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

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

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:42 AM CDT

(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)
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