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I'm no historian, but take note of some disturbing trends I see in our nation. Because if an average man with average knowledge of history who's not crazy about the study of history sees these, it may be time to act. It may be past time.
I'm not siding with one party or another, merely pointing out some things that are most likely already obvious to anyone who reads this. But you may or may not have seen the puzzle, for all the separate and disruptive pieces. The one thing I do remember is the reason we studied the past.
Because, if we don't learn from history, we're destined to repeat it.
So as we all consider the state or our nation, and as we approach the impending political rhetoric of the next year, take heed of where we've been, where we are, and where we're headed, especially if the road we're all traveling continues to mirror those from a different age. And please don't be naive enough to think our outcome will be different, even though our course is the same.
Roman Empire just before the fall: antagonism between the Senate and the emperor; decline in morals; political corruption and the Praetorian Guard; fast expansion of the empire; constant wars and heavy military spending; barbarian knowledge of Roman military tactics; failing economy; unemployment of the working classes (The Plebs); the "mob" and the cost of the "games;" decline in ethics and values; slave labor; natural disasters; religious divisiveness; and barbarian invasion.
Present day United States: antagonism between the Senate and the president; decline in morals; political corruption and Wall Street debacle (and cover-up); fast expansion of the democracy; constant wars and heavy military spending; terrorists' knowledge of U.S. military tactics; failing economy; unemployment of the working classes (low and middle); cost of the "games" (NBA, MLB, NFL, NCAA) and our nation's priorities (don't discount this!); decline in ethics and values; slave labor (illegal aliens); natural disasters; religious divisiveness; and economic invasion.
It's not complicated. But it does go deeper than who you simply vote for. If we want something different, we must do something different.
Joe Haulbrook
Gainesville