THE TRIQUETRA OF LIFE: Wisdom, Wealth, and Wellness

Many liberal Democrats have accused Trump of dictatorial ambitions, referencing Hitler’s fascist regime. Though I don’t believe Trump currently has any such intentions, given America’s economic dilemma of accumulating debt at the rate of $6.4 billion per day, or roughly $3 trillion a year, the threat of hyperinflation, or economic instability looms large from mismanaging its fiscal policies. 

 American democracy is threatened by a loose fiscal policy that will soon require a more stringent dictatorial form of government to survive much longer. Here’s why: Two centuries ago, a somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this profound observation: “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy”

​ Alexander Fraser Tytler: Lord Woodhouselee was a Scottish advocate, judge, writer, and historian who was a Professor of Universal History and of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the University of Edinburgh. 1747​ – 1813  Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Trump may ​be forced to re-enact ​Julius Caesar’s solution to Rome’s ​accelerating debt​ crisis and civil unrest. Here is an excerpt from a learned analysis by a Harvard historical professor, J Rufus Fears, PhD. (Bold letters are my emphasis).

“He (Julius Caesar) understood that the only solution to Rome’s problems was a dictator—a dictator for life, a king, in fact. And over the next 12 years, through the conquest of Gaul, through civil war, and by the complete manipulation of the Roman political system, he achieved that goal. As dictator for life, he solved the debt problem. He not only balanced the budget but, in fact, the surplus of the Roman budget would be in the trillions of dollars in today’s currency as a result of Caesar’s strong action.

“One example: the private debt problem was solved totally by requiring all debtors to pay back the principal but not the interest. It didn’t satisfy everybody fully but it got the job done. He filled the Roman treasury by (economic?) wars of conquest. He made the economy so sound that the welfare rolls were cut in half. And he established an equitable tax system by which (all) the inhabitants of the Roman Empire worked only two days,(Vs 183 days in America) a year to pay their taxes. The frontiers were safe (two centuries later). A serious immigration problem was solved by the bold stroke of turning the provincials into Roman citizens, but making them pay taxes.”

https://ocpathink.org/post/the-debt-crisis-in-ancient-rome-lessons-for-today

Adapted from Chat GPT response:

Martin Armstrong, a financial and geopolitical analyst, has made several bold claims about the future of the United States, one of which is that the 2024 election could be America’s “last election.” Armstrong’s perspective stems from a combination of economic, political, and social trends that he believes are converging in a way that could fundamentally alter the U.S. system as we know it. Here’s an outline of the key reasons he has given for this dire prediction:

1. Economic Crisis and Debt

Armstrong has long warned that the U.S. is facing an unsustainable debt trajectory. He believes that the enormous national debt and the growing fiscal deficits will eventually lead to a financial collapse or a drastic restructuring of the U.S. economy. This could manifest in hyperinflation, a collapse of the dollar, or a sovereign default. Such a crisis could undermine the legitimacy of the U.S. government and its political system, potentially leading to social unrest and political instability.

2. Declining Confidence in Institutions

Armstrong argues that there is a growing lack of trust in U.S. institutions, including the electoral system, the judicial system, and the Federal Reserve. This erosion of trust could lead to widespread dissatisfaction with the current political structure, leading to demands for significant changes, including the potential dissolution or restructuring of the government.

3. Political Polarization and Civil Unrest

Armstrong has also highlighted the increasing political polarization in the U.S. and the potential for civil unrest. He believes that the divide between different political factions is so deep that it could lead to a breakdown in the democratic process, making the 2024 election the last one under the current system.

4. Global Instability

On a broader scale, Armstrong has argued that the geopolitical situation—especially the rise of China and other competing powers—could lead to the U.S. losing its position as the global economic and military leader. This could further exacerbate internal instability, pushing the U.S. toward a form of political or economic collapse.

5. Shift Toward Authoritarianism

Another concern Armstrong raises is the potential for a shift toward authoritarianism in the U.S. He sees the centralization of power and increased surveillance as signs that the country may move away from democratic principles. If this shift accelerates, the 2024 election might be the last in which voters can freely choose their leaders.

6. Historical Precedents and Cycles

Armstrong often refers to historical cycles—particularly his “Economic Confidence Model,” which predicts that major systemic shifts in political and economic systems happen roughly every 80 to 100 years. His ​unusually accurate predictions come from his AI computer ‘Socrates’ with its extraordinary data base analyzing historical economic cycles to predict future trends. He argues that the U.S. is at a crucial crossroads, with the current cycle of governance and economic policy coming to an end. This could usher in a new era of governance, one that may not resemble the current democratic system.

In summary, Armstrong’s view that the 2024 U.S. election might be the “last election” is based on his analysis of an impending economic crisis, political instability, and the potential for a shift away from a democracy to a dictatorship.  But before we throw up our hands in horror and dismay at Trump becoming our first benevolent dictator, keep in mind the Roman Republic mutated into a vast empire that expanded and propagated unique genius through its Pax Romana for more than 200 years. I hear a resonating ring in the phrase, Pax Americana.