Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

GAO Warns of Decline & Fall .... of America

US problems are the same that destroyed Roman Empire, chief declares

Share

(Newser) – America's dire state resembles that of the Rome just before its fall, the head of the General Accountability Office has warned in a grim new report. "Declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military, and fiscal irresponsibility," could lead to disaster here at home just as it did in Rome, declared the country's top inspector David Walker.

America desperately needs to modernize its infrastructure, and to  quickly revamp such systems as Social Security and health care, he noted. "I'm trying to sound an alarm," Walker said. "It's time to learn from history and take steps to ensure American Republic is the first to stand the test of time."

A view of the ancient Colosseum's interior, during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession, celebrated by the Pope Benedict XVI, in white at bottom center behind woman holding cross, on Good Friday in Rome, Friday, April 6, 2007. The evening Via Crucis procession at the ancient Colosseum...
A view of the ancient Colosseum's interior, during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession, celebrated by the Pope Benedict XVI, in white at bottom center behind woman holding cross, ...   (Associated Press)
This undated photo provided during a press conference by the Italian Culture Ministry in Rome shows a 5th century B.C. statue of the goddess Aphrodite.
This undated photo provided during a press conference by the Italian Culture Ministry in Rome shows a 5th century B.C. statue of the goddess Aphrodite.   (Associated Press)
The ancient Colosseum is lit up for the occasion of the day for the abolition of the death penalty, in Rome, in this Nov. 30, 2005 file photo. The Colosseum was selected as one of the new seven wonders of the world in a global poll announced Saturday, July 7,...
The ancient Colosseum is lit up for the occasion of the day for the abolition of the death penalty, in Rome, in this Nov. 30, 2005 file photo. The Colosseum was selected as one of the new seven wonders...   (Associated Press)
The ancient Parthenon temple, in the Acropolis hill, is seen before a storm in this photo from files taken on March 13, 2006. For centuries, often millennia, Europe's monuments have withstood earthquakes, fire and plundering. Now cultural treasures ranging from the Colosseum to Westminster Abbey could face new threats from...
The ancient Parthenon temple, in the Acropolis hill, is seen before a storm in this photo from files taken on March 13, 2006. For centuries, often millennia, Europe's monuments have withstood earthquakes,...   (Associated Press)
A view of the ancient Colosseum is seen during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession, celebrated by the Pope Benedict XVI on Good Friday in Rome, Friday, April 6, 2007. The evening Via Crucis procession at the ancient Colosseum amphitheater is a Rome tradition that draws a...
A view of the ancient Colosseum is seen during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession, celebrated by the Pope Benedict XVI on Good Friday in Rome, Friday, April 6, 2007. The evening Via...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

10 Stories

mortgage meltdown

 Sleazy Middlemen 
 Stiff Homeowners 
 Trying to Refi 

Foot-dragging 'mortgage servicers' step into role of fox in henhouse

Oct 4, 09 3:31 PM CDT
(Newser) - The federal mortgage modification program is mired in trouble, with just 12% of the 3 million eligible loans in the process of modification, the "servicers" that helped create the problem tasked with helping to untangle it, and the Treasury Department falling down on the oversight job. In one... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iowa • North Carolina • mortgage • Treasury Department • GAO • Government Accountability Office • refinanced mortgages • TARP • mortgage modification • CitiFinancial • Home Affordable Modification Program

(AP) - Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise. The trustees who oversee Social Security are projecting there won't be a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the next 2 years. That hasn't happened since automatic increases... More »

MORE ABOUT:
health care • elderly • Medicare • Social Security

(Newser) - Presidents from FDR to Nixon to Clinton tried and failed to reform the health care system, but with Barack Obama closer than ever before, the left is already blasting him for compromising too much. That's a shame, writes Clinton strategist Paul Begala, who regrets "setting the bar at 100%"... More »

MORE ABOUT:
health care • Barack Obama • Clinton administration • health care reform • Social Security • Paul Begala • public option

10 Stories


Full report available here
Government Accountability Office


US  •  Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
health care • Rome • America • modernization • morals • David Walker • GAO • Government Accountability Office • Social Security

from our news partners