PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - ‘But know this: in the last days perilous times shall come.’ - 2 Timothy 3
No. I am not saying that the end of times are here. However, I wonder if, maybe, the end of our experiment in democracy could be close. Hopefully, we are only at halftime. Heck, maybe this current malaise is just a little blip on the radar of prosperity. But, then again - things are a bit ugly right now. In fact, maybe as an outsider looks at the entirety of our society, we are too vain, covetous, proud, unthankful, and unholy. Maybe we really have lost our natural affection. Maybe, as a nation, we lie too much and break our truces. Maybe, we have falsely accused and despised those that are truly good.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of the end for this current version of democracy. There have been other similar experiments in history which failed in spectacular fashion. Were the rank & file back then really that effected by the demise of their leadership & flag? I recently contemplated the idea with a co-worker who brought up the fall of the Roman Empire. He noted that, ironically, infrastructure spending was out of control in those days.
I am no expert on the subject. However, upon further review of my history books, the Empire had apparently also debased its currency and wildly created new coins which caused inflation to skyrocket. As national debts increased heavier tax burdens were imposed. Imagine that: no blood remained in the turnips. As the middle class was crushed the wealthy, unproductive, connected class found convenient loopholes. Most local industry was saddled with crushing regulation causing much of the productivity to be outsourced to Persia which resulted in huge trade imbalances. The Romans also, reportedly, got loose with immigration or resettlement rules at the Danube river and began allowing more people into the country than they could feed or properly manage.
But, that was all such a long time ago. Luckily, history never repeats itself so why even bother learning from it? After all, we are the best ever, baby! Although we do have our own issues. Here are a few that are confounding me as I ponder whether or not we really continue to be the leader of the bloc of ‘First World’ nations.
1. As a nation we are $28 Trillion in debt and printing more cash.
2. Inflation, the hidden tax, is at a 30-year high
3. Energy independence is a relic of the last regime. Gas prices are at 7-year highs.
4. The supply chain is a disaster. Needed goods cannot get unloaded at ports or transported across the country. Shortages and delays are astronomical.
5. Grocery store shelves seem to have large gaps of emptiness on them, which is odd in a land that we were taught was the ‘breadbasket of the world.’
6. Speaking of education: school districts are cancelling AP classes while refusing to celebrate high achievers like ‘valedictorians’ because it may offend those that do not excel academically.
7. Candidates for high office, like the Governor of Virginia, boldly proclaim that “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”
8. As college tuition soars and enrollments decline, there are proposals for ‘free’ tuition - meaning plumbers, cooks, mechanics and other workers will be taxed to send someone else to college.
9. Meanwhile, endowments at many outlets of higher learning doubled during the pandemic. I’m sure they could manage if they truly wanted to provide ‘free’ education.
10. As we pay the unemployed higher benefits or burden productive workers with more taxes we endure worker shortages in many fields. ‘Help Wanted’ signs are seemingly everywhere.
11. This all unfolding as we threaten to fire good, strong, reliable workers because the are not vaccinated - even if they already had Covid and present proof of antibodies. News flash: the deadly virus can be spread by both the vaccinated and unvaccinated. If this issue is truly is about healthcare costs then have those who refuse the jab sign waivers. Anything short of this seems like a way to eliminate those that do not blindly tow a certain line or thought process.
12. We riot against and disparage law & order while calling for the defunding the police. We refuse to cooperate with investigations then wonder why homicides surge 30% in a year.
13. In our quest for racial, gender, and sexual equality and equity, we hurl racist and sexist epithets at those we deem an oppressor regardless of their feelings, personal opinions, or efforts on the matter.
14. We add toxic chemicals to our food supply and wonder why we are obese and suffering from increases in cancer, heart disease, diabetes, joint replacement & more.
15. We will soon lift travel restrictions on foreign nationals entering the country by air or designated land entry points if they show proper ID and proof of vaccination. However, illegal immigrants picked up outside of the entry points are not required to get the jab while in detention centers prior to being dispersed throughout the nation at taxpayer expense.
16. After a costly 20-year war we completely botched the exit from Afghanistan. We turned our backs on our allies and left our citizens & helpers to the mercy of a ruthless regime while handing the barbarians modern military equipment and bases.
Are we still the leader of the group of quasi-democratic, industrialized nations known as ‘The West?’ Or, Are we quickly joining the ‘Second World’ nations? These are the authoritarian utopias known as the communist-socialist bloc of the oppressed. Or could we be slipping into ‘Third World’ status with the developing up & comers or beleaguered ne’er-do-wells?
Part of me wishes that I never asked the question.
Kevin Battle barely sustains his own 2-bedroom empire. He is co-host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh’s 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: ‘Play KDKA.’ Thank you.