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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DuckTapeSunroof who wrote (208790)	12/11/2001 4:39:47 PM
From: Karen Lawrence	Respond to of 769670

Great Post.

To: DuckTapeSunroof who wrote (208790)	12/11/2001 4:46:58 PM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Actually, historically, it was more a matter of decentralization that hurt Rome, as the separate portions of the Empire became somewhat competitive; the frontiers became difficult to defend, so that Rome began buying off potential invaders; taxation was privatized and given to "tax- farmers", who were supposed to extract a profit without adequate accountability to the government; and the Western court became increasingly decadent, and inattentive to government business, leaving it to the bureaucracy. Also, of course, the Romans became less willing to serve in the army, and increasingly used semi- barbarian mercenaries. This was the ultimate cause of the death of the Western Empire, when Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, took over because of non- payment of monies owed, sacking Rome and eliminating the Emperor......

To: DuckTapeSunroof who wrote (208790)	12/11/2001 5:46:10 PM
From: Srexley	Respond to of 769670

"So, yeah, it's just a "theoretical" problem I'm worried about. And if we only had good honest government at all times, than we poor citizens would never have anything to worry about...." First off, I don't view us as "we poor citizens". That said, we have lots of checks and balances. I am happy with the freedom we enjoy in America, and not worried that my government is intent on oppressing me. If it tries to, I will fight back. I am concerned that there may be people out there that want to hurt us, and if we need to fine tune to make it harder for them to do that and easier for us to catch them, I am for it. My fears are based in reality, and yours are based on mistrust of the government. Or at least it looks that way to me. "Will we follow Rome's historical example of centralization of power and corruption, decline and fall?" Good question. I view the danger from the loosening of our moral values as a nation to where anything and everthing goes, and everything is somebody else's fault. Clinton portrayed this to the T and amazingly (to me) half of America thought it was fine. I think it is good to see responsible adults going after real dangers. We are in an upswing right now, but 10% of the population believes that the gov't is enacting these rules to hurt our citizens. Certainly within their rights, but kind of a negative fatalistic view imo. See why the 2nd Ammendment is so important? Part of the reason it is there is protection from your own government. The guys that you seem to feel are "protecting" us "poor citizens" from the gov't want to take that away. That's a contadiction if I have ever seen one. Scott