How about similar perks for all?

Government workers and their unions, reminds one of the Roman Praetorian Guards. Emperors had a cadre of these guards: They were fiercely loyal, (read votes) as long as they were happy. What made them happy was to be fed, housed and paid better than the average Roman.

For that, they protected him and, one way or another, made sure that he remained emperor. By adding more guards, the emperor was adding more support from them and their relatives. However, there came a point in Roman history when the country's resources could not maintain the ever increasing legions of guards and their perks, while also providing for the citizenry.

The citizens were working to support the guards who were living much better than the average citizen. What to do: Scale back the Praetorian guards and their sponsors, or to try to ignore the protests of the over- burdened, overtaxed, over-regulated common citizen? One answer would be to have the similar perks for all, be they a common citizen, guard, or tribune (Congress).

This would meet stiff resistance. The emperor would need to challenge his devoted supporters. History teaches us that. At some point, a decision had to be made.

Dushan Lipensky

Wheaton