Can you see the resemblance of the falling Roman Empire to America?

Question

The Roman empire fell for many reasons: 

-A divided senate: we also have a deeply divided political parties, to the point their political bickering is sending our stock market in freefall everyday 

-A corrupt senate: the Roman Senators became increasingly corrupt and only those with backing of the increasingly powerful merchant class would be able to get in power. The few Senators that did not have any support from the powerful merchants were eventually rooted out and had no voice in Parliament. 

-Tax system: as the merchant class increasingly influenced the Senators, less and less tax were being enforced from the merchants. To hold the empire together Rome needs funds, and it increased taxes for the middle class and poor, who represented most of the population. This devastated its economy and increased hostility by different tribes to Roman rule. 

-An over extension of military: we have 120 bases and spend more than next 20 countries combined, have you noticed how military spending cut is not mentioned AT ALL by either parties? 

-A debased currency: the Romans stopped debasing their currency in silver as their debt increased and started minting more coins that has not inherent value, no difference to the Fed using the printing press whenever we can’t pay out bills. 

-Failed diplomacy with barbarians: The Romans paid out Barbarians in Britain and other areas to stop attacking Roman army, no difference to US paying off Taliban factions to stop attack on Coalition troops. But in the end, the Barbarians started attacking Rome again after they stopped paying, similar to what will happen when we stop giving “aid” to Pakistan’s ISI.

Greystoke · Accepted Answer

You mean because Obama is "fiddling" around while congress squabbles over raising the debt ceiling.

Grillparzer · Answer

You swung and missed partner.  After Julius Caesar came to power the Roman Senate had very little power and that continued under the subsequent emperors.  Civil war and the lack of a written constitution did more to bring down the Roman Empire then any of the causes you identified.  Keep something in mind too, it lasted for almost twenty-five hundred years.

Penny R · Answer

Not to mention, turning the progressive activist Jesus, who walked throughout the middle east teaching others to open their minds against the oppression of a conservative government and that knowledge is power to introduce Christianity according to the Roman Empire as to elicit fear as a means to control crowds, go to war and oppress...just the opposite of what Jesus taught, by publishing "his" works  300 years after is death.  Thus being able to use the name of a good and righteous man...Jesus...to push an evil agenda and squelch the uprisings of the Jews, the followers of Jesus and the Druids who wanted their idol worshiping government to change their archaic ways...LMAO.

Last True Paladin of Scotland · Answer

Every great Empire collapses but doesn't necessarily ends, look at UK that had biggest one spanning the globe, but still around today. It could happen, but most likely USA will split due to infighting civil wars and more. As the states are no longer united.

Anonymous · Answer

Both societies had an OBSESSION with sex and violence.  So yeah, I see the similarities.  Rome collapsed under the weight of it's own greed, corruption, and arrogance.  Same as we are doing right this second.  (our forefathers are rolling over in their graves at what we have become)

Anonymous · Answer

Failure to stop the waves of barbarians from coming in from Mexico.

Anonymous · Answer

Excessive social spending

Weak, inexperienced emperor

J M · Answer

Been hearing that rant since the fiftties. We aren't the Roman empire.

Anonymous · Answer

Your analysis is quite wrong.  According to conservatives, gay marriage brought down the Roman Empire.

Anonymous · Answer

Very good comparison

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Can you see the resemblance of the falling Roman Empire to America?

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