Thursday, February 26, 2009

Is History Repeating Itself?

Read this blurb on the fall of the Soviet Union:

The Soviet Union's collapse into independent nations began early in 1985. After years of Soviet military buildup at the expense of domestic development, economic growth was at a standstill. Failed attempts at reform, a stagnant economy, and war in Afghanistan led to a general feeling of discontent, especially in the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe. Greater political and social freedoms, instituted by the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, created an atmosphere of open criticism of the Moscow regime. The dramatic drop of the price of oil in 1985 and 1986, and consequent lack of foreign exchange reserves in following years to purchase grain profoundly influenced actions of the Soviet leadership.

Several Soviet Socialist Republics began resisting central control, and increasing democratization led to a weakening of the central government. The USSR's trade gap progressively emptied the coffers of the union, leading to eventual bankruptcy. The Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991 when Boris Yeltsin seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup that had attempted to topple reform-minded Gorbachev.

The policies that ripped the Soviet Union apart were those tending away from socialist central rule, and allowing private capitalist ventures.

The policies that are ripping the United States apart are those tending toward socialist central rule, disallowing freedom and private capitalist ventures.

The United States' move toward "change" is a move toward what the Soviet Union was locked into for nearly a century... the only thing missing is the use of military force to ensure obedience and loyalty to the central government... just wait - Obama's "citizen corps" will start that - and if not, any states or regions attempting to cross the new socialist government be warned, there are now measures in place to take down any "citizen unrest". Refer to my previous Post "How a Republic becomes an Empire"

Imagine the wikipedia post being read in 20 years:
The United States' collapse into independent nations began early in 2010. After years of US military buildup at the expense of domestic development, economic growth was at a standstill. Failed attempts at reform ("change"), a stagnant economy, and war in Afghanistan led to a general feeling of discontent, especially in the California and Texas Republics and New England States. Reduced political and social freedoms, instituted by the last US leader, George W. Bush, created an atmosphere of fear and increased criticism of the Federal Government. The dramatic drop of the price of oil in 2009, and consequent lack of foreign exchange reserves in following years to purchase Carbon Credits profoundly influenced actions of the US leadership.

Several US States began resisting Federal control, and increasing libertarianism led to a weakening of the central government. The US' trade gap and continued "stimulus" handouts, combined with excessive foreign loans progressively emptied the coffers of the union, leading to eventual bankruptcy. The United States finally collapsed in 2012 when Joe Biden seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup by Hillary Clinton that had attempted to topple reform-minded Barack Obama.

A little artistic freedom - but the parallels are eerily similar... am I the only one noticing this? Any comments - any discussion?

2 comments:

  1. And thats why we cling to guns and religion.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I absolutely believe there's a parallel. It happens to all empires. Why should the US be exempt?

    Death to the American empire. Long live the American republics.

    And what Jeremy said above.

    ReplyDelete