Foundation for Economic Education president Lawrence Reed draws many parallels between the America in turmoil we see today and the decay of ancient Rome. Read his piece here.

The big lesson is this: the more heavily politicized a nation (or empire, or city, or any other political unit) becomes, the more its people squander energy and resources battling for government handouts and favors and the less they produce. Rome was done in by its “takings coalition” and our takings coalition has its grubby fingers around the neck of the U.S.