There are too many incisive points in your writing to "amen." This one though was the least comprehensible to me and now is most telling. "Even though 74 million Americans voted for Kamala, the bottom line is that the candidate who wins — the president — represents and comes to represent the fundamental values of the culture." Of course. Duh, on my part.
I will say that folks who think of these days as a new development in the social, economic and political landscape of our country have too rosy and blinkered view of our past American experience - the parts that were also turbulent, contradictory, bloody and paranoid or mre benignly authoritarian. Just pick any decade.
For a standard text book when I was a kid in the 60's see "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter or even earlier see Henry L. Mencken or Mark Twain.
Your writing and thoughts are worthy additions to these trenchant observers and seers.
Hiya Pete! Happy belated Thanksgiving! Regarding America's rocky history, I suppose one advantage that comes with time and age is perspective. I've now ordered "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter per your recommendation. I'm also checking out In Defense of Women by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken. "Your writing and thoughts are worthy additions to these trenchant observers and seers."--what a sublime compliment, Pete! Thank you for your steadfast support, my friend. Good luck to us all, indeed!
Democracy is not about saving the institutions of government that are rotten to the core and do not serve the citizens, it is about the citizens having a say in who governs and how they are governed. We are in a HUGE shift in political landscape. If you trust the establishment, there are hundreds of examples in history where that doesn’t end well. Ask Louis XVI and Robespierre.
These days we tend to think of progress as linear with some setbacks along the way but the arc of the universe bends towards justice.
During the Renaissance, they believed that progress was cyclical and civilizations would die when institutions became corrupted. Trump may inadvertently facilitate the draining of the swamp when the government becomes so radioactive toxic that his regime is toppled. Then we would have a clean slate where we can begin to appreciate each other and our institutions. This process would be painful, though may be necessary.
There are too many incisive points in your writing to "amen." This one though was the least comprehensible to me and now is most telling. "Even though 74 million Americans voted for Kamala, the bottom line is that the candidate who wins — the president — represents and comes to represent the fundamental values of the culture." Of course. Duh, on my part.
I will say that folks who think of these days as a new development in the social, economic and political landscape of our country have too rosy and blinkered view of our past American experience - the parts that were also turbulent, contradictory, bloody and paranoid or mre benignly authoritarian. Just pick any decade.
For a standard text book when I was a kid in the 60's see "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter or even earlier see Henry L. Mencken or Mark Twain.
Your writing and thoughts are worthy additions to these trenchant observers and seers.
Thanks again, Ginger and good luck to us all..
Hiya Pete! Happy belated Thanksgiving! Regarding America's rocky history, I suppose one advantage that comes with time and age is perspective. I've now ordered "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter per your recommendation. I'm also checking out In Defense of Women by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken. "Your writing and thoughts are worthy additions to these trenchant observers and seers."--what a sublime compliment, Pete! Thank you for your steadfast support, my friend. Good luck to us all, indeed!
Democracy is not about saving the institutions of government that are rotten to the core and do not serve the citizens, it is about the citizens having a say in who governs and how they are governed. We are in a HUGE shift in political landscape. If you trust the establishment, there are hundreds of examples in history where that doesn’t end well. Ask Louis XVI and Robespierre.
I think we live in cycles along a linear path. Bible prophecy is a passion, so I will check these out.
I'd be interested in your thoughts.
These days we tend to think of progress as linear with some setbacks along the way but the arc of the universe bends towards justice.
During the Renaissance, they believed that progress was cyclical and civilizations would die when institutions became corrupted. Trump may inadvertently facilitate the draining of the swamp when the government becomes so radioactive toxic that his regime is toppled. Then we would have a clean slate where we can begin to appreciate each other and our institutions. This process would be painful, though may be necessary.
What do you think of the Fourth Turning idea?
Interesting! What do you think? In the same vein, you may enjoy https://vaknin-talks.com/transcripts/End_Times_or_Transitional_Period/ and https://vaknin-talks.com/transcripts/Dystopia_This_Horrible_Time_We_Live_In/
Quite horrible