Salt for Everyone!

One of the factors that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire was the ever-growing gap between the rich or the elite and the poor. Those in power and with wealth did everything they could to maintain their station in life. This included enacting policies and decrees that made it difficult for those without means to rise out of their lowly economic status. This gap between the haves and the have-nots ultimately weakened Rome's economy greatly. However, one act those in power did take that was much more equality based was to ensure that persons from all stations in life had equal access to salt. This still-new delicacy was recognized as something that everyone enjoyed to help add taste to their meals. Consequently, those in power maintained price controls on all salt so that rich and poor alike could easily afford this treat.

While I can't say I regret not having lived in the times of ancient Rome, I do applaud them for their salt policy. In fact, one thing that makes me grateful that I live in our current era and in the imperfect USA is our nation's policy toward communication. Much as it was with salt in ancient Rome, our government's views that communication is for everyone as it is is equally healthy and good for persons in all walks of life. As individuals and as members of segments of the population, we need outlets through which to express ourselves, raise our questions, and connect with others. Any one with a computer can blog, tweet, establish their own facebook page, etc. Others can give speeches, write letters to the editor and talk with persons individually.

To me, this current-day example of Rome's salt policy represents our nation's primary hope that we will continue to evolve, grow and face our many challenges. By ensuring our right to communicate with each other, our nation and the powers-that-be that shape its directions and priorities have, in essence, made a firm commitment toward preserving our future. So long as we as individuals can communicate, then even if the directions our nation takes sometimes zig-zag beyond our individual comfort level, then the hope we will eventually settle upon correct paths will always exist and always be a common goal to which we all strive and aspire. So, in terms of identifying something for everyone, the founders of our nation were much wiser than those who created the Roman Empire. I like salt in moderation, but I much prefer communication in abundance.