The DOGE Emperor

Notice if any of this sounds common: a great country, indeed, the world’s only power, is beset by upheaval, as a corrupt political class grows more interested in enriching itself than in performing any true public service. Lastly, a new chief emerges who has a long and distinguished history in other areas, but is not a career politician. Citizens who are deeply concerned about the direction of the country put their faith in this doubtful activist and manage to secure the best location for him, but the crooked elements are extremely effective and seriously entrenched. They refuse to accept the new president and battle up strongly against his efforts to restore competence and integrity to the authorities.

I am, of course, speaking about Publius Helvius Pertinax, who was the emperor of Rome from Jan. 1, 193, to March 28, 193. In his all too simple reign at the reins of the beautiful kingdom, Pertinax tried to turn around the magnificent ship of state and bring it out of the quagmire of problem into which he had fallen. One of his contemporaries, the scholar and Roman Senator Cassius Dio, said that Pertinax was” an excellent and upright man” and a great emperor as well, who during his three-month tenure demonstrated” not just humaneness and integrity in the royal administrations, but also the most efficient management and the most cautious consideration for the common welfare”.

Writing over thirteen centuries later, Niccolò&nbsp, Machiavelli wrote in his notorious manual of power politics,” The Prince”, that Pertinax was one of three Roman emperors of his time who were “men of modest life, lovers of justice, enemies to cruelty, humane, and benignant”. This did not, however, play well in the empire of his day. The soldiers of the Roman Empire, “being accustomed to live licentiously under Commodus”, who was Pertinax’s free-spending predecessor,” could not endure the honest life to which Pertinax wished to reduce them”.

This was understandable. The thing about corruption is that it, well, corrupts. Once soldiers get accustomed to getting lavish amounts of money under the table for various favors, it is difficult to compel them to be content with their relatively meager official salary alone.

And it wasn’t just the soldiers. The Roman Emperors site notes that” Pertinax’s reign was characterized by his attempts to reverse the excesses and corruption of Commodus ‘ rule. He immediately set about reforming the administration, cutting down on the extravagance that had characterized the previous regime”. Shades of DOGE. Pertinax also” sought to restore discipline within the Praetorian Guard and the broader military, which had become increasingly unruly under Commodus. Pertinax also attempted to implement financial reforms, aiming to replenish the depleted imperial treasury through austerity measures and the sale of Commodus ‘ extravagant possessions” .&nbsp,

While anyone who was aware of the empire’s former glory welcomed these reforms, the beneficiaries of the corruption were less happy:” Pertinax’s reforms were met with resistance from multiple quarters. The Praetorian Guard, in particular, had grown accustomed to the bribes and favors they had received during Commodus ‘ reign. Pertinax’s attempts to impose discipline and reduce their influence were deeply unpopular. The Guard, which had played a key role in the assassination of Commodus, was now wary of any emperor who might threaten their privileged position” .&nbsp,

Making matters even worse was the fact that” Pertinax’s efforts to restore financial discipline alienated many in the Roman elite. His attempts to collect overdue taxes and recover state property from wealthy individuals who had benefitted under Commodus made him enemies among the Senate and the aristocracy. These powerful groups saw Pertinax as a threat to their wealth and influence and began plotting against him”.

&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Related: &nbsp, Useless Government Program to Be Eliminated, Just As It Was to Be in 2017

Yeah, you’re right, this could be a terrific movie. Cast Trump as Pertinax, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi as his enemies among the Senate and aristocracy, Old Joe Biden ( or maybe Barack Obama ) as Commodus, and Mark Milley as the angry head of the Praetorian Guard. The worst part, however, is that Pertinax did not succeed, the Praetorian Guard assassinated him on March 28, 193, and the empire descended into chaos. The imperial throne was sold off to the highest bidder, Didius Julianus, who was himself murdered on June 2, 193. &nbsp,

Of course, the effort to reform the American government may not have the same sad ending. There is no doubt, however, that those who have fattened at the public trough in the U. S. for so many decades are not giving up easily, and will continue trying to throw every possible roadblock in Trump’s path as he attempts to restore honest government. May he succeed where Pertinax failed.

As Trump’s DOGE continues to clean out the Augean stables of Washington, we’re here to give you the truth about what’s happening. Turn away from the leftist media’s hysteria and join us: Join PJ Media VIP and get full access to our incisive analysis and unfiltered truth. Don’t let them inundate you with their lies — use code FIGHT for a DOGE-worthy 60 % off your membership!

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