who are pulling the strings when it comes to "bread and circuses". Those who maneuver government spending are large companies and corporations who send expensive lobbyist to create bills that few normal people would approve. 

So to blame the people for the misdeeds of the few is not accurate.

Anonymous · Answer

Barbarians didn't destroy Rome...Christianity did.  Well...not exactly "destroy" it...transformed it more like it.  Not many people realize that the Roman Empire still exists...those in power in Rome at the time just decided to take a different form of power...they changed from "state" power to "religious" power.  And they have been dominate since.

Anonymous · Answer

It is always relevant. It is why the founders of America did not support universal suffrage, based on the myriad examples provided in history.

Anonymous · Answer

Libs have always known this and continue to act on it.

 · Answer

science fiction novel

as you say

Anonymous · Answer

1,000% correct.

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Whether for Obama or McCain: Read this quote from 1987 and tell me if it is relevant?

8 Answers