From Wiki:
"Bread and circuses" (or bread and games) (from Latin: panem et circenses) is a metaphor for handouts and petty amusements that politicians use to gain popular support, instead of gaining it through sound public policy.
To many across the political spectrum, left and right, it connotes the triviality and frivolity that defined the Roman Empire prior to its decline and that may contribute to the decline of modern society.
Roman politicians devised a plan in 140 B.C. to win the votes of the poor; By giving out cheap food and entertainment, politicians decided that this policy of "bread and circuses" would be the most effective way to rise to power.
The Annona (grain dole) was begun under the instigation of the popularis politician Gaius Sempronius Gracchus in 123 BC; it remained an object of political contention until it was taken under the control of the Roman emperors.
Now Consider:
More Americans Turn to Food Stamps for Help (VOANews) - "The economic downturn and ongoing under-employment in the U.S. have resulted in a big increase in the number of Americans using food stamps. Once considered a social safety net for only the lowest income Americans, the use of federally funded food stamps has grown dramatically over the last two years. New government data shows one in eight Americans now rely on food stamps to make ends meet." Please note: I'm not saying people shouldn't be helped! In fact, my wife and I have had to personally and privately help out more people than ever. I can't even tell you how many people we know who are balanced precariously on the cliff of financial ruin. The point though is dependency on the government and the bribing of the voters.
That above news article is literally about food (bread), but also consider the other recent variations - expansion of medicare, social-security payouts (an impressive $250 is coming to each retiree), mortgage bailouts, cash-for-clunkers, and other forms of hand-outs. Currently almost 47% of all american do not pay federal income taxes. This is expected to rise even further in the coming years. In Detroit a while ago there were thousands of people who showed up in the center of town when a rumor spread that President Obama was handing out "free money". Thousands! And of course there was the soundbite from the Obama supporter who voted for him because he would get her "Free Gas"! The flooding of New Orleans after Katrina was exasperated because of the over dependency of the citizens on the government - they relied on the government for food, transportation, housing, and ultimately did not know how to help themselves - many just waited for help to arrive. And then think of all the public interest groups trying to get their pet project funded - holding out their hands - begging. I write that as I reflect on the many special interest groups I support and with full understanding I can no longer support them - there is no money for them - the treasury is empty - it's all just borrowed money from the future - borrowed from Foreigners and borrowed from our children and grand-children through higher taxes.
The government hasn't exactly got to the circuses part (except during some of their news clips and debates), but who knows how they'll want to distract us, pacify us, or rile us. There seems to be an awful lot of outrageous rhetoric directed toward the supposedly small and irrelevant Tea Parties. Maybe that's an attempt. At times I feel the self-righteous outrage at Global Warming, and Sugar, and Salt are other attempts of distractions. I don't know.
Just some things I've been thinking about ...
"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money." ~ Anonymous
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