The Age of American Dictatorship

[mmonk]

In representaive democracies, the rule of law and constitution hold sway and the leaders are not above the law. When leaders are no longer held by the laws and the constitution, they become the law by default, which means they then dictate what is law (thus dictatorship).
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From The End of America, Letter of Warning To A Young Patriot, by Naomi Wolf, Chelsea Green Publishing
Copyright 2007, Naomi Wolf

"Our teachers failed to explain to us that the power the Founders restrained in each branch of government is not abstract; it is the power to strip you and me of personal liberty"
page 5

"We in America are used to a democratic social contract in which there is an agreement about the rules of the game: When Congress demands an answer, for instance, the President does not simply refuse to pick up the phone. So we keep being startled when the steps of the democratic interplay are ignored: "He can't do that!" It's time to notice that they are playing a different game altogether."
page 144

[flashl]

1. We have been taught well

we can talk about our Constitution in excoriating detail without understanding that it is not in force.

[Echo In Light]

2. So long as the mainstream establishment assures people it isn't a dictatorship...

Even though it is, many will buy it and fiercely attack those who point out the obvious.

[mmonk]

3. Yes.

We are at a point where constitutional scholars are considered liberal extremists, leftists, and alarmists and universities now are being pressured to deny appointments to them. If they write anything that is critical from a constitutional perspective, they are put on the no fly lists or the extra search lists as intimidation.

[Echo In Light]

5. Exactly. And say what you will about the 9/11 truth movement, but face it...

There are many names within it that carry weight...not exactly the sort of folks who got to where they are professionally by recklessly lending themselves and their energies to "crazy" Bigfoot conspiracies, ya know? It's a very long list.

As to you point, I agree: we're in an era where the ones who are attempting to warn the rest are being scapegoated, and by many turns, unfortunately, attacked by those their efforts aid.

The pendulum is shifting to a degree though. I recall posting here some years ago, and the general consensus then re many "conspiratorial" sounding issues was one of flat out denial, and those who sounded the alarm were naturally assailed with free floating hostilities; "tinfoil," name calling, etc

It almost seems that many of those sensible, level headed "centrists" and "moderates" are no longer quite as flippant and arrogant when it comes to dismissing such grim matters out of hand...as if what was clear to some a few years ago is now finally catching up to some of the rest. This process in and of itself often creates its own form of hostility and resentment against those who were, again, pointing out the obvious all along, because the ones still in denial, and maybe some of those who finally awoke to the truly horrible condition of our crippled democracy, can't help but project their own psyche modus onto others, and in doing so, assign the motives they personally exalt to those sounding the warning bell. See?

So for them, it's not about those types, such as yourself, raising awareness. No. They instead read competition into the equation, and assume one rings that warning bell in order to draw personal praise of sorts when that is, at least for myself, and for scores of truth seekers I've encountered, the least important aspect of the task. Yet many "denialers" automatically relegate the situation to that unfortunate level, and the substance and urgency of the matter takes a backseat to pride/ego.

[mmonk]

6. The key is when will it stop?

Are there any provisions or options left to enable correction? When and how does silence come into play? And without addressing the issue, how assured can anyone be of political victory? And once arbitrary practice and law are on the books, what is the ease of removal?

[tavalon]

7. Just as important

Is there anyone out there who will choose to reverse it? I've come to a point in my political life where I am even doubting my own side. I suspect them of complicity or even co-conspiracy. I'm having what might be called a crisis of faith. Looking around on this board of late, I see it in others as well.

[Echo In Light]

9. Bingo!..."co-conspiracy" is the toughest nut for dems

"Government is the shadow cast by business over society" ~ John Dewey

A crucial component of the political ruse is that the top 20% or so of the populace must be highly indoctrinated, usually college educated, into siding with one or the other of the Name Brand political parties. However, as Gore Vidal points out, America has one corporate party with two right wings. The trick is to condition a certain percentage into not appreciating the overarching similarities between the two {economic sectors}, and instead focusing on keeping the two camps fighting amongst themselves over socially volatile issues ... and those fires are fueled well via mainline media, and is now entrenched throughout the corporate culture with all sorts of bizarre, mixed messages. So long as the masses are fighting each other {divide and rule} the elites can keep going to the bank over our backs.

[tavalon]

10. I'm finding it heartbreaking and soul killing so yes,

it is a tough nut. I don't see any way out that allows progressive ideals any more air than they get now. No one out there is courageous enough and influential enough and with the right message at the right time enough...............

I just want to do the right thing by my fellow citizens but I don't rightly know what that is now.

[Echo In Light]

8. I've never experienced anything like this before, as I suspect most haven't

It is incredibly difficult as Americans have been conditioned for anti-intellectualism/pandering to the lowest common denominator ... and the thing is, as soon as one points that out, people will attack you for being a 'know-it-all' etc, even if that's not the driving impetus behind one's social critique. Americans don't like their social critiques to get very deep. Look to the late, great comic Bill Hicks as an example. On that note I'm amazed George Carlin remains as popular as ever, given how he pretty much comes right out and directly refers to Americans are diseased, ignorant masochists who are willing slaves to a soulless system in rant after rant.

I dunno what the solution is...but so long as the war profiteers own and control the mainline media, and has incredible sway of the collective will of the country, change will be slow, step by step, as it always is whenever power asserts itself over the will of the people.

[mmonk]

11. The reason it will be slow

is that people are "too busy" to think things out and word of mouth about the truth even from friends is slow because there isn't much out there in the form of public information to back us up. That's why we are so dependent on our reps and when they fail to bring it forth, it's very difficult. In the end, people don't like their judgements challenged.

[flashl]

4. Yes. How many ways can you ask ...

What's the Matter With Kansas?

Kansas, like many places in America, once had a tradition of progressivism and outright radicalism ... Today Kansas is the sort of place where the angry, suspicious worldview typified by Fox News or the books of Ann Coulter is a common part of everyday life ... The reason I say there’s something “the matter” with all this is that, in becoming more and more conservative, Kansas is voting against its own economic interests. Large parts of the state are in deep economic crisis—in many cases a crisis either brought on or worsened by the free-market policies of the Republican party—and yet the state’s voters insist on re-electing the very people who are screwing them, running up colossal majorities for George Bush, lowering taxes and privatizing and deregulating, even when these things are manifestly unhealthy for the state.