you are dead on.
Tyranny, Civil war, massive imperial state. how about ALL OF THE ABOVE.
The problems will be so massive, that when the Caesar comes, we will hail him as a hero.
This is the path Rome went on. Republic->unstable corrupt republic->Caesar with pseudo republic trappings.
We are in phase two. Next phase is civil war, bloodshed to prepare the way of the new caesar.
Unfortunately it may take awhile. The good news is that Rome teaches us that an emperor/strongman can stabilize the situation and bring about peace and prosperity for another 100-200 years.
But that’s the best case scenario. More often the entire civilization just falls apart and gets invaded.
And on that cheery note. AVE IMPERATOR!
P.S. If anyone tries to apply the above to current events. Obama is NOT the new caesar. Too stupid, too divisive, we are not ready yet. Read the history of Augustus. He was brilliant and smart and popular. That’s what it will take.