As the current age spirals in chaos, anecdotes of everyday life provide glimpses into the future. Even those who seem to get everything they demand are not content with the state of world. They can’t be—for that which they demand cannot truly suffice their thirst for the power to dictate a worldview of rebellion against God, a never-ending cycle of discontent leading to a paradox of wants, needs and actions. But just as power has created our milieu, so too will it continue to dominate in the future, however of a different vein. Because while ages change and avenues of power change, power itself never ceases to exist, as it sets in motion the edicts of the age.
A brief scroll through twitter over the last few weeks might have resulted in one finding a video of a Young Turks personality shrieking out a rant of incoherence, bemoaning the fact that Democratic politicians have failed the people. For context, this rant originated from the recent news regarding Roe v. Wade. Much ridicule was directed at this lady, and to a degree rightfully so. However, it was telling that her pain point was directed not toward her enemies on the right but rather toward her allies on the left. “It’s time to organize, create organizations that get women and get people what they need in this country,” she said.
We can certainly poke fun at her for this statement, as well as for the overall rant, but our pointed ridicule perhaps does more to work against us as opposed to finding a way to make it work in our favor. Because in relation to people not being provided for, even if my opinion as to why that is differs from hers, this is not a manufactured narrative in our current society. A healthy society, one that provides for or allows the provision for family and community needs, indeed does not exist, and this includes governance at all levels.
Zoomed out and viewed from a macro lens, the issue stems largely from men no longer behaving as men. And when this happens, somebody must play the role of provider, so why not government? Zoomed in and viewed through the lens of a very current issue, economic insecurity has led to many shortages, baby formula perhaps most notably. Recently I had a conversation with a mother enraged by this very fact. “They’re sending formula to the southern border while mothers in our own country suffer,” she told me, then asked, “When will those inner-city voters ever learn?”
Everyone working for The Young Turks would of course call this lady a racist, especially for that last question, but also due to her lamenting the fact that non-citizens are receiving prioritization over citizens. But at the backdrop of both the leftist rant and the anti-anti-racist sentiment expressed to me by an American mother, there lies a lurking coalition of opposites that is not yet clearly presenting itself on the surface.
Rome was already in deep decay by the time Caesar arrived. Its constitution had not been able to prevent the disorder, the abounding corruption, and the societal degeneration that permeated the Republic. Therefore, Caesar’s arrival was welcomed by a wide swath of the Roman citizenry. It is true that comparisons between Rome and America can often be tiring. However, the concept of Caesarism—the idea that America will not soon fall but will experience a revival, largely through the maneuverability of one strong man—is not something to discount. When making Rome-America comparisons, then, it is noteworthy that we have not yet had a Caesar. Perhaps a focus should be place on what such a person might look like.
Much has been written, mainly by Michael Anton of the Claremont Institute, with regard to the contrasts between Blue Caesar, who would be more aligned with the American Left, and Red Caesar, one who would closer align with the American Right. And it should be no secret to those who have read my writing which of these two I would most prefer. Admittedly, though, if an American Caesar were to ever rise to power, he would not fit firmly or neatly within the camp of either Blue or Red America, something that was also true of Julius Caesar and the factions of his day.
In harkening back to the two examples of side-by-side discontent above, it is my belief that the rise of an American Caesar is ever-increasing, and that his political shade will be purple. The American Right will be receptive because of a promise of renewed order, a focus upon the American citizenry above all others, and a greater appreciation for traditional values and virtues. The American Left’s receptivity will stem from a promise of economic security, and a clamping down upon the greed and corruption of our corporate overlords. Order, safety and security—things that the men of our society have largely failed in providing—will be driving forces in the rise of this potential Caesar.
When this rise might happen remains to be seen. Unfortunately, more decay, disorder, and degeneration will undoubtedly occur, and at a hastening pace. Clearly, some people are already fed up; though not yet enough, as complacency and comfortability still reign. But the signs are there. What then can we do in the meantime? First, bring order, safety and security to your own life and household. Second, seek out and discover ways to bend and mold the will and character of the impending American Caesar. He will certainly be his own man—that much is inevitable—but his influences will remain prominent within his subconscious mind.