The Fall of America By: Faith Thomas

There are 10 theories to Rome’s fall. Barbarian invasions, Decline in Moral Values, Environmental and Public Health problems, Excessive Military spending, Inferior Technology, Inflation, Political Corruption, Rise in Christianity, Unemployment, and Urban Decay. Many people argue different reasons why Rome fell. And some argue if America has the same problems. The United States will eventually succumb to the same fate as the Roman Empire.

The first problem that America has that can relate to Rome’s 10 theories is Environmental and Public health problems. There are many sicknesses in the U.S.A like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and the common cold/illness. The top 3 leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease. America has many different cures but cannot stop the spread of disease and sickness. The environment isn’t any better. 14 out of the 15 warmest years on record have all happened in the 21^st century. According to Online Creighton EDU, all the glaciers in Glacier National Park are expected to disappear. All of this is due to the global warming. In Rome, they had rampant disease issues and burdens because of alcohol addictions.

Another problem America has is the Decline in Moral Values. In a survey from Gallup.com, 72% of Americans say the morals are going down. Only 22% of the people say they are getting better. In the years 2006, 2007, and 2008, every 4 out of 5 people say the morals are declining. According to Laura Ingraham from Washington Times, The morals are lowering because of things like crop tops, tight clothes, sagging, tattoos, piercings, plastic surgeries, and the people always having newest technology in their face. Ingraham says the teens and adults are losing proper hand-shakes and greetings. Jeffery Kunner is slowly sliding into a cultural abyss. The American taxes are being used for things like abortions. Nearly 50 unborn babies are killed each year. America also has a high rate pf under-age prostitution. In Rome, there were over 32,000 prostitutes and leader spent useful money on lavish parties. Also, barbarians fought bloody deaths in the Coliseum for entertainment.

The 3^rd problem that America struggles with is Unemployment. Most Americans are out of work. They are either not working, on a lower pay roll, or are settling for a part time job. It has been like this since 2007. America has also had the lowest number of working people for the last 35 years. According to Numbers USA, immigrants coming to the US are being hired faster than the actual citizens. Studies show that America has a 9% unemployment rate. Experts say that number is more like 15%. In Rome, they had wealthy farmers called “latafudia”. They used slaves for their farm work. Other farmers had to pay for people to help out with the farm. This way, the wealthy farmers could underbid the other farmers because they didn’t have to pay people. Regular farmers had to raise their prices to get back the money they spent on farm help.

Others may argue that none of these problems effect the United States. Many people may think that unemployment isn’t that bad of a problem. For the past two years, the rates haven’t been too terrible. Going back to moral values, 22% percent of the country’s people say they are getting better. Still, America is falling. Unemployment rates are increasing because of people settling for less or are just out of work. The moral values are not going to get any better if people are continuing to have their phones in their face 24/7. It’s good that America can continue to produce new technology and new products, but that won’t help anything. America’s kids are growing up with foul language and violent video games. Nothing will change. America is and eventually will fall like the Roman Empire.

America relates to many of the 10 theories to Rome’s fall. The United States will eventually succumb to the same fate as the Roman Empire. Inferior technology, unemployment, environmental and public health problems and decline in moral values are only 4 out of 10 theories that made Rome fall. And will make America fall too. If the US continues to struggle with these problems, the country will crumble beneath the people’s feet. It will only go farther downhill. Will America ever regain its strength?

Sources:

http://ww.gallup.com/poll/183467/majority-say-moral-values-getting-worse.aspx