There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
Of course, Augustus could only spend what was raised. There’s a difference from today, but I’ll leave tax matters for later.
Think too what some Roman emperors — say, Nero or Caligula — could do if they had today’s technology. You won’t have to tretch your imaginations much. There’s a story about White House dossiers. Could it be false or inflated? Sure. But given the hubris of the current Administration there’s not a lot I wouldn’t believe. Makes one almost sentimental for the Nixon administration — itself not opposed to an enemies list — and we have more than three more years of this.
White House keeps dossiers on more than 10,000 ‘political enemies’ (Doug Thompson, Capitol Hill Blue)
Link via Jordon Cooper.
18 December 2005 at 12:55 pm
This is silly. Any saavy politician uses databases to keep track of what opponents say. This is the whole war-room thing and it just gets bigger with bloggers.
You want to find out about lists, just donate five bucks to a politician. Uses a special middle initial so you can make your name unique. Watch how many lists and mailings you get.
18 December 2005 at 7:56 pm
I let your comment go through Bill for the record. Don’t think this is a problem? This isn’t about mailng lists or games membership and development directors play. Your comment makes you look like an idiot.
19 December 2005 at 7:18 am
I always stand my my record Scott, idiot or not…. this notion that Bush is bringing a police state upon us is just false in my opinion.
19 December 2005 at 7:34 am
Misstating what I wrote doesn’t make your comments any more sensible.
19 December 2005 at 7:39 am
Maybe I did… and apologies if so, but Merry Christmas to you!