The Stimulus Package has created an interval of discussions of a curious nature. Would the Roman Empire follow a script of this kind?

“Is this the way it is going to be?’
I asked the Professor, referring to the push, pull and twist performance offered to us by the Democrat and Republican Parties under the shade of the White House’s new management.
The Professor shook his head sadly and replied:
“Allow me to quote a great philosopher who said, ‘If humans had been made responsible for the creation of man, they would still be arguing about whether that protein or that bacteria were the right one to get the process started!’
All I could say was:
“A good thing someone else did the job, as imperfect as the results were. Now, give me your view on this disgusting situation dealing with the approval of the Stimulus Package.”
The Professor smiled and continued:
“I think they all failed to appreciate the seriousness of the situation. On the one hand, the Package has been used to include all kind of non-essential items in a clear demonstration of the erotic attraction pork has on anyone in our government. In this respect, the President and his staff have failed to remove those items that were certain to give the opposition an orgasm of rebuttals, criticism and plain ole bitching. In my opinion, I begin to detect an atmosphere in Washington reminiscent of that at the Roman Senate around the time the Visigoths and the Germanic tribes descended on the empire! The two main factions in the Roman Senate could roughly be compared to our Republican and Democrats, or if you wish, Conservatives and Liberals.”
I said: “That is an interesting observation, Prof. Kindly expand.”
“Happy to, sir. But before, I must have a cappuccino properly escorted by those delightful apple pie biscuits that only the Belgians can make!”
Moments later the Professor expanded, as requested:
“The Roman Senate created lobbyism, pork projects, bribery, blackmail and all sort of irregularly convincing techniques that acted against the moral and ethical nature of the Senate. Their corruption reached levels that made it easier for the conquered empires, kingdoms and provinces, to set their own course and eventually led to the collapse of the empire in the 15th century. The effectiveness of the Senate as a means of control and supervision of a large empire, had gradually turned into an oratory contest where the interests of the people were totally ignored.”
“How about opposition?’
“If one of the parties enjoyed a majority position, the whole thing turned into a dictatorial exercise, something not unusual in our own coop. So, protection against imposed rulings developed into a new industry.
“What industry?”
‘The most common was the poisoning industry. Exotic compounds from Northern Africa became popular and could be administered easily. Then you had the deadly use of sharp instruments from Gallia, Iberia and Greece and a variety of accidents that included from deadly snake bites to drowning, chariot accidents and waves of “self inflicted” hangings; the use of poisonous snakes imported from Egypt, whose bites could hardly be detected and could kill a person in seconds, was a favorite..”
Then I asked:
“How do you explain the current differences among our Republicans and our Democrats concerning the Stimulus Package?”
The Professor smiled and answered:
“It is a sad picture. It seems the package was put together on the spur of the moment and did not benefit from the expertise of President Obama’s top economic experts, whether they had tax payments pending or not. As Jack Welch, former GE’s CEO put it: ’It is like having a man suffering from a heart attack and instead of getting him on an ambulance the people around him worry about getting him new shoes!”
We laughed and then the Professor added:
“You do not have to be an economics genius to establish the immediate needs that should be addressed: cure for mortgage ills, embark on a balanced tax cut program and prop up the banks, all this done within strict codes and regulations. I just hope that the two factions get together and give our sick economy a push. Bickering is not taking us anywhere and sometime some form of collaboration must be developed!”
I suddenly had a bright idea. I asked:
“Do you know the type of poisonous snakes the Romans used?”