Rand Paul Likens U.S. Economy to the Fall of Rome

Kentucky's Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul, who has made headlines this year with controversial comments reflecting his libertarian views, said at a Tea Party rally Thursday that the current economy makes the United States comparable to the empire of Rome before its downfall.

"In the latter days of Rome, the economy was crumbling, the emperor ... would placate the mob with bread and circus -- food and entertainment to placate them since the economy was in shambles and dwindling around them," Paul, said, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. "Now in our country, as our economy is in shambles, they give us Cash for Clunkers and a stimulus check and they tell us to go to the mall and spend your money and everything will be OK ... That's not how you become prosperous as an individual or a country."

His campaign manager Jesse Benton clarified Paul's economic comments in a statement, according to the Courier-Journal.

"Rand is deeply concerned about the debt and unsustainable overspending in our country," Benton said. "He uses Rome as a metaphor to show that great nations can fall if they are not vigilant in protecting their traditions. He believes that millions of Kentuckians share that same concern."

Paul laid low for a while after coming under scrutiny for a few controversial comments, including some remarks regarding the Civil Rights Act, but he is now campaigning in what the Courier Journal characterizes as a "tour of speaking engagements in friendly settings."

In spite of the controversy he has spurred, Paul raised $1.1 million between April and June, his campaign reported yesterday. Paul campaign official David Adams told the Associated Press that contributions to Paul poured in from "regular people who just want the government to balance the federal budget and follow the U.S. Constitution."

Paul is running against Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway for the seat of Republican Sen. Jim Bunning, who is retiring after two terms.