Must reads for any free person

B_Nick4444

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Posts
6,849
Media
0
Likes
106
Points
193
Location
San Antonio, TX
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
The thing is, Gross' book was centered on a dichotomy [of trends]. It's interesting, and telling that you cite only the strand which supports your own argument - not that it's without validity of course.

simple reason is the second strand of increasing liberties does not exist; one simply has to compare the set of laws Americans must work under pre-Johnson Administration and post -- most of it proscribing actions and policies, again from the top (read Federal) down; American businesses are also proscribed by law in their refusals to do business

But to return to Gross; evidence of each trend has [arguably] been demonstrated by an insidious and simultaneous erosion of individual freedoms and expansion of the IMC under Bush (or more accurately the Republican right) and the subsequent installation of Obama, repsectively. What Gross might deem a 'reaction against authoritarianism'.

again, the historical record is clear: the greatest erosions against indviduals's civil liberties were the initiatives under the Johnson Administration, in furtherance, inter alia, of their ideological aims concerning women, "minorities", "equal opportunity", et al

I'm not saying I'd fully support such a conclusion, in no small part because campaigning on a platform of 'change' was [perhaps intentionally?] so nebulous as to provide a mandate for whatever subsequent policies Obama chose to persue. Change isn't a policy.

To go back to the above, it wasn't just Bush of course ... and Gross was writing this almost thirty years ago.

indeed -- recent reportage reveals Obama will be retaining several of Bush's policies .. power once obtained is not easily surrendered

While I don't fully agree with Gross, I can't deny there are elements within contemporary US power structures that align with a broad brush interpretation of his thinking. I do agree with him about the relative strengths of the major trends upon which his book was predicated.

It's somewhat unfortunate for Obama that his election coincided (some would deny the use of coincidence here) with the most severe economic downturn in decades. This affords many a perfect vehicle for their bitterness in both losing, and resentment at having a 'socialist' in the Whitehouse.

But it's amusing too, because at the same time many paint Obama as a socialist for expanding Government reach - others use the bailouts [inter alia] to accuse him as seeking to establish some form of psuedo [to use Gross) 'friendly fascist' state. I'd include you among the latter?

I say amusing both because 'friendly fascism' is something of an oxymoron and because so few Americans have any real understanding what socialism/fascism actually means; thus it's an easy and divisive tactic to use.

characteristics of fascism are readily found -- what I would point to the defining operative dynamic is the close nexus and facilitative colloboration between government and, as Gross puts it -- "big business"

the federal transfers of wealth to these multi-nationals clearly evidences Obama's stand

the other aspect of fascism, readily ascribed as a defining characteristic, is nationalism and racism

I know what my response here would be, as well
 

B_Nick4444

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Posts
6,849
Media
0
Likes
106
Points
193
Location
San Antonio, TX
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
I've read them all. All three are great dystopic lit. HG Wells's "The Time Machine" is another favorite of mine.

ah! The Time Machine!

brilliant example of the artist as prophet

exactly what we are seeing -- H.G. Wells warning about the citizenry being turned into passive fodder

exactly what the American educational system has pursued with zeal since the sixties, what with the abandonment of imparting critical thinking, abandoning the inculcation of the values of Western civilization, and the adoption of multiculturalism