4.27.2003
Who runs America? Check out this thought provoking article about American governance:
"Why have the most successful governments disdained the ideals of America's founding fathers in favor of the sometimes cruel efficiency of authoritarianism? Because, Kennon asserts, the world has become so complicated, and the pace of change so rapid, that only highly trained, anonymous technocrats invested with enormous authority are capable of guiding a nation's affairs. To trust unskilled politicians, vulnerable to corruption and ignorant of the most basic rules of governing, with the fate of a nation is, in Kennon's view, the height of folly."
The article is nearly four years old but still very interesting reading. It does have an annoying 'pop-up' that you need to close immediately...
Friendly Fascism, The New Face of Power in America by Bertram Gross (South End Press, 1980, paper) is a very thought provoking book.I see at present members of the Establishment or people on its fringes who, in the name of Americanism, betray the interests of most Americans by fomenting militarism, applauding rat-race individualism, protecting undeserved privilege, or stirring up nationalistic and ethnic hatreds. I see pretended patriots who desecrate the American flag by waving it while waiving the law.
further on
In any First World country of advanced capitalism, the new fascism will be colored by national and cultural heritage, ethnic and religious composition, formal political structure, and geopolitical environment. The Japanese or German versions would be quite different from the Italian variety-and still more different from the British, French, Belgian, Dutch, Australian, Canadian, or Israeli versions. In America, it would be supermodern and multi-ethnic-as American as Madison Avenue, executive luncheons, credit cards, and apple pie. It would be fascism with a smile. As a warning against its cosmetic facade, subtle manipulation, and velvet gloves, I call it friendly fascism. What scares me most is its subtle appeal.
I am worried by those who fail to remember-or have never learned -that Big Business-Big Government partnerships, backed up by other elements, were the central facts behind the power structures of old fascism in the days of Mussolini, Hitler, and the Japanese empire builders.
You can read some excerpts from it here at Third World Traveler. Corporate Conservatism, Friendly Fascism; hey, what's in a name... Oh, pardon, Compassionate Conservatism is the widely touted phrase. My bad.
Written in 1980 but seems pretty current, eh?
Food for thought.
4/27/2003
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Check out Faces for Peace, the online rally. The site seems really kind; it brought a smile to my face that in these troubled times people are taking time to personalize their wish for Peace, putting a human face to their words. I'll probably have my grin up in a day or two... see you there : ).
4/27/2003
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