Learning from the fall of Rome

A few nights ago BC, his sister and I ate out at a local pizza restaurant. We had leftovers, and as we filled the box with our slices someone pointed out that we should take the rolls, too. We laughed as we compared ourselves with my grandma, who would not only take the rolls, but the crackers and probably the creamer as well.

My grandma grew up at a time when wasting food wasn't just irresponsible, it was not an option. I've never known that form of want, but what about the next generation, and the one after that?

Saving leftover dinner rolls might not be the height of fiscal responsibility. But re-evaluating the mindset of present-tense living with long-term forecasting is probably something I need to re-learn.

It was also one theme in a recent report by my boss , who compared America today with the decline of Rome.

According to Comptroller General David Walker, "the Roman empire lasted 1,000 years, but only about half that time as a republic. The Roman Republic fell for many reasons, but three reasons are worth remembering: declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government. Sound familiar?"

He also said:

"In many respects, our quality of life has never been better. We're living longer, we're better educated, and we're more likely to own our own homes. But as many of you already know from your own families, we also face a range of quality-of-life concerns. These include poor public schools, gridlocked city streets, inadequate health care coverage...."

Starting next week I'll begin work for the GAO. According to Walker, my job will be in part to "take steps to ensure the American Republic is the first to stand the test of time." This means not only cutting budgets and identifying areas of government at high risk of "waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement," but addressing a long-term focus for fiscal responsibility in government spending.

It is, after all, the baby sleeping on my lap who will grow up in the America that Walker says is "in decline."

I suppose I better start with myself. Whether that means adding creamer to the box with the rolls or adopting a much more conservative family budget, I need to be thinking of Hada's children's children's lives, not just mine....