Rome or Weimar?

I have read the writings of some of those who were present at the fall of the Weimar Republic. The German economy had never really recoved from the Great War and was in shambles. The nation was strangled by a treaty which halted hostilities, but did not end the war. Worldwide, Germany alone was blamed for The Great War. Germans were split in all directions by political extremists. Out of the chaos following the war and the deprivation of the Great Depression, emerged an inspiring young leader full of soaring rhetoric and great plans for a reborn nation. Out of the dark and fog one night in March of 1933, a New Germany was born.

I have also read of the fall of Rome. Inflation, invasion, decay of citizenship and multitude of other contributors brought about a slow collapse that actually took several centuries to complete. Roman culture survived in bits and pieces throughout the West. Roman settlements became the towns that now populate Europe. From the Fall of Rome rose the world we know today. When the barbarians arrived at the gates of the last Roman palace, the last Ceasar, Romulus Augustus simply walked away.

In college a number of instructors pointed out to me and others, the startling similarities between the United States and it's relative state, and that of Rome during it's decline and fall. The similarites were shocking to young, relatively unread minds. I, like many, was enamoured with the comparison of the United States to Rome. Both reigned suppreme on the earth. No military power could challenge either. The economies of both utterly dominated every other economic system the encountered. Both enjoyed a prosperity never before imagined, much less achieved. In the end, both engaged in unwise military adventures, poor public policy, and economic mismanagement. Both, we all solemly concluded, would crumble in similar manner.

Today, I realized that we were wrong. We engage in self flattery and dillusions of grandeur when we compare our selves to the mighty Rome. Rome's influence has lasted 2000 years. Roman influence in education, military, and commerce is what dragged the world kicking and screaming out of the Bronze Age and started it toward the Information Age. Rome civilized the world. No, we are not Rome.

We are the Weimar Republic. We are quietly and meekly allowing our Congress to pass laws giving sweeping new powers to a president who will use them. We are about to create a 'National Civilian Security Force', and mandatory youth service. We are nationalizing businesses and banks. We are offering tax free status to the press in exchange for it's freedom. We are handing our individual responsibility for our health care over to the national government. We are taxing the engines of production, and subsidizing corrupt social organizations. We are ignoring the constitution and forgetting it's protections.

On Feburary 28 1933, Adolph Hitler, declaring a crisis following the Reichstag fire, asked the Reichstag of the Weirmar Republic of Germany to suspend many Constitutional protections. On March 23, the Enabling Act authorized the Cabinet to pass legistation without the approval of the Reichstag. The coup was done. The Weimar Republic died without a whimper. The echo of the vote had not yet died in the chambers when the brown shirts, Hitler's civilian security force, came. In the dark of night the first of their victims vanished. Some went quitely. Others ran away. Most died filthy, hungry, alone and cold, behind barbed wire.

No, we are not Rome. We are Wiemar. We did not elect Romulus Augustus. No, we elected a man who tells us he needs special powers and tools to handle the "crisis". Think you are a patriot? They will come for you first. What will you do when they come for you?

Remember, work will make you free.