An interview with a Roman Citizen who talks like he was living in the year of our lord 2013:

I : How do you feel about the Roman Empire?

RC: It's the best empire in the world.

I: Sorry, let me re-phrase the question. Do you feel that the Roman
Empire is living up to its ideals as the major world power?

RC: Absolutely, the Empire is stronger than ever.

I: Why do you say that?

RC: Look at how I live! This is a blessing from God!

I: God? Don't you mean Gods?

RC: There's this new thing: Christianity. Pretty hip. One God, he loves
me, and he's obviously blessed me.

I: So you're a monotheist?

RC: Ehh, every once in a while I'll pray to the sun. I can get away with
that because if God were planning to give me some divine
punishment I'd just tell him he misunderstood who I was praying
to. See, Christianity focuses on the concept that
God's son came to earth to save people from wrong-doing. Son,
sun. Get it? Haha.

I: Back to the state of Rome, what is it you feel that makes Rome so
great?

RC: Its ideals.

I: So you feel like it lives up to its ideals?

RC: As far as I'm concerned, yes.

I: How?

RC: How? Well, let's see. Rome gives people freedom from their
disease and ignorance.

I: How?

RC: People are barbarians. Until Rome came along and showed
them a better way to live people were killing each other over their
barbaric differences in whatever they believed in --- rocks or
wood or sand or mud or ,haha, whatever.

I: So you think the beliefs and social structuring of Rome benefit
people more than harm them?

RC: Harm them? Harm them? What are you talking about? Look at all
I have! Sure, I'm not the richest Roman to walk the earth, but all
of this is possible because of Rome!

I: This is a very nice home.

RC: Thank you. There are many people in many countries that are
much worse off than me. The reason I'm well is because God, or
the Gods depending on who you're talking to, has or have
blessed me by allowing me to be a part of this Empire.

I: You don't feel like Rome has spread itself a little thin?

RC: We need to spread the principles that have allowed Rome to
flourish to as many places as possible! The Roman way is the
best way. Haha. I'm living proof of that.

I: You don't feel like the Roman Empire is going anywhere?

RC: Oh, it's going places! The Roman way will be the world's way.

I: You don't think other countries deserve to find their own way?

RC: Rome found its own way and has stood the test of time.

I: Time isn't over yet. The world is still here.

RC: The world will end before Rome falls. Like I was saying, Rome
has struggled to find the best possible way to structure
civilization for the good of everyone --- so why should other
countries struggle to find what Rome already has? Why do
small immature people need to figure things out on their own
when Rome can just give them the answer?

I: Like cheating on a test?

RC: Rome is in danger because of the ignorance of countries that
don't follow the roman form of democracy. If we don't go in and
change their minds about the way they live --- we might as well
just --- give up the world.

I: Rome has overthrown civilization after civilization. I'm sure each of
those civilizations thought their way of life was permanent. Do you
really think that Rome is indestructible?

RC: Rome is the biggest Empire to ever cover the earth. There's a
reason why we're so successful. Why I'm able to sit here and talk
to you in peace.

I: Why is that?

RC: Rome is the greatest Empire in the world. I'm fortunate to have
been born and raised as part of it. There are things that the
people in charge of this country do that I don't even want to know.

I: Like what?

RC: Like whatever. I don't need to know the total price of my freedom.
If the Roman authorities have ever deceived me I am confident it
was for my own good. It is obvious to me that this Empire does
things that I would be incapable of doing for myself. So I don't
need to know, I'm just reaping the benefits of their sacrifice.

I: So you admit that the Roman Empire doesn't live up to its ideals?

RC: No, I'm saying that ideals are fine ---but rules have to be broken
for freedom.

I: You keep using words like democracy and freedom. Do you really
think these words best describe the Roman way of life?

RC: It describes my experience. I feel I would know being born and
raised, and thankfully so. I'm a Roman citizen, yes, but it isn't like
someone walked up to me and handed me my life, I've worked
hard for it. I'm pretty confident that I represent the majority.

I: You believe the majority of Romans are free to make decisions for
themselves and are considered when the government makes
decisions on behalf of the people?

RC: Absolutely, yes.

I: How did you come to this understanding?

RC: I'm here, aren't I? I've made a good life for myself, haven't I? This
wouldn't be possible if Rome weren't applying its ideals.
Rome is strong and well managed and puts me first.

I: Why do you think your fiscal comfort reflects the integrity and
policies of Rome on the whole?

RC: Would it be possible for me to have if Rome didn't have as well?

I: What if Rome is wasting its wealth on you? Instead of using it to
improve itself?

RC: You can't improve what can't be improved.

I: Rome is perfect?

RC: Trying to put words in my mouth? Haha. Of course not! Things
can always be better but the core values of the Roman life are for
keeps.

I: And those are the values that your comfort represent?

RC: Would you say that I don't? I don't just spend my wealth on
myself, if I did I tell you I'd have a much bigger house than this
and slaves to boot. This empire allows me to help others
financially.

I: What you're saying is even though you believe in hard work to earn
the fiscal comforts available to the Roman people, you think that it is
helpful to others to give them financial gain they didn't earn?

RC: I would've loved help when I was struggling.

I: But you didn't get it?

RC: No.

I: Wouldn't you say that your struggle allowed you to be the person
you are now?

RC: I'm no philosopher. All I know is that what I have is mine to share
if I want. And according to Jesus it's very important to give.