In this election season, there's a lot of talk about the United States going into decline. Well on the show today, we discuss- what if that's what's happening? And not just the loud noises coming from this particular political cycle. But what if there's something big going on here, something historic. A turning point that forces the United States to choose one of two paths: That of the British, who gave up their empire and preserved their democracy, or that of the Romans- who didn't.

On the show today, Ryan spoke with John, who introduces us to a book called Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic. Author Chalmers Johnson was a former CIA consultant, and in the 80's favored a strong military buildup against the Soviet Union. But now, he warns that American democracy is deeply threatened by its foreign interventions and extensive military footprint, including 800 foreign bases & military installations worldwide. The Romans overreached, and their Republic went from a democracy to a dictatorship. Could it happen to the American Republic?