Been reading and listening to podcasts about Rome. I realized drawing parallels with the U.S. is nothing new, but damn--the last few years have really underlined the similarities with an exclamation mark. 

To be succinct: every chance Rome had to rein in their wealthy and powerful was subverted. In the end, the population fell for authoritarian rule. Frankly, a demagogue from either the Left or the Right was inevitable. 

The Right is the more likely candidate right now; more desperate, more cynical, more cowardly. 

And in the end, the followers won't get what they want.