So what have we learned in 2,063 years ?

From Jerry Pournelle:

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero - 55 BC

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero

Everytime history is forced to repeat itself, the price goes up.