Outline of Roman Constitution.
Yet the great expansion of Rome and the consequent transformations worked to subvert the ancient order. Gradually, older institutions grew incapable of effectively meeting new and challenging circumstances, of performing the required civic tasks.[29] The purported sovereignty of the comitia (people's assembly) became only a fiction, which might be exploited by demagogues for their own purposes.[30] In the Senate, the old aristocratic oligarchy began to become corrupted by the enormous wealth derived from military conquest and its aftermath;[31] it no longer served well its functional purpose, it failed to meet new demands placed on Rome, and its members would selfishly seek to preserve inherited prerogatives against legitimate challenge and transition.[32] A frequently unpatriotic capitalism abused its power in politics and by irresponsible speculation. The free peasantry[33] became squeezed by the competing demands of powerful interests; accordingly its numbers began to dwindle, which eventually led to a restructuring of Army recruitment, and later resulted in disastrous consequences for the entire commonwealth.[34]
Sulla bust in Munich Glyptothek.
Moreover the annual change of consuls (the two Roman chief executives) began to adversely impact the consistent management of its armed forces, and to weaken their effectiveness, especially in the era following the Punic Wars. Eventually it led to the prolongation of military commands in the field; hence, Roman army generals became increasingly independent, and they led soldiers personally loyal to them.[35] These military leaders began to acquire the ability to rule better than the ineffective civil institutions. In short, the civil power's political capabilities were not commensurate with the actual needs of the Roman state. As Rome's strength and reach increased, the political situation developed in which an absolute command structure imposed by military leaders at the top might, in the long run, in many cases be more successful and cause less chaos and hardship to the citizenry than the corrupt and incompetent rule by the oligarchy of quarreling old families who de facto controlled the government.[36] Such was his purpose when the conservative Optimate, the noble and Roman general Sulla (138-78), seized state power by military force; yet he sought without permanent success to restore the Senate nobility to its former power.[37]
Political instability soon returned, social unrest being the disagreeable norm. The conservative renovation of the Republic's institutions was abandoned and taken apart. Eventually the decisive civil war victory of the incomparable Julius Caesar (100-44), followed by his executive mastery and public-minded reforms, appeared as the necessary and welcome step forward toward resolution of the sorry and bloody debacle at Rome. This, in the dramatic narrative of Theodore Mommsen.[38][39][40]
Julius Caesar, obverse; Victory on hand of Venus with sceptre, reverse. Denarius.
Mommsen's penultimate chapter provides an outline of the 'nation building' program begun by Caesar following his victory. Institutions were reformed, the many regions ruled by Rome became more unified in design, as if prepared for a future Empire which would endure for centuries; this, during Caesar's last five and a half years alive. His work at statecraft included the following: the slow pacification of party strife, nonetheless with republican opposition latent and episodically expressed; his assumption of the title Imperator (refusing the crown, yet continuing since 49 as dictator), with reversion of the Senate to an advisory council, and the popular comitia as a compliant legislature, although law might be made by his edicts alone; his assumption of authority over tax and treasury, over provincial governors, and over the capital; supreme jurisdiction (trial and appellate) over the continuing republican legal system, with the judex being selected among senators or equites, yet criminal courts remained corrupted by factional infighting; supreme command over the decayed Roman army, which was reorganized and which remained under civilian control; reform of government finance, of budgeting re income and expense, and of corn distribution; cultivation of civil peace in Rome by control of criminal "clubs", by new city police, and by public building projects.[41] Impossible problems: widespread slavery, disappearance of family farms, extravagance and immorality of the wealthy, dire poverty, speculation, debt; Caesar's reforms: favoring families, against absentees, restricting luxuries, debt relief (but not cancellation as demanded by populares), personal bankruptcy for unpayable debt replacing enslavement by creditors, usury laws, road building, distribution of public agricultural lands in a moderated Gracchan fashion, and new municipal law. Mommsen writes, "[W]e may well conclude that Caesar with his reforms came as near to the measure of what was possible as it was given to a statesman and a Roman to come."[42]
Curia Julia in the Forum, seat of the Imperial Senate.
Regarding the Roman provinces, former misrule and financial plundering is described, committed by Roman government agents and Roman merchants; Caesar's reforms replaced the quasi-independent Roman governors with those selected by the Imperator and closely supervised, with reduction in taxes; provincial oppression by private concerns was found more difficult to arrest. Abatement of the prior popular notion of the provinces as "country estates" to be worked or exploited for Rome's benefit. Favors granted Jews; Latin colonies continue. Cultural joining of Latins and Hellenes; "Italy was converted from the mistress of subject peoples into the mother of the renovated Italo-Hellenic nation." Census of the Mediterranean population under Rome taken; popular religion left free of additional state norms. Continuing development of the Praetor's Edict, and plans for a codification of law. Roman coinage, weights and measures reformed; creation of the Julian Calendar. "The rapidity and self-precision with which the plan was executed prove that it had been long meditated thoroughly and all its parts settled in detail", Mommsen comments. "[T]his was probably the meaning of the words which were heard to fall from him--that he had 'lived enough'."[43][44]
Theodor Mommsen 1863
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Just a Thought: Decline of Families
Just a Thought: Decline of Families: I often have wondered allowed and sometime to myself where did this country go wrong and where are we heading. I wonder how to explain ...
Decline of Families
I often have wondered aloud and sometimes to myself where this country went wrong and where we are heading. I wonder how to explain to my children and to my grandchildren how the hell we have become a country of underachievers and overspenders. How we have become overstimulated with visions of underage sexually explicit images of minor children and then to top it off those same girls in the images become pregnant at 13-20, and society will not see a problem with it. It has become glorifying to this country to hear a story about damaged children going through this. IE Jerry Springer, and most of the daytime talk show circuit. These shows draw light on the subject but exploit it at the same time, why? Money. TV shows, and movies, are all compliant in this as well. Children nowadays are exposed to all of this mess and have no explanation for why it is going on. (MONEY). I feel that it is because the parents have also become caught up in this same vicious circle. Working two jobs to afford all their new toys while forgetting the most important thing, their children. Now I know not all parents are like this because the ones that try to stay involved in their child’s lives are not only fighting the child but the societal government that in turn tells them what they can or cannot do. Also throws sexually explicit classes at them at the age of 10-14. I have seen a story the other day of children exposed to (foreplay for LGBT teens) with no parental involvement. Ask yourself this, What would you say to your child if he or she came home at 10 years old and asked you about this subject?
If we do not turn from this path we are doomed. Just, like every society in History that went down this road. I know what I will hear now is, that there is no way America will come to this and that you think like an old man. I am an old wise man who knows his History. And History has a hell of a way of repeating itself. Example: Look at the hairstyles and the clothes of today’s teens. Remind you of the 70’s? Simple but true.
If we do not distinguish that witch is immoral or evil we will become that which changes us forever. If we hide in the dark while our freedoms and morality are taken from us we then become the dark. We must raise the light of freedom to return this country to its greatness. And throw off the chains of tyranny and take back our families, our religious freedom, and the innovations that made this country great. Installation of family values is the right of the family, not the government.
Here are some facts:
1.)The U.S. has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the industrialized world – twice as high as in England or Canada, and ten times higher than Switzerland.
2.)The U.S. teen pregnancy rate dropped six percent between 2008 and 2009.
About 750,000 teens get pregnant in the United States each year. Nevada has the highest teen birth rate; 113 out of every 1,000 teens will get pregnant.
3.)About 1 in 3 women become pregnant at least once before they're 20.
4.)A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
5.)It affects education - only a third of teen mothers earn their high school diploma. And only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30.
6.)It also affects their kids - girls born to teen mothers are more likely to be teen mothers themselves. 7.)Boys born to teen moms are more likely to end up in prison.
75% of girls and over half of boys report that girls who have sex do so because their boyfriends want them to.
8.)8 in 10 girls and 6 in 10 boys say they wish they had waited until they were older to have sex.
9.)Most teens (6 in 10) and adults (3 in 4) believe that teen boys often receive the message that they are “expected to have sex.”
10.)Diapers are expensive, but it's nothing compared to the $9 billion that teen pregnancy costs the United States each year. This includes increased spending in child welfare costs and public sector health care.
If we do not turn from this path we are doomed. Just, like every society in History that went down this road. I know what I will hear now is, that there is no way America will come to this and that you think like an old man. I am an old wise man who knows his History. And History has a hell of a way of repeating itself. Example: Look at the hairstyles and the clothes of today’s teens. Remind you of the 70’s? Simple but true.
If we do not distinguish that witch is immoral or evil we will become that which changes us forever. If we hide in the dark while our freedoms and morality are taken from us we then become the dark. We must raise the light of freedom to return this country to its greatness. And throw off the chains of tyranny and take back our families, our religious freedom, and the innovations that made this country great. Installation of family values is the right of the family, not the government.
Here are some facts:
1.)The U.S. has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the industrialized world – twice as high as in England or Canada, and ten times higher than Switzerland.
2.)The U.S. teen pregnancy rate dropped six percent between 2008 and 2009.
About 750,000 teens get pregnant in the United States each year. Nevada has the highest teen birth rate; 113 out of every 1,000 teens will get pregnant.
3.)About 1 in 3 women become pregnant at least once before they're 20.
4.)A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
5.)It affects education - only a third of teen mothers earn their high school diploma. And only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30.
6.)It also affects their kids - girls born to teen mothers are more likely to be teen mothers themselves. 7.)Boys born to teen moms are more likely to end up in prison.
75% of girls and over half of boys report that girls who have sex do so because their boyfriends want them to.
8.)8 in 10 girls and 6 in 10 boys say they wish they had waited until they were older to have sex.
9.)Most teens (6 in 10) and adults (3 in 4) believe that teen boys often receive the message that they are “expected to have sex.”
10.)Diapers are expensive, but it's nothing compared to the $9 billion that teen pregnancy costs the United States each year. This includes increased spending in child welfare costs and public sector health care.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Just a Thought: Coming Change
Just a Thought: Coming Change: A friend of mine sent me a story on spending in this country, dealing with rebuilding worship centers in other countries. Seeing all the...
Coming Change
A friend of mine sent me a story on spending in this country, dealing with rebuilding worship centers in other countries. Seeing all the problems in our own country this made me sick to my stomach. How could your own country turn it's back on it's own? Easy. Conditioning What is that you say! It is where a group of people make you feel so sorry for everyone else to the point of guilt. We get use to the stories of one man fathering 10 kids by 10 different women because it becomes a TV show. We accept drunken behavior from our kids, because there are plenty of TV shows that glorify that. We wonder why our kids are so violent, well just listen to their music. All of this conditioning is feeding our children. And they are becoming narcissistic little entitlements. Oh and as for the parents. You did not think you were off the hook. You and most of this country have stood back and let it run it self into the ground. You stand back and let this same narcissistic arrogance run this country into the ground. Why? because you are afraid to speak because you will then been seen as a racist. That is a BS excuse. Stupid is stupid no matter what color it is. Arrogance is Arrogance no matter what color it is. Get it? A person that hides behind that standard of thinking is a coward. And if you think about it you were conditioned that way. You are conditioned to tow the line with no decent. And the moment you do BLAMMMM you are a racist, or a conspiracy theorist How sad, this is the point that you give up. The big push will come when they start to take action to take away the very rights that most of us had been born into. The one thing the Government fears is a well armed opponent. Ya that's right and the old guys from the 1700's knew this. They figured that it would only be a matter of time before some charismatic leader comes along and takes over and turns his people into a flock of sheep. So they left a protection in the Constitution to make sure that does not happen. This is the very thing they are trying to take away from us. This in-turn will lead to a Historical change in this country, and will divide us in ways you will not be able to comprehend Mark my word their is a fight coming, a fight to get this country back on track. Anyone with a brain stem can see if he takes the guns he then breaks your will to fight for yourself and your family. History bears this trend out. People in power in this country do not care about you they care about themselves and that's all.
Beware of false leaders. Stand up for what you believe, never back down on your beliefs.
Beware of false leaders. Stand up for what you believe, never back down on your beliefs.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Just a Thought: Fall of American Pt2
I ranted somewhat in part one of this story and should do the same here but I thought I would show you some of the changes coming down the pipe. Like this little gem
I wonder how many of you thought this could happen in this country. And when it comes to gun control they have the media frothing at the mouth about how bad it is to own a gun. The narrative of this comes from making you feel guilty about owning a gun and somehow because you do you are associated with the scum bags who kill just for the hell of it.
If this country is allowed to continue down this path, death and destruction is just around the corner. Their are people is this country that will fight to the death to keep this the United States of America. And I am one of them, a former Military Man who has stood guard over this country like most of my family has.
As you can see the Government does not care at all about you or your family, all they have cared about are themselves and the interest they serve. Do your research and you will find them to, the interest they serve.
H.J.Res. 15: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, …
…of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
…of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
Introduced:
Jan 04, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. José Serrano [D-NY15]
Status:
Referred to Committee
Jan 04, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. José Serrano [D-NY15]
Status:
Referred to Committee
I wonder how many of you thought this could happen in this country. And when it comes to gun control they have the media frothing at the mouth about how bad it is to own a gun. The narrative of this comes from making you feel guilty about owning a gun and somehow because you do you are associated with the scum bags who kill just for the hell of it.
If this country is allowed to continue down this path, death and destruction is just around the corner. Their are people is this country that will fight to the death to keep this the United States of America. And I am one of them, a former Military Man who has stood guard over this country like most of my family has.
As you can see the Government does not care at all about you or your family, all they have cared about are themselves and the interest they serve. Do your research and you will find them to, the interest they serve.
Fall of American Pt2
I ranted somewhat in part one of this story and should do the same here but I thought I would show you some of the changes coming down the pipe. Like this little gem
I wonder how many of you thought this could happen the this country. And when it comes to gun control they have the media frothing at the mouth about how bad it is to own a gun. The narrative of this comes from making you feel guilty about owning a gun and somehow because you do you are associated with the scum bags who kill just for the hell of it.
If this country is allowed to continue down this path, death and destruction is just around the corner. Their are people is this country that will fight to the death to keep this the United States of America. And I am one of them, a former Military Man who has stood guard over this country like most of my family has.
As you can see the Government does not care at all about you or your family, all they have cared about are themselves and the interest they serve. Do your research and you will find them to, the interest they serve.
H.J.Res. 15: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, …
…of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
…of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
Introduced:
Jan 04, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. José Serrano [D-NY15]
Status:
Referred to Committee
Jan 04, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. José Serrano [D-NY15]
Status:
Referred to Committee
I wonder how many of you thought this could happen the this country. And when it comes to gun control they have the media frothing at the mouth about how bad it is to own a gun. The narrative of this comes from making you feel guilty about owning a gun and somehow because you do you are associated with the scum bags who kill just for the hell of it.
If this country is allowed to continue down this path, death and destruction is just around the corner. Their are people is this country that will fight to the death to keep this the United States of America. And I am one of them, a former Military Man who has stood guard over this country like most of my family has.
As you can see the Government does not care at all about you or your family, all they have cared about are themselves and the interest they serve. Do your research and you will find them to, the interest they serve.
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