The United States is an empire

[Extra Stout]

The United States is an empire.

I do not mean this in the sense of a global economic empire, or in terms of a global superpower with client states. I propose that the area making up the 50 states is an empire. The United States is not a nation-state, that is, it is not organized around the principle of the self-determination of a particular ethnic group or a particular culture. The vision for the United States is that it be organized around a set of political principles that disparate people share, such as the rule of law, democracy, and liberty. However, I believe that for the elites who run the country, these principles are just a convenient lie, an illusion, a fleeting dream to occupy the masses while they, the elites, the oligarchical rulers, run amok.

Historically, an empire is a far-flung, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual state with highly centralized authority, run by a single authoritarian ruler, or by a small political class. In terms of modern-day America, this model seems to fit more than any other. The idea that the people run the government is quaint. If we actually ran the government, we would be throwing both the financiers and those who help themselves to our taxes under the au es of "bailing them out" into prison, or, were we not so "civilized," just stringing them up in the gallows or shooting them in the back of the head.

No, instead we are a cowed and coerced people, content with the bread and circuses that in just a few years' time will have gone from sacrosanct en lement to fading memory. We are the subjects of our imperial masters.

Discuss.

[RandomGuy]

Et tu, Brutus?


Some ring of truth, but mostly exaggeration. Gotta get back to work, tho' so I will stop there.

I would ask, though, what would you propose to improve the situation?

[DarkReign]

Some ring of truth, but mostly exaggeration. Gotta get back to work, tho' so I will stop there.

I wholeheartedly disagree. Vehemently. Whether it is an accurate portrayal of present-day America is debateable. But ES surely has the (near-)future nailed to a tee.

I would ask, though, what would you propose to improve the situation?

Death. Lots of it. Those who hold power do not submit willingly.

[clambake]

time for our Bastille?

[MannyIsGod]

The standard of living is far too high in this country for any type of violent revolution.

[SouthernFried]

Thou doth protest too much...

We've got exactly what we've allowed to happen.

Founders knew it would happen, and anyone with eyes could...and can see it happening right now.

We've had our chances to change things, but most people want more of the same, and more...and more.

I'm sure there were people in Rome who said..." y'know, this vomitorium thing...mebbe we're going a little too far here?"

but the majority just said..." Nah, quit listening to Limbaugh and eat up!"

and so it goes...

[DarkReign]

The standard of living is far too high in this country for any type of violent revolution.

Damn good point. But our living standard cannot stay at current levels with a fall of our currency.

[Bartleby]

but the majority just said..." Nah, quit listening to Limbaugh and eat up!"

and so it goes...

If that fat windbag is our Cassandra then we're even more ed than I thought.

[MannyIsGod]

Damn good point. But our living standard cannot stay at current levels with a fall of our currency.

I think its overblown. The people of this country still have a lot of material wealth.

I agree with the premise of what ES is saying - kinda. I think the people here are happy though, and the happiness leads to apathy. Is it really that we aren't in control or we simply don't give a what happens? We could take the reins quite easily but most people don't feel the need to because they're generally satisfied with life.

[Blake]

The United States is an empire.

I do not mean this in the sense of a global economic empire, or in terms of a global superpower with client states. I propose that the area making up the 50 states is an empire. The United States is not a nation-state, that is, it is not organized around the principle of the self-determination of a particular ethnic group or a particular culture. The vision for the United States is that it be organized around a set of political principles that disparate people share, such as the rule of law, democracy, and liberty. However, I believe that for the elites who run the country, these principles are just a convenient lie, an illusion, a fleeting dream to occupy the masses while they, the elites, the oligarchical rulers, run amok.

Historically, an empire is a far-flung, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual state with highly centralized authority, run by a single authoritarian ruler, or by a small political class. In terms of modern-day America, this model seems to fit more than any other. The idea that the people run the government is quaint. If we actually ran the government, we would be throwing both the financiers and those who help themselves to our taxes under the au es of "bailing them out" into prison, or, were we not so "civilized," just stringing them up in the gallows or shooting them in the back of the head.

No, instead we are a cowed and coerced people, content with the bread and circuses that in just a few years' time will have gone from sacrosanct en lement to fading memory. We are the subjects of our imperial masters.

Discuss.

just curious, did you vote in this last election?

[Blake]

but the majority just said..." Nah, quit listening to Limbaugh and eat up!"

eh?

[clambake]

let's see what happens when unemployment balloons to 15%.

[Bartleby]

No worries, cheap booze and cable TV will keep people in line for a while.

[MannyIsGod]

let's see what happens when unemployment balloons to 15%.

The 15% that are out of work will and moan.

You honestly think another 6% unemployment would be enough to get people in this country thinking revolution? Yeah effing right.

[TDMVPDPOY]

The 15% that are out of work will and moan.

You honestly think another 6% unemployment would be enough to get people in this country thinking revolution? Yeah effing right.

so what is the % unemployment now? double it and you get the real figure of unemployment....there are people out there thats not on welfare and looking for work which hasnt been counted yet

[FreeMason]

I am just glad we rebounded so quickly from the American Revolution after Carter's term.

[Winehole23]

I am just glad we rebounded so quickly from the American Revolution after Carter's term.

Do you mean the Bicentennial? Is this a freedom of '76 joke?

[lefty]

I have one thing to say about the U.S :

Damn, it's huge !!!!

[Winehole23]

The United States is an empire.

I do not mean this in the sense of a global economic empire, or in terms of a global superpower with client states. I propose that the area making up the 50 states is an empire. The United States is not a nation-state, that is, it is not organized around the principle of the self-determination of a particular ethnic group or a particular culture. The vision for the United States is that it be organized around a set of political principles that disparate people share, such as the rule of law, democracy, and liberty. However, I believe that for the elites who run the country, these principles are just a convenient lie, an illusion, a fleeting dream to occupy the masses while they, the elites, the oligarchical rulers, run amok.

Culture is the ideological superstructure of power. True. To a degree.

I do not think power eliminates the culture it seeks to dominate. Take as evidence your own homily below about moral sentiments relating to patriotic violence:

If we actually ran the government, we would be throwing both the financiers and those who help themselves to our taxes under the au es of "bailing them out" into prison, or, were we not so "civilized," just stringing them up in the gallows or shooting them in the back of the head.

Historically, an empire is a far-flung, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual state with highly centralized authority, run by a single authoritarian ruler, or by a small political class.

We fit the description. For at least the last sixty years or so.

How far back would you take it, ES?

[Winehole23]

I agree with the premise of what ES is saying - kinda. I think the people here are happy though, and the happiness leads to apathy. Is it really that we aren't in control or we simply don't give a what happens? We could take the reins quite easily but most people don't feel the need to because they're generally satisfied with life.

That's very clearly elaborated from the OP. It emphasizes ES's point about venality, but introduces the theme of hedonism. Fat and happy much?

Thanks for saying something actually germane, MIG. You'd be surprised how uncommon that is around here.

(Disclosure: I am a prime offender in this category.)

[Winehole23]

time for our Bastille?

you first

[clambake]

there are those who could very well become desperate.

i think a dramatic increase in crime will resemble a sign of revolt.

[Winehole23]

there are those who could very well become desperate.

i think a dramatic increase in crime will resemble a sign of revolt.

Bold. A sign of revolt will have been resembled, then. Can you tell me where it all leads?

Got immiseration?

[clambake]

Got immiseration?

i've had to layoff 32 people in the last 11 weeks, so i've seen it.

[RandomGuy]

I'm sure there were people in Rome who said..." y'know, this vomitorium thing...mebbe we're going a little too far here?"

I saw something on the history channel where they actually set this straight. A vomitorium is not a place where you go to throw up after partying to excess. That is actually an urban legend.

Because I am an internet know it all, however, I dig a bit of digging to find a source to back this up.

Rather a vomitorium was a passageway in an amphitheater or theater that opened into a tier of seats from below or behind. The vomitoria of the Colosseum in Rome were so well designed that it's said the immense venue, which seated at least 50,000, could fill in 15 minutes. (There were 80 entrances at ground level, 76 for ordinary spectators and 4 for the imperial family.) The vomitoria deposited mobs of people into their seats and afterward disgorged them with equal abruptness into the streets--whence, presumably, the name.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...n-ancient-rome