Some key words and their definitions now in play:
Anarchy - a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority or other controlling systems.
Despotism - the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way. A country or political system where the ruler holds absolute power.
Corruption - dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.
*****
“Republics come to an end by corruption.”
— Bulwer.
BULWER, BARON LYTTON, (EDWARD GEORGE Earle Lytton,) born at Heydon Hall, in Norfolk, England, May, 1805; a distinguished novelist, poet, dramatist, miscellaneous writer, and statesman; died, 1873.
“The true republic favors neither anarchy nor despotism.”
— S. Bolivar.
BOLIVAR, SIMON, born at Caraccas, South America, July 1783; the liberator of South America; died at San Pedro, December, 1830.
The highly observant person (and the not so highly observant as well) in the time period starting with the rise of Donald Trump to prominence, beginning in my mind when he spread the conspiracy theory of Barack Obama’s birthplace, which there was a great audience for, may have felt that action was now particularly demanded,
I certainly discounted the insanity of such a claim, but was also alarmed with the traction it gained, and was perhaps too dismissive of how influencing it may have been, white privileged people value this over nearly all things, this was the lesson from that time, and motivations for autocracy lie dormant just below the surface, this still is a driving force,
And this man Trump, grifter through and through, perhaps second or longer generation of being so, was a natural to follow into a very corrupt and corrupting politician, in an American political system now where corruption is rampant, to a degree perhaps beyond the threshold for sustainability of the republic,
And the sense of degradation of our nation is so apparent in the words and actions of Trump,
Here is someone who is a destabilizer, someone who promotes anarchy to gain power in which to a path of full despotism can be realized,
This is clearly his modus operandi, demonstrated over and over again,
Those who blindly follow him may think they are fighting for a worthy cause,
Although if questioned perhaps there would be no rationale involved by these people, they could not explain their position, it’s essentially a mob mentality even without being in an actual physical mob as happened on January 6th, 2021,
It is my impression that the destabilizing is rewarded for Trump, and he is only acting as an agent for authoritarian rule, he is deeply narcissistic, but if he regains control or not seems secondary to this destroyer,
I’m not writing anything necessarily new, many have done the same, but I wish to explore why I’m perhaps doing so, as are others,
Trump and his acolytes, his followers claim somehow that we only hate him, that is why we push back,
And that every attack on this man is political in nature, the District Attorney in New York City, preposterously claimed to be funded by George Soros,
Such nonsense is believed by way too many people, those who may still swear up and down that Obama was born in Kenya,
Or we only hate him because he is so successful, so rich (we’re only jealous) a fighter for the common man, absurdities every one,
The emotionally driven among their ranks (each and every one) are incapable of understanding the concern for democracy we have,
We have no choice in the matter, those of us who understand our current trajectory,
Trump is absolutely gifted in creating disorder, and Herculean efforts appear needed to stop the ongoing destruction.
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”
— Reinhold Niebuhr
Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) was an American Reformed theologian, ethicist, commentator on politics and public affairs, and professor at Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years. Niebuhr was one of America's leading public intellectuals for several decades of the 20th century and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.
We became a superpower on democratic principles, we fought and died against the authoritarians, the dictators, the fascists, and here we are, not perfect but a nation with worth,
People are trying to undo this all, inexplicably they may believe in becoming the oppressor, the cruel country, the iron fist will somehow be better,
Truly for an American citizen who has grown up in this nation with the ideals, and the steady growth of democracy through its growing pains, this is entirely unAmerican, a vile act,
So their inclination toward a nation of injustice, in which they may further stuff their pockets, and somehow they think this will continue, this is the reason for democracy, for checks and balances, for their greed endangers all, even themselves,
So those not infected with delusion must step up at this time, time is not on our side, we must do our part to prevent their distorted worldview to play out, as the results they envision would never sustain civilization anyway,
Nihilism is their religion, they just don’t realize that it is, democracy is more than worth saving, it’s our soul, we must not let them take our soul.
“Necessity is a strong rider with sharp spurs, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strongest horse sometimes will not do.”
— Calanus.
CALANUS, (SPHINES;) a Hindoo philosopher of the sect of Gymnosophists, who accompanied Alexander the Great on his Indian expedition; he was then in his eighty - third year, and being taken sick, he voluntarily burned himself on a pile, 325 B.C.
“Where there is force there is no choice.”
— N. Grew
GREW, NEHEMIAH, born at Coventry, 1628; an English naturalist and writer; died, 1711.
“When we choose, we are masters of our own fate.”
— Ferrier.
FERRIER, JAMES F., born, 1808; a British writer on moral philosophy; died, 1864.
We are forced to ride strong, regardless of position, regardless of age, Americans must act like Americans, it’s our duty,
This seems so clear to me, I am a baby boomer and had my opportunities, and not oppression to live most of my life, I’m a steward of America, one with democracy as its foundation, my descendants are relying upon me,
By my writing I am perhaps that “sorry jade,” but in my mind at least perhaps I rise to that strong rider on strong mount, at least that is a motivation for the effort,
It is an honor to me to do so, it keeps my mind engaged in the struggle we are facing, even before possible deterioration into what is possible,
It’s unconscionable to not fight (I prefer not to use the word but I must) for our country, to retain the abilities of having choice in life, for they wish to make all the choices for us, and their choice making is very bad,
With their force they wish to take away centuries of choice, not for everyone unfortunately, but for those like me,
We are masters of our fate, as long as we act, to not act will lend a hand to their perversion of thought, their madness, their ignorance.
“Fatalism is the belief of an unchangeable destiny , to which everything is subject, uninfluenced by reason, and independent of a controlling cause; the doctrine, in short, which teaches that all things take place by inevitable necessity.”
— G. Maunder.
MAUNDER, GEORGE, born about 1810; an English writer, and author of "Eminent Christian Philanthropists," (London, 1853.) Died 1878.
I have often thought that America has its karma to pay, and can get into the mindset of fatalism,
Do we have to be put through the wringer, this country, are we too haughty, are we too materialistic, are we too mad, is our time to come,
And although I’m relatively old, I do not wish to not care anymore, and so I continue to care, I worked in government in my past, I wish my opportunity to serve in those years are available for others,
If we are destined for their dystopian dreams or not is unknown, and my feelings are mixed in if they will get their way ultimately, I have had no clear prophetic dreams on which to base such a decision,
Fatalism at this time is something we can’t afford to latch onto,
We come into the world screaming and kicking for our life,
We have no choice other than to continue.
33rd posting, April 2, 2023.