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Looking back in history to help guide the present into the future is something less than wanted in American society and government. Sadly, America has a poor track record of not learning from history, save maybe learning not to go to Vietnam or Afghanistan. The collapse of the Roman Empire is a case in point. There is much to be learned from the collapse that rings familiar in America today.
The collapse centered, in part, on numerous economic problems associated with serving the needs of Roman armies in a number of foreign countries. That seems familiar in that America has over 700 hundred military bases in over 80 nations and territories globally. The cost is understandable. Consider that presently the military is the largest single consumer of fuel in the United States. Woefully. Many of those providing military service have to partake of assistance programs to get by. Factor in how so many American vets are treated and a wider problem becomes evident.
Additionally, Rome's mounting political problems included fears about the widening power base of rising eastern empires. Its interesting in that presently the United States is engaged in gamesmanship with China, Japan, and North Korea. The Romans also suffered issues of corruption in government, particularly with the transition of power. Isn't that interesting? Many Roman officials simply served their personal agendas at the expense politically, socially, and economically of the public. Imagine that!
The Empire also experienced internal labor issues due to not solely to slave labor but a major issue of an influx of immigrants and other guest workers. Problems of immigration have become a major burden in America also causing labor concerns. One concern for some Americans is that several states have already loosened their child labor laws with more states to follow. That in itself is likely to cause more labor and political contention while creating social strife as well.
Roman life experienced impassioned divisions among and between political and social factions, again, not unlike America presently. The divisions produced animosities among the population and fostered unreasonable political and social demands and expectations from others in society. The Empire's collapse should remind that long term internal civil stresses that go unresolved weaken a society and may well be the surest route to a national failure.
When considering internal stress and failure in America, currently it seems reasonable to suggest a widespread lack of simple civility among the people may be a root cause of such stress. The thought here is that expecting more from others than from ourselves is a primary aspect of social stress.
America has become fractured society. Today. Some Americans tend to presume upon others a number of their own wants and expectations. More to the point, they feel the need to coerce others into subscribing to certain social and political practices, demands, disciplines and beliefs that those others view as questionable or dangerous. They do so partly by convincing legislators to enact laws, rules and protocols that serve their personal agendas.
It is important to note that it is not only poor government decisions that can draw down the quality of a nation. Certain misgivings and misplaced allegiances among the people are among the causes. It is worth considering a non-divisive, non-political perspective and response to such social concerns. Why not simply consider that the disciplines and values people subscribe to are best determined from within the individual's inner-self. They are based on individual needs, hopes, beliefs and experience. They cannot be successfully forced upon a person by society as a whole nor by a distinctive singular minded enclave with an agenda of its own.
The greater knowledge to be understood is that of the inner-self being the most paramount aspect of people's souls, thoughts, understandings, desires, and sympathies. That is what keeps them whole and in control of their own lives. It seems that is what matters most. It is not the palpable expectations of a government or authority, or document, or doctrine, or dogma, or cadre of blustery voices demanding some form of prescribed political or social obscene reading materials in elementary schools under the spoken opposition of parents who were purposefully kept unaware of the issue.
America may have come to a juncture where our wants have won out over our needs. Our means of prioritizing is lacking any regard for simple humanity and its needs. People have forgotten how to be good, patriotic citizens. Alienation is a rife among the public. Political representation is important as provided by a very often unpopular spectrum of governing choices that offer up majestic ignorance of characters such a Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Alexandria Occasio-Cortez, a veritable triumvirate of doltism who serve as little more than antagonists expressing themselves in childish tantrums. They would be outright laughable if their voices were not so seriously misinformed and unnecessarily caustic.
Consider also that most of current American social makeup is generally predicated on competition. After all, in the land of the free, the greatest delight of every man is getting the better of the other man. Ponder the accompanying language of competition, my foe, my enemy, my adversary, my nemesis, my antagonist, my rival, my opponent, and the list goes on. Such language often tends to create a negative outlook leading to further social agitation. By adding to this our often ignorant arrogance a different perspective emerges. One worthy of further consideration if we bother to look at it.
This all tends to distract people from acknowledging the true value of controlling the appetite of the inner-self and how the appetite is expressed publicly. One might question the appetite of the Roman Empire which resulted in a major collapse. Leaving others to themselves would have been the better course to follow.
It is difficult for people to conduct their own lives as they see fit if they are forced to contend with the constant expectations and demands of others. People should not have to sacrifice their own happy, contributory lives by living only to avoid or comply with the idiosyncrasies of a specific social mentality.
None of this is to suggest in any way a need to hamper free speech or thought or the desire to lead an alternative lifestyle. Although one should know that having free speech is not the same as making a final decision. This is about reinforcing the value of free, unencumbered thinking without being coerced by some power, the media, or threat of social intolerance. If people must be arbitrarily forced into some specific acceptance it is obvious they are simply not convinced. This is to reference mindful tolerance and respect. It is about allowing people to think individually and act lawfully in a free and open society. Disagreement may exist but that is where tolerance and respect matter. Resolving differences moves a society forward.
Notably, there is a difference between simple common courtesy versus an overly exploited media concept of political correctness that continuously stokes the fire of today's social dissonance. Some, including that media, need to be reminded that respect is earned, not demanded.
Is it time for a long hard look at our current national situation? Is it time to confront our divisive social posture? Is it time to address our indifference to a perilous reality by being brutally honest with ourselves? Recalling a once heard comment: "there is no better way to love ones country, no better way to strive for the fulfillment of its greatness, than to respect and entertain critical ideas and engage in the pursuit of social justice at home and abroad."
Mark Twain once said "History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme." There seems to be a need for a national attitude adjustment lest that ignored history of the Roman empire collapse will continue rhyming with current times in America. We should recognize that today is the presence of all the past. We do have the ability to learn from it, which begs the question, will we do the homework? Just a bit of food for thought.
Don Noviello previously served on Williamsport City Council and is an instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology.