"The budget should be balanced. Public spending should be reduced. The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered, and assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt."

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, 45 B.C.

Not long after making the prophetic proclamation above, Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman senator, was assassinated.

It's not always easy telling the hard truths. It's not always safe. It's not always profitable. But tell them we must.

They say those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I believe the U.S. is slouching toward Rome, and a Cicero is nowhere to be found.

— National debt: $10 trillion.

— U.S. federal budget: more than $3 trillion. That's 50 percent higher than it was in 2000.

— Trade deficit: $58 billion.

— No meaningful borders, with record immigration levels and no chance for assimilation.

— Total breakdown of education system.

— No common faith or unifying moral principles that bind the nation together.

— Even age-old institutions, such as marriage and parenthood, are being redefined.

— In a time of relative peace, our military forces are stationed in more than 100 foreign nations.

And now America finds itself in an election year in which there are plenty of Mark Antonys, but no Ciceros — no old and wise voices of reason, common sense and good judgment.

The power of the state is on the rise, and the power of the people is on the decline.

We have our own versions of the Colosseum, albeit they're somewhat more humane. The American people are kept distracted by bread and circuses: NASCAR, the NFL, "American Idol."

Votes are being purchased by foolish promises of free health care and nebulous pledges of "change" and "hope."

There isn't much to believe in anymore, so politicians invent new religions, such as "global warming." If only we pay our tithes in "carbon credits," the gods of climate change will be merciful to us, we are assured.

But if we do not reach deep into our pockets now and make sacrificial offerings, doom will be upon us all in the coming decades.

This was the nation that gave the world the concept of self-government — removing the shackles from the people and placing them on the government — individual rights as unalienable gifts from God.

This was the nation that welcomed and rewarded personal achievement, recognizing that it was a blessing not just to the one honored but to all.

Today the highest virtues are little more than meaningless, empty words: "tolerance," "diversity," "pluralism," "multiculturalism."

There is no right and no wrong. Up is down; black is white; left is right. It's a mixed-up, muddled-up, shook-up world — except for Jesus.

Who would have believed the greatest and longest-lasting experiment in freedom and self-government would end like this? Who would have believed a nation that raised up so many great minds of politics, science, business and philosophy could be led astray so easily? Who would have believed a nation built of sacrifice and honor would give up its birthright for a mess of pottage?

Do I sound a tad pessimistic? I believe I have every reason to play that note. Yet because I am an American, I remain hopeful our nation's better angels will prevail.

There's a remnant out there who will understand every word I write. It is in them my hope is kindled. It is in them — and the one they serve.

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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