“AN OPENLY DESPOTIC GOVERNMENT”
by Michael Gaddy, ©2016, blogging at The Rebel Madman
(Oct. 28, 2016) — “As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose–that it may violate property instead of protecting it–then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder.” ~Frederic Bastiat
Positivism is the legal philosophy that laws need not pass any type of muster such as adherence to a constitution, justice, fairness or the laws of humanity, sometimes better known as Natural rights, to be binding and enforceable on the citizens of the affected country. The belief that law is whatever the legislature proposes, the executive signs and the judicial approves, or in other words, law is whatever the government says it is, has been the precursor to the most tyrannical and heinous regimes in history. Soviet Russia, Nazi Germany, Mao’s China and Kampuchea under Pol Pot are prime examples. It is not mere coincidence that positivist regimes eventually involve mass execution of the innocents at the hands of those in charge of the government.
Bastiat wrote the quote that began this article something over 160 years ago; so how was he able to see with such clarity the type of oppressive government we have in America today? How did he know that “…everyone will want to participate in making the law…?” How does the government get those who are the most adversely affected by its policies to “participate” in the creation of laws that basically enslave them while destroying their Natural rights?
The history of the past 60 or so years in our country alone illustrates how easy it is for the government to entice everyone to participate in making laws and regulations that are the very basis of the destruction of their individual liberties. All that is required is either an emotional or a financial attachment to the actions of that governing body.
A great example of financial attachment to government is the wonderfully failed Ponzi scheme known as Social Security. This odious piece of progressive, socialistic legislation has had to be revamped (read bailed out) over 20 times since its inception. Yet, if one were to judge from the political ads on TV, even the so-called “conservative” Republicans support overwhelmingly the continuance of an obviously failed concept. Republicans and Democrats are more than willing to financially obligate our posterity to this program because they believe they should be able to recover their investment made over many years, even though they had no choice in the matter. Had these same people lost their money in real estate or the stock market, to whom would they look for satisfaction? Tyrannical government perpetuates itself with the mistaken belief that it “guarantees” a return on monies seized by force and coercion from the masses.
Obviously, an openly despotic government that continues unabated in its destruction of our personal liberty, watches our every move, reads our emails and texts, sends our loved ones to die and be maimed in unprovoked wars, places us and our posterity in smothering debt and dictates how much water goes into our toilets is acceptable as long as we believe it owes us some money; money that will be stolen from our grandchildren, plus operating expenses, of course.
While the financial aspect of wanting to be involved with and even support out of control government is understandable, possibly the most virulent form of support comes through the emotional channels. First of all is the polarization of factions within our country. The government is continually promoting hate and distrust among various groups. These can be political, race-based, religious based polarization or perhaps even heritage based differences. There is hardly anyone alive who would not embrace an unconstitutional act or law by our government if it was thought that act or law would be used against those we emotionally oppose.
(In theory) Republicans would gladly support any act or law that would depose our current president while any Democrat would have been equally as happy if the act or law had gotten rid of Bush. Blacks would gladly support legislation that would help them get even with the white oppressor and whites would be equally content to bring down those who believe they are owed a living because their ancestors of 150 years ago were slaves.
Author Andrew Napolitano accurately describes Positivism thusly:
“No matter how ill-advised, unnatural, or immoral; how unlawful, unconstitutional, or hateful; how biased, self-serving, or fraudulent; under Positivism, the majority that lawfully controls the government lawfully gets its way.”
The one emotion the government cherishes and uses more than others is FEAR! They keep the populace on edge with threats of terrorism from groups that our tax dollars have created and financed. We are engaged in a never-ending war on terror, yet how many are even aware that the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) under Ronald Reagan, General William Odom, recently stated the following: “[B]y any measure the U.S. has long used terrorism. In 1978-79 the Senate was trying to pass a law against international terrorism – in every version they produced, the lawyers said the U.S. would be in violation.”
Now, of course, we face the threat of deadly viruses known as Ebola or Zika. Every news broadcast cites more and more the need for alarm and government mandated vaccinations. Does it concern anyone that the U.S. Department of Health holds a patent on an Ebola Virus? Here, take a look for yourself. Does it bother anyone that the Rockefeller Foundation owns the patent on the Zika virus? Seeing as how patents routinely cover inventions, what does this say about the US Department of Health, the Ebola virus and the Rockefeller Foundation and the Zika virus?
Now, for Intellectual Cowardice and how that plays into the mix: What is the definition of Intellectual Cowardice and how does that relate to how people rationalize their support of unconstitutional, tyrannical government? Intellectual cowards are most often champions of Positivism which is simply Progressivism or Neoconservatism with lipstick. Seeing as how their religion is based on the principles of whatever the government says is gospel, their only arguments must be grounded in emotions rather than intellect.
When challenged on those beliefs with ideas, possibilities based on history, verifiable facts or our Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Positivist/Progressive must resort to emotional responses since their position is completely devoid of intellect. We have all encountered their patented responses. Ad hominem attacks are their weapon of choice. Anytime facts and evidence cannot be countered with intellect, the Positivist/Progressive seeks to destroy facts with emotionally-based name calling. The most common are conspiracy nut, racist, homophobe, Neoconfederate and the ever popular, anarchist. Once those magical words are uttered, the discussion is over in the mind of the Positivist/Progressive/Neocon.
We can succumb to the siren song of comfortable living espoused by the Positivist/Progressives until such time as our government, like all governments before it, becomes completely despotic. Positivist/Progressives/Neocons live quite comfortably supporting laws that take from others and destroy liberty until such time the government they support realizes the absolute need for concentration camps, firing squads, forced mass inoculations, and large ovens.
“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair” ~C.S. Lewis