For the past two years, I've been working full-time to oppose this Bushite regime because I believe it is doing profound and systematic damage to America, to the world, to the planet. It has been my conviction that in this regime, power has been seized by a set of forces animated by a spirit that warrants being called evil. Never in the history of this nation, I believe, has so much power been in the hands of such dark forces.
My writings about the many dimensions of this have elicited many responses seeking to press upon me and other readers a different perspective.
Rather than stressing the special nature of this Bushite regime, they emphasize that this regime is only a worse version of what's been there in the American power system all along. Whenever I describe and interpret the evils of the current ruling forces, they come forward to say, in effect, "This is nothing new. Look at these long-standing American evils."
Where I see extraordinary dishonesty in our rulers, where I see America having become a global bully, where I see an especially vicious political modus operandi, where I see unprecedented disregard of the law and the Constitution-- these people come forward to talk about the enduring problems of American capitalism and plutocracy, of American imperialism and abuse of power, of American racism, of corruptions in the American market-place of ideas, etc.
America has always been pervaded by injustice, corruption, lies, etc., is their refrain-- almost regardless of the immediate subject under discussion. It is this, they say, more than the specific nature of this Bush presidency, that we should be loud in denouncing.
I would argue that these people are an impediment to our success against this regime, that their continual diversion of the discussion from the immediate evils of this regime onto the long-standing problems of the American polity and society can only help the Bushites in their quest to hold onto power.
For the present, I will leave aside the question of whether or not this leftist perception of the American status quo ante is correct. That issue will be engaged in the next installment of this series.
But even if we were to stipulate that their analysis is right, their continual promotion of this perspective would STILL be a mistake. This emphasis on the need for a fundamental overhaul of the American system would still be an obstacle to our victory. Regardless of its truth, this leftist emphasis helps the regime that they agree is evil.
The reason for this derives from the central idea of the first installment, namely that ENLISTING MAJORITY PUBLIC OPINION IS OUR ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT THIS REGIME.
Big majorities of the American people would agree that the president should not lie to the American people; that the president is obliged to obey the law and honor his oath of office to defend the Constitution; that it is dishonorable to use character assassination as a tool in the quest for power in our democracy; that it is wrong for an American leader to take the country to war on false pretenses; that our elections should be honest and fair; that science should not be falsified for political purposes; that the media should report the truth; etc. etc.
Awakening the American people to the true nature and conduct of this regime can rally a majority of the American people around such shared American values.
But most Americans are nowhere within striking distance of supporting the idea that the basic, traditional American systems of government and economy are inherently deeply flawed. The idea, more specifically, that America's role in the world has for generations been a shameful one is not one that there's a snowball's chance in hell will be supported by the preponderance of public opinion. The idea that America's liberal democracy has been a sham for generations, or even throughout its history, is not one that anything more than a tiny fringe is likely to support at any foreseeable time. The idea that America's market economy should be jettisoned and replaced, because of its being inherently unjust and exploitative, is not something that a majority of the American people are anywhere close to believing.
Yet these ideas, and others like them, are what a great many on the left seem to be most interested in promoting when they give voice in the political sphere. And quite often, when the subject is the way that the Bushites have been trampling upon what most Americans believe to be basic American values, these people will seek to divert the conversation away from the damage and dangers from this regime to make the point that those values have ALWAYS been trampled upon.
Even though these people will generally concede that this proto-fascist regime is even worse than its predecessors, they seek to direct our efforts not against this Bush regime so much as against what they see as the persistent evils of American society.
But in today's political environment, as created by the Bush-Rove team, with their pervasive lies and false patriotism and fear-mongering, there's no meaningful chance for remedying America's long-standing problems. What is at stake at this moment is not major transformation such as the left believes in, but rather whether or not the United States will descend further into fascism.
When it comes to public opinion, the issue is not whether the American public can be swayed toward a leftist perspective on power. It is whether the mainstream of the American public will continue to be seduced by the powers that have been driving the nation toward a fascist state or whether they can be rallied to the defense of liberal democracy.
Andrew Bard Schmookler's website www.nonesoblind.org is devoted to understanding the roots of America's present moral crisis and the means by which the urgent challenge of this dangerous moment can be met. Dr. Schmookler is also the author of such books as The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution (SUNY Press) and Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide (M.I.T. Press). He also conducts regular talk-radio conversations in both red and blue states.
I find myself ambivalent about so much of what Schmookler says; there is value in getting more people to recognize the delusional nature of our democracy and economy, and then to transform their anger, disgust etc into something positive; but a revolt of we the people must also be guided by specific avenues of feasible, practical action; thus specific electoral reforms, support for third-parties, and greater use of ballot initiatives etc must show Americans doors that they can walk through; it all comes down to critical mass; I often think that there may be 1 million or so people who regularly read web sites like opednews, vote for third-party candidates, and read the many books (like my Delusional Democracy)that tell the Truth and provide solid information for fixing our country and our lives; clearly a million or so is not sufficient, and so much Internet activity seems to be doing more fragmenting than uniting, as so many groups and individuals push their own agendas/ideas/values; I remain convinced that as the middle class suffers more and more, we may yet reach a critical mass for a peaceful revolution
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (135 articles, 37 quicklinks, 63 diaries, 538 comments)
on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 10:17:33 AM
I agree that we need a practical push to hold Bush accountable for his crimes. I support that fully.
But I think ONE of the many good things that can be salvaged from this horrible time is that many are beginning to question the rotten framework in place. That is amazingly good news.
by
Nezua (42 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 93 comments)
on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 2:59:31 PM
but I simply could not. Where is the difference, Mr.Schmookler, between your refusal to tolerate the absolute truth about this nations rather sordid history and George Bush refusing to hear the truth about his administrations endless incompetence?
A wise man once said that those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, thus what you expound here is dooming us all. I think that you are learning the lessons of the current democratic leadership, sad to say, as they seem unable or unwilling to speak the truth about history and events , current or past, thus , should they come to power, the capitalist system will thrive intact, with all its inherent ills.
What you suggest, speaking only half truths, or waging only a portion of the battle, you claim is the road to victory. But what will you have won? The installation of another administration that acts only on behalf of those who supply the campaign funds, thus continuing the world wide aggression that has seen numerous governments toppled and murderous dictatorships installed so that United Fruit or Union Carbide or Exxon can safely invest in the region....
If you do not know the truth of our nations history I suggest you learn it, if you do know the truth and simply choose to ignore it because you are afraid of alientating the voter, well what good are you doing?
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 5:56:30 PM
The article states, "Awakening the American people to the true nature and conduct of this regime can rally a majority of the American people around such shared American values."
I know an octogenarian who was a Republican all his life, who has on several occasions claimed he is very sorry he voted for Bush. I'm pretty sure this fellow is representative of many in his generation. I hear people everywhere talking about how bad Bush is for this country. No one I have talked politics with in the past year or two has supported Bush. Bush's ratings have been in the dumps for a mighty long time now. Editorials and letters to the editor seem to be anti-Bush here and there and everywhere. Am I mistaken in my perception that a majority of people already have at least one eye open regarding the nature and conduct of this regime?
On the other hand, if they are not awakened yet, I imagine they'll sleep through Armageddon. And I am frankly worn out sounding alarms. If the majority of Americans are still sleeping, do they really deserve to go on? Possibly, but I'll be damned if I can see why.
I believe I signed a petition for impeachment about two years ago, and one more since then. What's become of that? Last I heard, the thinking was that with Republicans in control, it would go nowhere. So the idea was to vote the cronies out. If Americans fail to do that, it may be time to accept that we will indeed be witnessing the extinction of the human race.
Is that really so bad, given the nature of it?
by
Daniel Geery (26 articles, 81 quicklinks, 125 diaries, 775 comments)
on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 10:28:43 PM
Many of the people in the US disillusioned by Bush and his criminals and being honest and educated justifiably point out at the pattern of evil in the US history. And they are right. But in all fairness the only way to see the real truth is in comparison to other countries and to the experience of individuals in other places of living. With all sadness but also in all tribute to the truth I hope people here will admit that life in the US even now(!) is overwhelmingly better for an average individual than the life in other countries including such places as Western Europe. Americans do enjoy the abundance, opportunities and even protection (yes, folks) which the world population only dreams about. Even disenfranchised Americans enjoy that. To make a simple comparison- most of the Western European countries do have a mandatory military service or equivalent for men. Even Swiss have that We have none.
The US people are by far the luckiest, although not the best people in the world. That is why I would consider that Andy's point have merits- we better first restore the things we know are good for sure. Let me tell you, folks, in many of our very radical projects we have to remember that there is only one difference between the real patriots and the fake ones- the real ones truly love the people of their country. The fake ones love only themselves. Andy Bard Schmookler strikes me as one who has that real love in him. It is rare. One person in my former country said,'To love your country is to support the honest people in it.' It is the honest man talking in that article above. Let's be fair and support him.
by
Mark Sashine (55 articles, 19 quicklinks, 256 diaries, 3703 comments)
on Friday, August 18, 2006 at 9:21:23 AM
My comment above is not meant as an ad-homin (sp?) attack. I have great respect for Andy, and I recommend his website as one of the more thought-provoking ones around. He routinely gets me thinking about things I haven't considered. I even agree that the Bush Dynasty is the largest fire that needs putting out.
But I am dismayed that impeachment proceedings, that I thought were underway some time ago, haven't seem to come to anything. I plan to be at a large anti-Bush rally here in Salt Lake, when Bozo gets here, on August 30, along with Sleezy. You can be sure I'll be voting the Pubs (as in pubic hair) out, every time. If there's more I can do, that I'm aware of, I surely will.
I can relate to Ardee's thinking above, but at the same time realize you need start the journey from where you are. The more I learn about our long, sordid past, the more appalled I become. But here we are now, and we can't get from A to C without getting past B. If we could but effect instant run-off elections, establish coporate responsibility, improve education and have an educated populace, convert the military to a useful organization, or make any one of a number of changes, we might start getting light into the shadows.
How to get any one thing going, when they all seem so interconnected, I imagine is on all of our minds a great deal of the time.
by
Daniel Geery (26 articles, 81 quicklinks, 125 diaries, 775 comments)
on Friday, August 18, 2006 at 3:52:51 PM
Criticising one government is not disloyalty to ones nation, in fact, some might say that it is the very duty of a good citizen.
Our lifestyle, as Panurg notes, is indeed and on the surface, a good one. Less folks here die of malnutrition than do elsewhere, less here live in cardboard boxes than do elesewhere, less go to prison for their beliefs than do elesewhere....is this good enough?
Daniel notes we cannot skip B if we intend to arrive at C. I say that one must know where one wishes to go before one can arrive there. I say that, beneath the surface that Panurg brags upon there is corruption and rot. I place the blame for this squarely upon an unfettered and unchecked piracy that is the ultimate outcome of the Capitalist System. The frantic search for more and more profit that drives our business leaders cannot hope to avoid the abuses and deterioration we see everywhere in these United States.
I further suggest that, regardless of which party holds sway in Washington, thie dependence upon money that so characterises our politics and thus our choices will lead us into more and more abuses abroad, more and more inequities at home, more folks under educated, more jobs going abroad, less folks with decent health care and less chance or choice for a quality life. Is this what Panurg wants? I seriously doubt it, as I know this poster to be an intelligent and well meaning one, just someone, like most of us, who has not taken the time to really analyze what are the root causes of our failures.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 10:28:17 AM
8 comments
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