The Vanishing Gentleman

The End of the American Empire is Imminent

by Dana Raye Barnaby

All my fears about the vanishing gentleman crystallized as I watched the spectacle of Trump’s inauguration day unfold. The defining moment for me came when Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde took the pulpit and earnestly pleaded, “Have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” The response from Trump and his loyal sidekick, JD Vance, was chilling, a blatant display of indifference that was written across their faces. In that instant, it became painfully clear to me that the gentleman had indeed vanished. The essential values of empathy, kindness, and grace were utterly absent in these men, replaced by a callous disregard for those they were meant to serve.

I was also overwhelmed by the amalgamation of the world’s richest individuals who had gathered to take in the proceedings. This blatant display of excessive wealth on that stage, reinforcing their support for these immoral men, raises the questions: Why have these Dr. Evil sideshow conspirators assembled en masse? Why now? And why behind Trump?

If the answers aren't immediately obvious to you, then perhaps we need to look back at the pages of history for an introspective reference. The great philosopher George Santayana famously said it best,  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Will History Repeat Itself: A Lesson in Privatization and Self-Interest

When Rome, the first great western empire began to crumble, it wasn’t foreign invaders who dealt the first blow, it was the internal greed, egotism, and corruption of its own elite class. The parallels now drawn between the downfall of ancient Rome and today’s America are unsettlingly clear. In both cases, a small group of powerful individuals have amassed enormous wealth and influence while ignoring their responsibility to the broader society that supports them.

These modern oligarchs,  Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all display attitudes that contradict the core tenets of a gentleman: integrity, kindness, and honesty.  These oligarchs have conveyed that private citizens share no fiscal responsibility to the general public, but as men who now seek political appointments and lucrative government contracts, these acquired public funds, paid for by the people, must therefore be used for the support of the people.

The Collapse of the American Empire is Imminent

This universal principle emphasizes collective progress and a shared purpose. This resonates with ideas of team cohesion, collaboration, and selflessness. When individuals align their efforts for the benefit of the group, it can lead to tremendous growth and success. This established philosophy is even taught to the students in my sister’s grade one class, Put your focus on the group, put your thoughts on the group, do what's best for the group.

Sadly, this does not seem to be the mindset of the GOP, President Trump, or the oligarchs. Their recent actions reveal a stark contrast to these principles as they prioritize self-interest over collective progress.  In this divergence from integrity and duty they have not only forsaken the virtues of a true gentleman but have also set a dangerous precedent for the collapse of the ideals upon which any great civilization depends.

The New Aristocracy

In ancient Rome, the aristocracy prioritized personal luxury and political power creating a society where corruption and inequality flourished. The oligarchs began the privatization of resources and services that had once been public goods. Aqueducts, grain supplies, and even military operations were increasingly controlled by the elite, who used their positions to enrich themselves while neglecting the needs of the populace.

Ungentlemanly behavior became the norm among Rome’s power brokers. Their greed and disregard for societal well-being eroded public trust and weakened the very foundations of their civilization. This self-serving attitude among the elite played a central role in the Empire’s eventual collapse.

Today, we see similar patterns among the tech titans and corporate leaders who dominate the American economy. While their contributions to innovation are often lauded, their behavior reveals a troubling disregard for public welfare and ethical responsibility.

Elon Musk alone has secured over 54 billion dollars in public funding just for Space X. This seems like a hefty price tag and a risky investment as the first four Space X rockets failed to even leave the Earth’s atmosphere before exploding. NASA had this issue figured out some fifty-five years ago.

Like the Roman aristocrats who secured their power by currying favor with the emperors, today’s billionaires have aligned themselves behind Donald Trump. Through donations and lobbying they have secured political appointments and favorable policies, all while turning a blind eye to the harm caused by these alliances.

The relationship between these elites and the Trump administration mirrors the patronage systems of ancient Rome. Wealthy individuals used their resources to gain influence, perpetuated a cycle of self-interest and corruption. This dynamic erodes democratic values and undermines the public’s faith in its leaders.

President Biden even felt the need to address this concern to a national audience in his farewell address on January 15, 2025, “There is an oligarchy that’s funding a theocracy, empowered by technology”.

The Erosion of Gentlemanly Traits

The attitudes of these modern elites starkly contrast with the principles of a proper gentleman. In ancient Rome or modern America, a gentleman recognizes his responsibility to the community and strives to use his power for the greater good. Instead, we see a group of self-serving individuals who lack empathy for even their own employees.

Their behavior fosters economic inequality, weakens public institutions, and fuels societal divisions. By ignoring calls for oversight and accountability, they undermine the very systems that enable their success.

Yes, I’m calling you out Jeff Bezos, who just announced plans to close all seven of Amazon’s warehouses in Quebec, eliminating almost 2000 jobs after employees attempted to unionize for better wages and concerns about worker safety and job security.  This, coming after a 19% increase in sales to $27.5 billion in the third quarter of 2024 alone.

Not to be outdone… In the same week that Tesla announced record layoffs of 14,000 employees in April 2024, Elon Musk once again asked the company board to approve a $56 billion pay package for himself. Thankfully, a lawyer with integrity rejected the “exorbitant” payout.

Oh, and just one more… In January 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced significant changes to the company’s content moderation policies, discontinuing third-party fact-checking in favor of a “Community Notes” system, likely leading to increased misinformation and hate speech on Meta’s platforms. The move has also been seen as a strategic alignment with the Trump administration, potentially to avoid regulatory scrutiny and to gain favor with conservative users.

Mark, perhaps you should take a look at the state of Elon’s X after he changed his polices to include a looser content moderation policy for more free speech, now down a whopping 65% in value.

Sorry to pick on these Billionaires, but they do make for easy targets.

Learning from History

If we are to avoid the fate of Rome, we must demand more from those in power. This starts with holding modern elites accountable and ensuring that public funds are used for the public good. Stricter regulations, greater transparency, and a renewed emphasis on ethical leadership are essential to preserving the values of our society.

History teaches us that unchecked, greed and corruption lead to collapse but it also shows us that change is possible when individuals stand up for integrity and fairness. By embracing the traits of a true gentleman: respect, kindness, and honesty, we can once again build a society that will Put your focus on the group, put your thoughts on the group, do what's best for the group.

Thank you Sis, for continuing to uphold these fundamental truths. We need more dedicated teachers like you…

The parallels between Rome’s fall and America’s trajectory are a stark reminder of what’s at stake. It is up to us to demand better, to recognize the value of gentlemanly leadership, and to ensure that our society is guided by principles that uplift everyone, not just the privileged few.

Thank you for taking the time to join me on this journey of reflection and storytelling. If these words have resonated, you might enjoy my second series of essays called, The Art of Living. 

Subscribe today to continue our conversation. Together, we can explore the timeless art of living thoughtfully and graciously. Your support means the world to me.

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