The United States is hurtling toward fiscal insolvency. The Trump team is trying to put on the brakes by trimming fat, waste, and fraud and at the same time boosting revenues by expanding the nation’s economy. Who knows if the Trump plan will work? Even if his ideas are sound, the Democrats and the never-Trumpers appear determined to block his every move. And what happens if he fails?

I can think of two sad historical incidents that provide a cautionary warning.

In the 1780s France was facing a financial crisis. There were many reasons, but in part it was due to expenses incurred by France in coming to our aid in the American Revolution. In order to confront the mounting deficit and widespread public unrest, King Louis XVI convened the French parliament. The assembled delegates demanded reforms. First it was the moderates, and then came the radicals. The nation exploded and consumed all of Europe in its flames for the following quarter century.

In the late 1920’s Germany was facing its own financial crisis. That lead to misery for the German people and growth of the Nazi Party. In 1933 these evil men took over the German government, and within a few years they managed to plunge the entire world into the most destructive war in human history.

These are dangerous times. The current economic morass developed over a period of decades, and there is no easy or painless solution. Pray for President Trump’s success as he deals with our fiscal dilemma. All men of good will should cooperate in the effort to save America from financial and civil chaos.