You Can’t Build An Empire on the Framework of a Republic

Freedom, representation, majority rule with minority protection. These are the things that embody a republic. Subjection, bloat, dictatorship, and pure majority rule. These things embody an empire. It may seem kind of one-sided (especially in the way I phrased it), but when you look at the societal structures, it’s pretty real.

I know Glenn Beck has been comparing us to the Roman Republic/Empire recently, and it is something I have been thinking about this as well, without reading anything else, for the past few weeks now. His points yesterday were on, as usual. He pointed out the parallels between key events in both Roman and American history; including the land grabs made by both (in 1900 and the 1950s in America’s case), a gradual seizure of freedom, and the breads and circuses mentality (only in modern times; bread and circuses become food stamps and television). My mentality is as follows.

Those things listed prior are the most apparent of changes between republics and empires, but the real underlying issues and difference that make those apparent changes possible lie in the framework. What do I mean by framework? Read your Constitution. That’s a framework. It outlines how the government operates and and the things it can not alter (with the help of the Bill of Rights). It’s pretty clear that the government was divided into three branches designed to possess an equal amount of power. However, this power from each branch is channeled through different aspects of governance. The Congress has the power of legislation, the president and executive branch have the power of enforcement and execution (obviously), and the judicial branch interprets legislation (it’s worth noting, however, that the Supreme Court was originally not designated the power of declaring laws unconstitutional; which led to the smartest power-grab in my opinion). It was set up like this for a reason, so no one branch can gain over another. This is simple grade-school level knowledge. Presidents can push for legislation, but ultimately it’s up to Congress to pass it or not (remember, vetoes can be over-ridden by a three-fourths vote from the Congress).

However, there has been a gradual power-shift occuring within the government in the past 90 or so years. Legislation (especially in the New Deal) has been created to create regulatory commissions within the government (FCC, FTC, FDA, etc). The power and the top staff for these regulatory commissions come from the executive branch. These new commissions then go to work creating regulations that the businesses pertaining to the commission must follow. You getting the channel here yet? Regulations and legislation are almost the same thing. Now, legislation gives regulatory commissions more power, and the commissions come up with the new rules. This is why the pundits from those commissions think they have more power than Congress, because the do! Think I’m crazy? May I refer you to the Senate Bill S. 510 (the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act), H.R. 3200 (the infamous healthcare law makes all kinds of changes to Social Security), and the Financial Reform law.

Why do I highlight this power-shift? It’s called unification, or the branches of the government converging into one. A centralized government is a major part of an empire, even if they play off like they are separated. How was the Roman government “separated”? The people got to elect their Senate, but they often played along with the Major Citizen (or president…or dictator…).

Another key part of an empire is its military. After all, you need to guard your large behemoth right? The Roman Empire’s military was brutal. Ours is too. The Roman Army was everywhere. Ours is too. Our military budget has skyrocketed during Bush’s Jr’s. term. I’m sure the Romans would have loved our concept of “nation-building. A republic’s army’s major duty is protecting the republic while an empire’s army is to occupy new or troubled land.

Subsidized food and entertainment are also key to an empire. It is well known that the Roman government built those crazy collesiums back in the day. While the entertainment industry is private today, there are government subsidies for entertainment companies to promote certain messages. Look up the fiscal connections between NBC and the government for promoting green activities. Food stamps are also key in subservancy, as food is essential for life.