Muscatine

For bondage.

The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years''

''During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. from bondage to spiritual faith;

2. from spiritual faith to great courage;

3. from courage to liberty;

4. from liberty to abundance;

5. from abundance to complacency;

6. from complacency to apathy;

7. from apathy to dependence;

8. from dependence back into bondage''

So?

I am wealthy and like bondage. Any takers, receivers? Here's my toll free number:1-800-luv-pain.

good post, ruggy

Some people are strong enough to ''hold on to the iron rod''; many of us have not, myself included.
''Words are a dime a dozen. Actions speak louder than words''...usually apply, but not always. Sometimes it is quite the opposite. I thank you for posting these words. I needed to hear them.

from a younger generation

You've obviously never taken a high school level economics course. Or if you had, you'd know that the past does nothing to predict the future. Check into it. Also..quit being such a pessimist. It does nothing for the rest of us that have a better outlook on this country.