Learn from the fall of Rome, US warned

As reported in the following Financial Times article the Comptroller General of the United States warns us that we need to learn lessons from history:

Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr Walker warned there were “striking similarities” between America’s current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government”.

“Sound familiar?” Mr Walker said. “In my view, it’s time to learn from history and take steps to ensure the American Republic is the first to stand the test of time.”

I guess it's time to get back to reading St. Augustine's City of God.