Rome and the U.S. have surprisingly similar histories. They were both basically backwaters until they started actively interferring with their neighbors to gain an economic advantage. In the case of Rome it was taking taxes, and the U.S. it was securing oil markets, but the point stands.

Similarly, Rome's fall came largely because of the transition from the masses owning land to becoming effectively serfs to the economically connected. Similar to what we are seeing now under neoliberalism.

Roman roads were impressive for the time, but so was the modern highway system. The reason Rome's roads lasted so long is because they didn't have semis driving down them.

I think the best measure might be Rome as a percentage of global GDP, versus the same measure for the U.S. There's no way to "adjust for inflation and technology" because modern economics didn't exist but for the past few hundred years, and the same for the massive boom in technology the past 100 years.

being vaccinated by my choice (freedom) gives me the ability to travel places i otherwise couldnt (freedom) including visiting elderly relatives (freedom) and eating at restaurants anywhere (freedom).

choosing not to be vaccinated (freedom) removes a large number of things you can legally do.

until someone rolls up to your house and forces you to take a shot in your arm you freedom hasn't been infringed upon, you have the freedom to get a vaccination or not. exercising that freedom in one way or another changes what OTHER freedoms you may be able to exercise.

that's how freedom works, it isn't a simple choice, ever. it's a door to a hallway of many more doors. the false binary of freedom and security is rarely that simple. perhaps on a topic like the Patriot Act it's fairly straight forward, because all americans were (unconstitutionally) opted into a system of illegal surveillance. Nothing about the modern vaccine mandates in the US has been unconstitutional or even on a state level illegal.

Why didn’t you just say richest then lmao
And why did it take like 8 posts for you to finally admit you were talking solely about gdp? Kinda sus my dude

This post was edited by MrSK on Oct 1 2021 11:27am

bruh you clearly are lacking comprehension

"USA has highest GDP in 2020, ranks #1 in power rankings, then just overall influence the united states has had on the entire world for decades is to be noted as well."

was what i said in a previous post

Oh I see it now lmao
Also you think power rankings and influence on the world = most correct interpretation of freedom? How does having a strong military and exploitable capitalist market have anything to correlate with that. If America went broke tomorrow you’d say China or Russia’s interpretation would be “correct”? You’re actually cracked if you think so

freedom at any cost.

nah he would blame it on the democrats or something and say america is the perfect system while sitting atop his nice little priviledge while hard working innocent people continue to suffer while working 80 hours a week still being unable to survive

this is more where i align, much rather make my own choices and live with the consequences good or bad than live under the boot of authoritarianism

Cool, so I should be free to shoot you and burn down your house?

How dare you imply Anarchy is better than Authoritarianism