America Going the Way of Ancient Rome?

America is going the way of ancient Rome. The past decade will be remembered as the pivotal tipping point where the United States ceased to be a superpower. Like the Roman Empire in its later stages, America's imperial grandeur masked moral rot and economic decay.

The beginning of the 21st century promised continued U.S. global dominance. Our economic might seemed unrivaled; the dot-com boom had not yet gone bust. Washington was still basking in the warm glow of its victory in the Cold War. America bestrode the world like a military and economic colossus.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks changed everything. Like Rome and Imperial Britain, the United States embarked upon costly, prolonged wars in far-away countries. The result is that America remains mired in Iraq and Afghanistan. The two wars have cost more than 5,200 dead and $1 trillion with no victory or end in sight.

Read the whole article here. I would only disagree with the author's view of Sept. 11th changing everything. I think America was on this course long before 2001. But he is correct in pointing out that there is no real difference between Bush and Obama on this point. Nor has there been any difference on this point with any modern President. America is an Empire.

HT: Gene Veith