How a Democracy Dies

[Bob Butler 1954]

(01-06-2018, 07:57 PM)nebraska Wrote: Wow.

Everyone seems to agree that wars, debt, and tyranny are the main problems facing the US. The issue seems to be what the answer is for the decline.

Government is not the solution, but rather the cause of our problems.

I might replace tyranny with global warming, but global warming isn't as visible yet.

The government as is is the problem, not necessarily government.  I anticipate we'll have government after the next crisis, but hope it will be very different.

(01-06-2018, 07:57 PM)nebraska Wrote: Perhaps one solution to the US collapse is secession. Liberals could live on the East and West coasts, the Conservatives could live in the Midwest and the South, and Libertarians could have New Hampshire.

No matter what happens, Americans should stay healthy, make plans, stock up, buy gold, buy guns, and get the word out now.

The Constitution originally specified that the states would remain sovereign, that the federal government would be limited to powers granted by law.  Over the centuries, the power of the federal government grew.  Much of this is to blame on the Supreme Court, whose members are nominated and ratified by feds.  Does anyone see a problem there?  I would not be surprised by movement back in the direction of state power and one culture not attempting to force change on the other.  I am not sure secession is the way to go about it, but am not eliminating it out of hand.

On the other hand, I am glad the united states were united to face the Civil War, Great Depression, World War II and Civil Rights movement.  The problems we faced were best solved once, not fifty times.  As much a fan of state power as I am now, as much as I want to see federal power weakened, each culture left alone, I would not change the past if I could.

I would use the word 'humans' rather that 'Americans'.   I am not as sure we should all buy guns as I am of what the founding fathers believed and wrote into law.  Otherwise, I can see the logic of where Nebraska wants to go, if not the extemes he takes it.

Nebraska also talks primarily of domestic policy.  I am concerned also of foreign policy.  Many strive to change cultures abroad at gunpoint, which is no easier than changing domestic culture.  If we remain blind to others, we will continue to set policy that fails.  Too many believe in corporate power, in using military force to guarantee access to resources.  This should be quashed.  We try to extend our use of force around the world.  If we try to do this, we will be behind Russia, China, Europe and other continental powers with nigh on the same resources we have.  We will be unable to do as much for the local population as others have proven possible.

I think it impossible to get rid of government, but it sure needs to change.  I don't see us changing to yesterday, as we are facing new problems requiring new solutions.  

It is often useful to honor and practice old values and virtues.  In many respects Nebraska and many conservatives are right.

I also note that during the Industrial Age, superpowers didn't vanish.  Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia are still on the map.  They are no longer the superpowers they were at various times, but they are still there and their people generally have livable life styles.  Even given the worst case of US succession, crisis war and partition, we could go into the global warming time of troubles no worse than many.