Exactly. And in the US if you're a crappy driver companies can CHOOSE to NOT insure you. Same should hold true with health insurance. People who CHOOSE poor diet, CHOOSE to NOT exercise, CHOOSE to do drugs, CHOOSE to drink to excess ... they should be either (1) not be insured (2) pay astronomical premiums. And when those who are not insured realize there is a consequence for their selfish and irresponsible behavior maybe then they'll change. And sadly, more and more are being taken care of ... thus why Democrats will ultimately rule in the US. Only problem then is who pays taxes to support all those lazy people.
I start with the fundamentals but, you're right, there is no consensus. What is true is that the fall took centuries, and during that time the empire still managed to produce some of the greatest works of knowledge and art that the (Western) world had ever seen. Scat is guilty of "apocalyptic narcissism", which definition I linked to earlier.
The public demanded "Bread and Circuses"... not unlike the parasite class of today.... demanding hand-outs, subsidies, food stamps, cell phones, etc. The Empire spent too much money on military trying to defend extremes in their perceived territory. They debased their currency to zilch... trying to pay for it all. Sound familiar??
Here's your great new healthcare package. You'll really like it. It's not for us in government, and we are exempt, but you surfs will really like it. Trust us. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/apnewsbreak-early-look-health-laws-181912365.html I like how it points out how the "help" will taper off for those with middle class incomes of 30K or more. 30K is middle class? They're joking, right?
A lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply: (Actual reply from FHA): "Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin." Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows: (Actual response): "Your letter regarding title in Case No.189156 has been received. I note you wish to have title extended further than the 206 years covered by the present application. I was unaware any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know Louisiana was purchased by the United States from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France , which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain . The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Queen Isabella. The good Queen Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus' expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume God also made the part of the world called Louisiana . God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it, and the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?" The loan was immediately approved. And some people think "Government" can manage running health care?
That FHA story reminded me of an incident of mine with the FAA's medical branch a year or so ago. At my age I have to get an EKG with my first class FAA medical exam. The results are sent directly to the FAA electronically. Ten months after my most recent medical exam I got a letter from the FAA saying that my EKG was missing. They gave me 30 days, or a total of 11 months from the exam, to send a copy of the EKG. Or they threatened to reduce my first class medical to a second class medical certificate. Here's the thing though. My certificate had already automatically reverted to a second class certificate, by their own regulations, four months before they even realized they lost my EKG and sent me this ridiculous letter. These are exactly the type of incompetent bureaucratic buffoons that will be running Obamacare. A couple of years ago the doctor I get my medical exams from told me that the previous year. Three THOUSAND doctors nation wide stopped giving FAA medical out of frustration dealing with the bureaucracy.