" BRUTUS- What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king.
CASSIUS- Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.
BRUTUS I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. (1.2.85-89)"
In the days of the Roman Empire an edict from a Caesar, being "a proclamation with the power of law" would b announced and all citizens would obey. The senate may take up the issue or as it weakened it allowed the proclamations to take effect as law. As the Ceasars' power became more authoritarian the Roman Empire began to crumble as its citizens no longer supported the edicts or authority of the central power. Now let's substitute Ceasar for Trump, let's look at our weak and sniffling Senate and House of Representatives and substitute Roman Empire for America and it seems all to familiar.
Today the authoritarian proclamations come in the form of a tweet from the pseudo- modern day Ceasar, Mr. Trump. Daily the absurdity of authoritarian decrees or thoughts spew from the official twitter account of said president and daily we scratch our head on whom shall his decree attack next. Yesterday it was the attorney general for which he appointed today it is the 2500 active and 1500 transgendered reserves in our military. Tomorrow it could be you or I attacked under the authoritarian power of presidential decree.
Enough already! The house and the senate needs to initiate the process to regain civility and world leadership. Otherwise, I fear for our history could turn to that of the ruin of the Roman Empire.
Commentary by Chris Edwards Napa
Chris Edwards Author, Mentor/Executive Coach & Political Consultant 