Everybody should know and understand what is NEOLIBERALISM. It has been destroying governments and democracy for the last half century and is a primary reason we are in this mess. Neoliberalism has the stated goal of denigrating the role of governments to where they are no longer sovereign, but in corporate capture.
Everyone should read Prof. Wendy Brown's book Dancing in the Ruins of Neoliberalism , which is just what we are doing. To understand neoliberalism is to understand what is happening today-corporate power on steroids
Absolutely. I've read Brown's book and she nails it.
But there is a variant, described by Prof. Nancy Fraser as "Progressive Neoliberalism" , where mostly Democrats (and liberals and "progressives") use identity politics ("progressive") to mask their pro-corporate economic, environmental, and pro war foreign and military (neoliberal") policies. Seee:
Interesting to see the word "progressive" tacked in front of neoliberalism. It was a corporate coup d'etat from the outset . It can also been seen as a variant of fascism.
"But there is a variant, described by Prof. Nancy Fraser as "Progressive Neoliberalism" , where mostly Democrats (and liberals and "progressives") use identity politics ("progressive") to mask their pro-corporate economic, environmental, and pro war foreign and military (neoliberal") policies"
But it is not just Democrats (liberals and "progressives) it is also Republicans (conservatives). The political labels mean nothing to those who would destroy our civilization. See my comment below.
"Everybody should know and understand what is NEOLIBERALISM. It has been destroying governments and democracy for the last half century and is a primary reason we are in this mess."
Actually, this process started in earnest at the end of WWII about seventy-eight years ago. The term 'NEOLIBERALISM' is somewhat misleading. Those behind this effort to destroy Western Civilization are neither liberal, conservative, nor any other political persuasion. Their only goal is wealth and power and they have no intention of missing their goal.
>>"Those behind this effort to destroy Western Civilization are neither liberal, conservative, nor any other political persuasion"
People don't need to try to destroy Western civilization. Western civilization will destroy itself on its own if it continues to behave like it currently does.
And people aren't out to "destroy" Western civilization. Only people that have a limited understanding of global history and cultures believe utterly prepostorous and absurd notions like "everyone is out to get us" and other such victimhood narratives.
"And people aren't out to "destroy" Western civilization."
Some people are...if you don't understand that you are not living in reality.
"Only people that have a limited understanding of global history and cultures believe utterly prepostorous and absurd notions like "everyone is out to get us" and other such victimhood narratives."
Where did I say, 'Everyone is out to get us.'??? If you are going to quote me be accurate.
Perhaps you would like to explain why those in control are committing Acts of Societal Disruption, such as open borders, BLM, Antifa, teaching LGBTQ+ for elementary school, support for a titular President who is brain-dead, the ruination of our economy, and many other destructive actions.
>>"Perhaps you would like to explain why those in control are committing..."
I might if your leading questions and implied bias itself wasn't so absurd, and your insinutation and perception of things so corrupted by your apparent bias, and your lack of rationally correlating disparate events and social movements into some "grand theory" so unoriginal and representative of popular right-wing tropes.
Sure - use the trick that politicians do - ask non-sensical questions that don't deserve to be answerd - and then blame people and throw accusations at them for not answering said questions.
It's not a new game you know - of asking stupid questions, waiting for rational people to ignore such questions due to obvious flaws, bias, misleading insinuations and logically fallacious reasoning - and then saying - "Ha - see - you can't answer my question. So I must be right".
Have fun playing your games. I'm not about to encourage you even further.
The goal of wealth/power has been going on for awhile.. One can look at Sabbatai Zevi 1666 the Sabbateans movement, the rothchild connections etc. Most what started back then is comparable of what is going on today. Redemption through Sin
I think they get it completely wrong. It is not the corporations who have captured government, but the other way around. Corporations have no power, governments do.
Governments have learned that they can bribe corporations to do the things that governments are supposedly not allowed to do by law. They contract out to corporations all the dirty deeds and then point the finger at the corporations and say, "it was them!". But it wasn't.
As Mussolini said, Fascism is the melding of government and corporate power. And of course these are Fascists who scream and point at everything and say, "FASCIST!!!"
Which anarcho-capitalist utopia do you live in? Galt’s Gulch, perhaps? Because for the rest of us who live in “The West”, this statement is certifiably false. To be as fair as possible, I agree that in every nation state and in every civilization throughout history, there is or has been a somewhat varied blend between public and private power. But, as a rule, in virtually every historic government in western civilization—go back as far as you like in history—private power has dominated “government”. The slave/master relationship is baked into corporate capitalism. If you don’t think so, and if you live in “the west”, you already know what happens when you fail to pay your mortgage, rent, credit card, medical bills, or car loan, or refuse to go along with any of the policies of your corporate workplace, (like trying to “opt out” of getting the latest vaccine). Or fail to agree to the “terms of service” of any online company. In fact, refusing to do what your corporate masters/rentiers/bankers require will get you *immediate* punishment without even a hint of due process, including no access to credit, fired from your work, de-platformed, forced into homelessness, and jail time. And the government will enforce the rights of those corporations over you with only a very few token exceptions. The fact is that when you work for a corporation, or when you agree to use their services, you abandon virtually all rights. If you are an American, you “voluntarily” give up your Constitutional rights when you engage in commerce.
As a test, please tell me of one U.S. corporation that gives their employees’ rights to free speech, freedom of assembly, privacy, or due process?
Well said JackSirius! I don't understand what deluded realities these people live in where they can conveniently separate different structures of power like "corporations" and "governments".
Tell me which private companies services I need to use or which private company can jail me for my free speech, or which private company can do any of the things government has usurped powers to do, such as force me to trade or restrict who I trade with.
If a bank or software company is a shithole, I don't have to associate with them. if my employer is a Woke shithole, I don't have to work there and will not. there are still alternatives (for now). But it is only government that has the power to memory hole the alternatives, to end my choices and force me to do something I do not want to do.
It cannot be the corporations, it is only government.
"I think they get it completely wrong. It is not the corporations who have captured government, but the other way around. Corporations have no power, governments do."
Excellent point. Those who control us do so through the government. The government gets its money to operate from corporations, a kind of money laundering operation. Not all aspects of government are willing participants. The muscle that makes this possible is the 'Black Bag' agents found in our intelligence networks, CIA, NSA, and the like. This started after WWII and was inaugurated into action in 1947 and has evolved into a dastardly entity known as the Deep State, Power Elite, or whatever you wish to call it. For more information, read 'The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War' by Stephen Kinzer. The Dulles brothers were two of the most evil, influential bastards in modern American history.
Governments AND corporations belong in the same category - they don't compete against each other in the way you think and the simplistic representations you give to them - they unite together to fight against everyone else.
Corporations employ ex-Goverments exployees, just as Governments employ private sector workers from corporations (the proverbial Washington revolving-door policy).
They are, at best, two sides of the same coin - though I would go further and say they are the same side of one coin.
What you are doing is reducing complex relationships and interactions between two systems/structures into ridicously simple and incorrect explanations in an attempt to justify your understanding of how "power" truly works?
Maybe learning a bit about systems of power and truly understanding how Capitalism works will help you make finer distinctions?
Maybe it's part of the tendency in Western culture to taxonomize everything, something about abstract post enlightenment thinking, like where you categorize small things or take apart bigger things in order to understand them? Works fine when you are dealing with industrial machines, falls apart when you are dealing with people and organizations/systems-of-power composed of people.
And maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions and assertions above? If so, please expound on that.
Governments and corporations are made up of many of the same people. It seems nobody who does not have a lot of money even gets elected. I agree with you that they are the same side of one coin.
Yes Sir - whatever you say - you are right. How could I even have the audacity of questioning your logic? Oh! silly me - if only I understood English better, everything you say would instantly make sense and be obvious. Why thank you "Realist" for that scintillating piece of advice. I will definitely take it into consideration and employ your "reasoning" in the service of future deliberations.
Yes indeed but we need to understand that the Neocon Zionists who run the western system of capitalism have always known that the system they run is made legitimate by a fake shallow democracy applauded by a sophisticated mass propaganda system aka the free and fair media
I've been getting lessons about my naivete. I feel such anguish over the genocide. That it's happening without anyone from the USA in the leadership fraternity similarly appalled and nigh on devastated by the naked slaughter of Palestinians astonishes and infuriates me. As hackneyed it is to say it all blows my mind as it squishes my heart. I cannot understand the silence of my two Washington senators - Cantwell and Murray. Not even their staff know why they are silent. It's like they both taken a sound and sight proof room to be in - so removed they are! Zombies. Without the least professional integrity to explaim/rationalize their silence to their constituents. How can your guts, your heart, your mind not be utterly repelled by the naked brutality, even sadism of the Israelis"? And to have your very own supposedly pinnacle representative of the peoples' voice and demands be in cahoots with this ethnic erasure and all it broadcasts - a pure gigantic blotting out of all the stuff engrained in us since kindergarten about the USA as a nation of justice, democracy, freedom. How can Biden, Blinken, Sullivan, McGurt not grok the gross dispicableness of such a huge crime against humanity? What IS the matter with them?
Even I find myself gobsmacked - in the face of an obvious genocide, a humanitarian slaughter we watch every day now - and yet, the majority of American politicians still remain silent. I knew most of the politicians from both parties in Washington DC were corrupt - but so corrupt they would even look the other way in the face of a Genocide? It boggles the mind.
This isn't their first rodeo with Genocides - they (the US) did next to nothing with the Rohingya genocide, same with the Rwandan genocide, actively took part (or had a huge hand to play) in the Genocides of East Timor, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria, etc.
Looking at history, the US seems to often have been a supporter or creator of Genocides - may the most Genocidal country in modern history?
Here’s the problem with your rationalization, John.
Anti-choice are all about the fetus. Once that baby is actually born, it’s on its own.
Think of the millions of children living in poverty and struggling with food insecurity right now, while our money for social services is spent on forever wars. Is this what you want for these babies?
Mao Tse-tung was responsible for an estimated 40 million deaths. Not technically a genocide - but if you're going to point the finger at the US, might be good to look at other mass slaughters in human history as well. Stalin was responsible for an estimated 60 million deaths.
Churchill starved 5 million Bengalis to death, and millions of other Indians as well, so that he could steal their food for Britain..Some estimate he killed nearly 100 million Indians, putting him far ahead of Stalin and Hitler...
Stalin was alive 1878 - 1953. Stalin's systematic mass murder campaign (many he murdered were religious) and his forced labor Gulags killed at least 20 million, but many estimate up to 60 million since there were a massive amount of unrecorded murders- the Gulags happened in the 1920s to the 1950s.
Hitler murdered at least 6 million - the most often quoted, but more modern estimates put it more like at 16 million Hitler systematically murdered.
Mao Tse-tung also 1930s-1960s, responsible for an estimated 40 - 60 million murders.
Yes, I agree the US is responsible for plenty of mass murder these days - but I'm not sure if it is the *most* genocidal. My guess is that title belongs to Mao.
Unless, by Modern you narrow it down to the last few decades ... Although that is not typically how historians coin the term.
Most genocidal = frequency (i.e. number of genocides), not magnitude.
Modern history = let's assume last 500 years?
Also, US inflicted genocides in "foreign states/countries" - NOT their own. (Edit: Actually - I take that back - they were responsible for the Genocide of the Native Americans). And that is a very important distinction.
Also, Russian & Chinese genocides were results of bad policies, incompetency, bad management, etc. Think on that. The causes of these genocides were very different from the genocides perpetrated by the US.
Maybe stop trying to defend the US so desperately and look at things more objectively?
The Holodomor in The Ukraine as it was then, 1932-33, was also a contender for murder numbers, this time by starvation, some of the examples I have read over time were so cruel.
Stalin again. Used the Ukraine as the vegetable bowl for Russia
But yes, Mao would take the prize, I think.
On a positive note for a second....
It is hard to realise what China has done since those days, since the end of WWII. Saw some pictures of structures completed in the last twenty years and it is almost unbelievable. From a WWII peasant environment to what it is today. Just amazing.
It is handy to have a 1.4 billion workforce though.
you seem to have fallen for some anti communist propaganda.
talin was alive 1878 - 1953. Stalin's systematic mass murder campaign (many he murdered were religious) and his forced labor Gulags killed at least 20 million, but many estimate up to 60 million since there were a massive amount of unrecorded murders- the Gulags happened in the 1920s to the 1950s.
Hitler murdered at least 6 million - the most often quoted, but more modern estimates put it more like at 16 million Hitler systematically murdered.
Mao Tse-tung also 1930s-1960s, responsible for an estimated 40 - 60 million murders.
the vastly inflated numbers that anticommies used for Stalin typically included Russian deaths in World War 2. same people miscounted Mao. It's like Ukrainian government sources on Russian casualties, don't trust people who have a vested interest in demonizing the opposition.
piano? now where could you possibly have learned that? Very few US homes have a piano and very few can afford lessons and very few school districts provide lessons.
Perhaps you are an elite bourgeoisie scumbag, and that has colored and poisoned your views on communism?
Not approving of Stalin and Mao but the higher numbers ... 40 - 60m attributed to them is primarily due to famines created by their policies. So technically they didn't kill that many people but made non-war policy decisions that likely led to the deaths. If you go that route, the British were responsible for many genocides. The Bengal famines of the early 20th century were entirely due to British govt policies in India. That's when Churchill, when informed of the large number of deaths due to starvation in Bengal disdainfully said 'It's all their fault. Because they breed like rabbits.'
Nothing new. A cursory reading of history show that humans have always been cruel.
the higher numbers attributed to them were also the result of Western destabilization and efforts to control them, which also were partly responsible for famines.
Politics is not a profession. Lots of good lawyers out there.
Perhaps you might consider the MBA's, CEO,'s Wall Street financial crowd, corporate lobbyists, and corporate "scientists" as the real culprits (and the militarists, geo-strategists and cops and prosecutors)
I agree. I am glad you placed quotation marks around the term corporate "scientists." Actual scientists would never be involved in corrupt or misleading actions. Such doings are anathema to scientists.
You have to understand. We manufacture and support wars in order to sell our WEAPONS OF WAR. Not too hard to understand now is it? It's not about territory like it used to be. Now we just want the cash. However, on the subject of Israel and Gaza, it's just a little 'different'.
It's a good method of wealth distribution but once usury is involved, especially at the genesis of money when it's created as a loan, an entry in a ledger with a fictitious number, then this imaginary money is weaponized to the endless benefit of banksters who can then buy as many politicians as they want. There's always a shortage of money each austerity cycle they put us through. Then we get an insatiable desire for this imaginary money that puts us further and further into unredeemable debt. A bit like drinking sea water to cure thirst. Our lives have been stolen from us so we now spend our time chasing imaginary money while the banksters also capture both sides in wars to secure more debt slavery in both victor & loser. We need happy interest debt-free money to help us create a better world. We can make a start anywhere in the world here: https://www.complementarycurrency.org/
My US Rep, Dan Kildee, along with Detroit-area Debbie Dingell, have both signed Cori’s legislation for ceasefire.
I may be patting myself on the back, but I believe I had a hand in the former. I told his DC office that I hand no problem standing outside his local office with a sign that read DAN KILDEE SUPPORTS GENOCIDE!
Next time I looked on Code Pink’s list of signatories, there he was! 😁
Seems that way doesn’t it? But when I look at how paltry a sum of shekels my boys sold out for, I gotta think that there’s something else at work—most notably, weakness. An inability to listen to their own conscience and live by it. Something most citizens do daily. But it’s too much for politicians to do. Really a death knell for the concept of democracy.
I have long been impressed by how small political bribes are. In the old days of the Texas legislature the boys would sell out for a steak dinner.
Things were very different in my youth because the unions had a lot of money and votes. Pretty much gone except teachers, police, and workers for the states, and those are under constant assault.
For Oregon, Wyden has taken 1.25 mil. Imagine selling out our country and our conscience for such a pitiful amount. Bidip has taken 4 mil. Schumer—1.7 mil. Melendez—2.6 and The Turtle, 2 mil. Boyer and Cruz are about the same—1.5 mil.
Only one of my Senators is a Genocidalist. Merkley stepped up, but Wyden is so disgusting and corrupt it makes me want to puke. And there’s my Rep—Blummenhaur. I really hate to say it but they both are Jews and they both are putting genocide ahead of their constitutional duty. I think that’s treason. But I know who’s behind it—-AIPAC, AIPAC AIPAC.
When I lived in Blumenhauer’s district in the early 2000s, I recall him joining the protests against the war in Iraq. Apparently that’s what years of entrenched power will do to you. I hope you are one of those still attending the peace vigils at Pioneer square every Friday. Dan Handelman’s been organising this for 21 years.
One of the very big reasons this is happening is that we voters have been disenfranchised. The politicians we elect are not accountable to us but to their corporate masters they too whom they have sold their souls. We are seeing the collapse of democracy along with everything else . It is no coincidence Western politicians are so silent and the streets are full of protests the media doesn't report. Liberalism is dead in Western countries.
They are running mushroom farms-keeping us in the dark and feeding us bullshit propaganda
It was an analogy Sue I meant no malice - is there anything a politicians would not do for money? Is there anyone they will not get in bed with no matter how despicable they are?
AIPAC plans to spend $100 million on elections in ‘24 to get their candidates elected. Imagine if a Chinese or Russian group did the same; the outcry would be deafening.
Not that this is any excuse whatsoever. Politicians, as I’ve said before, are “people” who can’t get real jobs.
My take on an old country song, as pertains to Genocide Joe:
Prop me up inside the White House if I die
Lord I know I’m goin’ to hell and I don’t wanna go tonight
Selina. Good comment. It is deeply depressing to understand that so few Govts. speak out against this genocide. You are not alone. I live in Europe and our leaders are very similar.
You might take a look at the political history of what happened to Senator Paul Findley. I’m pretty sure he’s the poster boy for what happens if you cross AIPAC and the like.
The Democrats quickly realized that neoliberalism was more profitable and a lot less work. They cashed in their liberal credentials and turned themselves into useful idiots pimping for the empire’s wars.
There is Dr Cornel West, Dr Jill Stein, and Claudia de la Cruz. But if you mean any who stand a chance of upsetting the electoral rotten apple cart, there’s nobody.
They cannot do otherwise. Those who, through the banking system, control the money with which they control the entire society have designated them all. In addition, they were designed to achieve the precise objective of safeguarding a system aimed at the accumulation of wealth through the profit deriving from the exploitation of labour.
And, when it is no longer possible, due to the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, the system uses financial speculation, the so-called "financial capitalism", through which, to support consumption, i.e. sales, money created out of nothing is lent with interest.
Moreover, when loans are not repaid for the salary does not allow it, what does the system do? The wealth previously produced is taken. With expropriation. In this way the concentration of wealth is progressively increasing. And, as a result, poverty increases.
And the poor are not even free to rise up, because they don't have the resources to do so and must first and foremost think about surviving.
And it goes beyond the individual these days as the financial system of the West holds or controls the cash reserves of many nations who fear they will lose everything if they step out of line. The rise of BRICS, and exchanges in local currencies, are possible ways for more countries to break free of the West.
What's been on full display in this forum is the self-hate of shitlibs having realized they were in the wrong all these years. They voted Hillary in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Some are going to pull the lever for the walking corpse once more in 2024.
These are the "lesser evil" religious zealots. They say one thing but effectively are for the status quo - to save the empire from crumbling by putting some makeup on its ugly mug. Because if they were against it and still preach "lesser evil" then they'd vote Trump. Since that guy is off the rails and would only contribute to its worldwide demise.
But they won't, this bitching type. They're like worms wiggling their "logic" to come up with justifications for their schizo moves. Some are like recovering addicts who all of a sudden become preachers of clean and therewith poop every party.
The worst thing about them is hypocrisy. They will never admit who they are and just continue to play high priests of their twisted religions.
Liberals are in a cult. If they leave the cult, they lose their friends, and maybe their families and their jobs. Plus, the thought of being called Nazi or anti-Semitic terrifies them. OTOH, just a year ago they were accusing the Russians of genocide in Ukraine, and they KNOW the Russians were positively gentle to civilians compared to Israel, and that's breaking their minds.
It's why they're so eager to talk about ANYTHING other than Gaza. Like "Let's get outraged because a Barbie movie didn't win Best Picture!"
I prefer overt assholes (cons) to covert assholes (libs). amazing to observe people that are SO SURE of their righteousness on social issues, so smug and judgmental of the other. We’re all clueless and brainwashed
From my personal experiences with hard partisans the left are definitely the worst. No competition. The right would make an attempt to stop and listen, even if not agreeing in the end. The left just shake and foam at the mouth. Not a pretty sight.
I was very conscious both during, before, and after - as in now, Bill. Unlike you and many others I described in my top comment I have not been emotionally invested in anything political for a very long time, as I realized long ago what a scam it all really is. That's why I find myself in a position of a detached observer, amused at the emotions people waste on the trap created for them by the system.
Those are real emotions and energy affecting people's psychological and physical health, destroying relationships, and generally poisoning their whole existence. And that seems to be what the system wants, really, because it divides the population, keeps it disorganized, and makes it sick in all senses of the word.
I said "amused", as "saddened" part had run its course in due time. The latter would have destroyed me as well. But understanding the nature of things and accepting it is rather helpful.
As to the history of this and that - I'm pretty well-read, Bill. This is not a place for prolonged and productive discussions. I'll just say one universal thing - no one is smart enough to understand everything. Not me, and not you. So your wound-up disposition is not necessarily helpful for as many as you think, but it definitely is hurtful for you.
The nature of your engagement and communication style in the comments sections belies your so-called "detached observer" and "not emotionally invested" lies masquerading as "being objective" assertions. The perfidy of your behavior and obvious biases also repudiate everything you claim to be.
I wish I could verify that. But if it was, maybe because of what the actual drivers of those "wings" were. Maybe that's what defines the fanaticism, hardheadedness, etc of the adherents.
Regardless, the split is always for the benefit of controllers who've been the same for ages.
I remember it. I was in my 20s in Texas. There were so many people who would get genuinely pissed off if you dared criticize Reagan, and the Moral Majority was a thing.
It was a shock to me. Politically, Texas went from the swing state that elected Jimmy Carter to full blown Reagan Country in just four years, and just kept on going.
It's one reason I moved out of the state in the mid-80s.
To be able to abandon one's faulty beliefs which have become core to one's identity (over time) - is indeed a difficult psychological process. Few succeed.
Project 2025. Dismantling the EPA. Just a couple GOP goals.
Some people are genuinely struggling with the grotesque choices that we appear to have this November. Dump would behave NO differently re: Israel. So much viciousness and disdain. Perhaps you are exactly what your handle is telling us and/or a paid troll for Dump.
Yup. Please keep getting the word out on Project 2025 - I'm beginning a series on that (and the Supreme Court's radicalism) to explain what this train wreck will actually do - people really have no idea, because the propagandized people have become so divorced from and hostile to government. I began the introduction of that series a few days ago, see:
We're Shifting Focus Here To Try To Explain What The "Dismantling Of The Administrative State" Would Mean To Daily Life
Your excellent writing on this topic should be widely distributed. Is there a way you could get it published as a series by a major newspaper? It left me profoundly disturbed. I have been trying to promote the necessity of voting for any Democrat, but the genocide in Gaza is making it a hard sell for some. Also, the belief that not participating in the duopoly by voting for a third party will somehow make a difference. It won't change the system and it may help elect one side or another.
It is the system that is the problem. Right, Left, third party.....doesn't matter. In the end they all end up starting wars, not alleviating the poverty the system has created, not cleaning up the environment, not doing anything that would risk them losing power. We need another system.
I think we need a no party system. We need to find a way to put the people in control. I can't really see that happening in the near future, but more parties consisting of rich people, no matter what they claim, will not ultimately change anything.
The editor terminated it! Too radical for prime time! I'm now a pariah.
No way any major newspaper would publish what I write. I'ver reached out to several investigative reporters, writers, and alternative media outlets to pitch this story and volunteer to do background research. Thus far, no response.
"a paid troll for Dump." - did you read my profile description?
That said, there's always a choice, a real one - unregister to vote. That is unequivocal and unambiguous telling to the system: you're corrupt and my name is not associated with you.
How about that, Lisa Harwell? Are you strong enough to make that statement?
Save this comment. You will be singing a very different song 1 year from now, after Trump makes his acceptance speech, issues his first round of Executive Orders, and nominates his Cabinet. That will make the Enabling Law and Chancellor look like child's play. Word. And not from a "shitlib" but a real lefty.
History is a bitch, no? Apparently, you've not read much of it.
BTW, the Israeli's have excellent algorithm based targeting programs, no? - how else can one explain the precision targeting of journalists, academics, doctors, etc? The Gaza slaughter is a weapons testing ground and those same Israeli security forces that deploy these technologies have close connections and have trained US police forces. Trump was ready to deploy in Seattle and DC, so, ..... Is that drama?
Bill, you're a legend, I'm not going to argue with you. You've read everything there is to be read.
Your last paragraph - welcome to great discoveries. Israel has been a workhorse for the US elites. It sucked in Jewish talent from the former eastern bloc and has been a lab for all big IT/science/tech companies. Every major company has numerous Israeli teams working on stuff. Former eastern bloc countries, including Ukraine, have teams working for big companies. When you do stuff, Bill, and it's computerized - your data ends up being handled in Ukraine, among other places. Hope you realize this.
And Trump is a genius, an evil one, despite being dumb and stupid. He knows his algorithms. He's an AI-legend. He's also a dumb pussy grabber. He's coming for everybody. How stupid can one be to believe all that at once?
Can you answer it, Bill? While at it, how's Biden expertise with algorithms? Can he do bubble-sort?
If the left ever lived in America, it lived mostly with Malcolm and the Black radicals. And, yeah it feels like there are dribs and drabs of resurgence now -- a mass urge to differentiate from the empire slime you so ably characterize in this piece. But I worry that's just my heart talking, emoting bubbles of hope that there still is the possibility of tearing these people from the reins of leadership, of power. But mostly I despair of the possibility and see the billious faces of Biden and Netanyahu floating over the planet like giant opacities to human cognitive sunlight.
"If"? There was a real left in the US - including Communist and Socialist parties and Wobblies and anarchists and hippies in addition to the black radicals - but they all were crushed by corporate and State power snd swept down Orwell's memory hole.
I believe that the “liberal Americans” are actively protesting Israel, Biden , Congress actions in Gaza and elsewhere. I know that I am. We have no illusions. I’m not certain “ liberal” is the correct term. I would use good human beings.
Thank you for your post I have never seen the world with such clarity until after Oct7th. I am grateful to be disillusioned. I am distressed and frightened for all humanity. How do remove these multiple layers of oppression?
In the west's Democratic Dictatorships the traditional power elites have now perfected the system of large donor corruption and the manufacture of apparent consent so that voting here is just as meaningless as voting in Russia or North Korea. How the hell do we change it?
Got to get rid of the corruption. Get the money out of politics. But how do you do that? You need some kind of People's Movement - strong enough to withstand the inevitable Establishment assault that will be heavily funded. And your Movement will be undermined by deep state infiltrators. It may already be too late - they are now working on mass censorship and even more draconian State powers. Which means the only way out of a Totalitarian state is through a violent rebellion. Probably won't happen though in our lifetime. But we may not have to worry much about it anyway, since it does seem like Biden and his NeoCon buddies are doing their damndest to start World War III. And guess what? A nuclear war means we're all fucked - you're going to want to be at ground zero - you don't want to be alive after a global nuclear exchange. I say we're now at about 50/50 - closer than we've ever been to such an event. People seem to think World Wars can't happen - pretty much what people thought before the last two world wars - normalcy bias I guess.
Agree - and, sadly, it is often war that forces change - like the Labour party in the UK after WW1 and WW2. Soldiers come back and realise they have been tricked, fighting and dying for a class of rulers who don't care about the people. Sometimes it takes years - in the UK and US people are at last realising that e.g. the reasons given for war in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, or the wars "on terror" or drugs are all fake, gaslighting - the agenda behind them is to make money or carry out revenge attacks or stupid geo-political games played by sociopaths.
yes - some sort of Proportional Representation as well - the problem is that none of our politicians will go for changing the 'first past the post' system for fear of losing their position in the party - i.e. their job
In Russia and NK, and many other countries - Egypt, Iran maybe - there is only one real candidate, or one party as in China - in the UK and the US we used to have "opposition" parties - but now have a fake choice - the 2 parties and candidates all have the same policies and agendas both domestic and foreign. Maybe you know different in Russia?
You answered your own question - in the US and the west there's also one real candidate - deep state, capital, ruling elite (lately a global one), call it whatever. But just one, and it's always been like that. The illusion of a real fight benefitting all people - and it is a fight, just between those people, between groups to have control of the pie distribution - is just that, an illusion.
In many other countries - say Russia - there's no such established behind the scenes force to arrange for the fraud of "democracy". And so it looks more natural, as it were. There's somebody who seems to be doing OK, as excellence is unreachable by definiition, and he is being kept there.
Putin is consistently around 70% approval, and it is not a fake one. There are other people but they are nowhere near as potent as him. The oligarchy which tried to exert more influence in the beginning of 2000s - you've heard Khodorkovsy etc - was put in its place, and hence doesn't play a decisive role. As it shouldn't. We can observe the resuls of such control elsewhere, the US is prime example.
No system can be satisfactory. The "democracy" one without elaborate backstage mechanism looks like one in Russia. Maybe it should drop pretences and just call it something else, to match the reality. But it doesn't seem many care.
In the UK at least, there used to be a proper socialist party with different policies to the conservatives - the Labour Party that enabled our NHS to be created. But over the years it has been gradually moved to the right, by Tony Blair and others, and lately - when we had a real socialist in Jeremy Corbyn, the tactics changed to smear campaigns and dodgy financial deals. Our media constantly tell us that Mr. Putin is a 'dictator' (and 'evil) and can just do whatever he wants - which I always thought was very exaggerated, there are other powerful politicians in Russia I think. But we are not supposed to believe that he is actually popular - although - again from news media - it seems that direct opposition is very difficult, or even dangerous. Maybe it's just that Putin does understand what most people want .... I have a theory that the American government hates China because they are insanely jealous that the Chinese Communist Party is unopposed, and they don't have to waste a lot of time and money on fake elections, they can just do what they want! But I suspect Chinese politics is just as complex as in any other large state, with various factions vying for power.
"there used to be a proper socialist party" - that must be during the WWII or right after, when the war scared people off and the Soviet Union was sort of popular? Well, they took care of it with anti-communist campaign throughout the West.
As to Putin - nothing dangerous in opposing him, and people are. Right now there are several candidates for upcoming elections. But they have no standing with people. They just don't. And especially now with the war - people rightly expect the one who initiated it, made the decision to start, must also be the one to carry it through. It's on Putin and no one feels he should be let go.
yes - it started after WW1, there were quite a few communist supporters in the 30's, then labour became the government after WW2. I can se why people support Putin- did he help control the oligarchs after the big privatisation?
My cousin told me he is a libertarian. He thinks it is the same as being an anarchist. He wants no government so he will not be burdened with rules and regulations. He, like many, do not at all understand that anarchism is about reversing the pyramid. It is about government from the bottom up. It is about changing or eliminating the present system, but it is not, for most, about eliminating any kind of government at all. Looking at the present governments in the world, it does seem like a good idea to get rid of all government. It isn't, in my opinion. We have to change how we govern ourselves, governing ourselves being an important consideration.
Your cousin would be in for a rude awakening if he ever found himself living in a society without any government. It's a libertarian dream fantasy that would within days, turn into a nightmare.
Really have grown tired of this Libertarian shit that government is evil. It's right-wing horseshit. I've been hearing this crap my entire life - at least since Ronald Reagan - you know the mother fucker that dismantled worker's unions, insisted Government was evil - while at the same time this fucker increased the US debt more than any president in US history. Ronald Reagan created a massive US debt - and increased government spending immensely. Hypocrites every one of them.
Well said jamenta! What people don't seem to get is that the "Government is evil" propaganda ploy is used to gut the very system that is responsible for providing a social safety net for the most disadvantaged of us.
So this is the strategy:
(1) Cut government funding and reduce budgets.
(2) Because of these cuts and lowered budgets, governments are unable to provide the support that people need. (There are other factors of course such as corruption, etc.)
(3) Becuase the government cannot provide adequate support due to all these cuts, people suffer. Now, these same people that are proponents of "cuts" and "smaller" governments use the resulting situation (of public dissatisfaction and outrage) to turn around and say - "See! I told you so - Governments are evil and they won't help and support you."
(4) These "see I told you so" people then use this faulty and fallacious logic and reasoning to justify further cuts and expenditures by the Government - thus making the situation worse - something like a negative feedback loop/cycle.
(5) These "see I told you so" people (proponents of small government and cuts) then gaslight the public into supporting the very actions that created the problems in the first place.
(6) And all these people that complain about "government funding" and "government budgets" and consider themselves to be "smart and perceptive and rational thinkers" fail to observe and realize what is happening to them right in front of their eyes - as a consequence of their own support for proponents of "cuts and small government".
Oh, the irony would be so laughable if the consequences weren't so pernicious.
Jesus H your newsletter brings out the boomer trolls. Every time I restock your newsletter there they are, trolling about abortion rights. Meanwhile women in Palestine don't have access to tampons. I mean they really experience a delusional form of cognitive dissonance if they can keep towing the party line as they do. IT DOESN'T GET WORSE THAN GENOCIDE asshats. I am not a Bernie bro. I'm just not going to participate in a corporate duopoly that pits pieces of shit against pieces of shit and nobody benefits.
As a boomer who is not a troll (at least in the sense you speak of) I agree with everything else you say. Abortion rights are (were?) important. I saw no interest among Democrats until they disappeared, and the fund-raising utility for whining outrage about it increased dramatically. If the only candidates for an office are war criminals and genocidaires, you just don’t vote. You aren’t the problem- the system that produces that kind of ‘choice’ is the problem.
Everybody should know and understand what is NEOLIBERALISM. It has been destroying governments and democracy for the last half century and is a primary reason we are in this mess. Neoliberalism has the stated goal of denigrating the role of governments to where they are no longer sovereign, but in corporate capture.
Everyone should read Prof. Wendy Brown's book Dancing in the Ruins of Neoliberalism , which is just what we are doing. To understand neoliberalism is to understand what is happening today-corporate power on steroids
Absolutely. I've read Brown's book and she nails it.
But there is a variant, described by Prof. Nancy Fraser as "Progressive Neoliberalism" , where mostly Democrats (and liberals and "progressives") use identity politics ("progressive") to mask their pro-corporate economic, environmental, and pro war foreign and military (neoliberal") policies. Seee:
The End of Progressive Neoliberalism
https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/progressive-neoliberalism-reactionary-populism-nancy-fraser/
From Progressive Neoliberalism to Trump—and Beyond
https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2017/11/progressive-neoliberalism-trump-beyond/
Interesting to see the word "progressive" tacked in front of neoliberalism. It was a corporate coup d'etat from the outset . It can also been seen as a variant of fascism.
Read Fraser's works. She fully understands that.
"But there is a variant, described by Prof. Nancy Fraser as "Progressive Neoliberalism" , where mostly Democrats (and liberals and "progressives") use identity politics ("progressive") to mask their pro-corporate economic, environmental, and pro war foreign and military (neoliberal") policies"
But it is not just Democrats (liberals and "progressives) it is also Republicans (conservatives). The political labels mean nothing to those who would destroy our civilization. See my comment below.
Well, yes, the problem is the Deep State.
The US deep-state is truly a "Chosen One" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The neoliberal oligarchs (aka “donors” in attached article)) are done with that now:
https://www.philanthropy.com/article/diversity-work-isnt-working-its-time-to-consider-a-new-approach
See above article and connect the dots with what the same overlords are paying the Supreme Court to do now:
"Everybody should know and understand what is NEOLIBERALISM. It has been destroying governments and democracy for the last half century and is a primary reason we are in this mess."
Actually, this process started in earnest at the end of WWII about seventy-eight years ago. The term 'NEOLIBERALISM' is somewhat misleading. Those behind this effort to destroy Western Civilization are neither liberal, conservative, nor any other political persuasion. Their only goal is wealth and power and they have no intention of missing their goal.
>>"Those behind this effort to destroy Western Civilization are neither liberal, conservative, nor any other political persuasion"
People don't need to try to destroy Western civilization. Western civilization will destroy itself on its own if it continues to behave like it currently does.
And people aren't out to "destroy" Western civilization. Only people that have a limited understanding of global history and cultures believe utterly prepostorous and absurd notions like "everyone is out to get us" and other such victimhood narratives.
"And people aren't out to "destroy" Western civilization."
Some people are...if you don't understand that you are not living in reality.
"Only people that have a limited understanding of global history and cultures believe utterly prepostorous and absurd notions like "everyone is out to get us" and other such victimhood narratives."
Where did I say, 'Everyone is out to get us.'??? If you are going to quote me be accurate.
Perhaps you would like to explain why those in control are committing Acts of Societal Disruption, such as open borders, BLM, Antifa, teaching LGBTQ+ for elementary school, support for a titular President who is brain-dead, the ruination of our economy, and many other destructive actions.
>>"Perhaps you would like to explain why those in control are committing..."
I might if your leading questions and implied bias itself wasn't so absurd, and your insinutation and perception of things so corrupted by your apparent bias, and your lack of rationally correlating disparate events and social movements into some "grand theory" so unoriginal and representative of popular right-wing tropes.
In other words, you have no explanation.
Sure - use the trick that politicians do - ask non-sensical questions that don't deserve to be answerd - and then blame people and throw accusations at them for not answering said questions.
It's not a new game you know - of asking stupid questions, waiting for rational people to ignore such questions due to obvious flaws, bias, misleading insinuations and logically fallacious reasoning - and then saying - "Ha - see - you can't answer my question. So I must be right".
Have fun playing your games. I'm not about to encourage you even further.
The goal of wealth/power has been going on for awhile.. One can look at Sabbatai Zevi 1666 the Sabbateans movement, the rothchild connections etc. Most what started back then is comparable of what is going on today. Redemption through Sin
"The goal of wealth/power has been going on for awhile."
Yes, indeed, rapacious megalomania is nothing new.
Thanks for the book suggestion Robert Billyard - seems like an interesting read.
BTW, the book is: "In the Ruins of Neoliberalism: The Rise of Antidemocratic Politics in the West" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43019677-in-the-ruins-of-neoliberalism)
I would also suggest Philip Mirowski: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2303-never-let-a-serious-crisis-go-to-waste
That title sounds a lot like “The Shock Doctrine,” by Naomi Klein. Well worth a read.
I think they get it completely wrong. It is not the corporations who have captured government, but the other way around. Corporations have no power, governments do.
Governments have learned that they can bribe corporations to do the things that governments are supposedly not allowed to do by law. They contract out to corporations all the dirty deeds and then point the finger at the corporations and say, "it was them!". But it wasn't.
As Mussolini said, Fascism is the melding of government and corporate power. And of course these are Fascists who scream and point at everything and say, "FASCIST!!!"
“Corporations have no power, governments do.”
Which anarcho-capitalist utopia do you live in? Galt’s Gulch, perhaps? Because for the rest of us who live in “The West”, this statement is certifiably false. To be as fair as possible, I agree that in every nation state and in every civilization throughout history, there is or has been a somewhat varied blend between public and private power. But, as a rule, in virtually every historic government in western civilization—go back as far as you like in history—private power has dominated “government”. The slave/master relationship is baked into corporate capitalism. If you don’t think so, and if you live in “the west”, you already know what happens when you fail to pay your mortgage, rent, credit card, medical bills, or car loan, or refuse to go along with any of the policies of your corporate workplace, (like trying to “opt out” of getting the latest vaccine). Or fail to agree to the “terms of service” of any online company. In fact, refusing to do what your corporate masters/rentiers/bankers require will get you *immediate* punishment without even a hint of due process, including no access to credit, fired from your work, de-platformed, forced into homelessness, and jail time. And the government will enforce the rights of those corporations over you with only a very few token exceptions. The fact is that when you work for a corporation, or when you agree to use their services, you abandon virtually all rights. If you are an American, you “voluntarily” give up your Constitutional rights when you engage in commerce.
As a test, please tell me of one U.S. corporation that gives their employees’ rights to free speech, freedom of assembly, privacy, or due process?
Well said JackSirius! I don't understand what deluded realities these people live in where they can conveniently separate different structures of power like "corporations" and "governments".
Tell me which private companies services I need to use or which private company can jail me for my free speech, or which private company can do any of the things government has usurped powers to do, such as force me to trade or restrict who I trade with.
If a bank or software company is a shithole, I don't have to associate with them. if my employer is a Woke shithole, I don't have to work there and will not. there are still alternatives (for now). But it is only government that has the power to memory hole the alternatives, to end my choices and force me to do something I do not want to do.
It cannot be the corporations, it is only government.
"I think they get it completely wrong. It is not the corporations who have captured government, but the other way around. Corporations have no power, governments do."
Excellent point. Those who control us do so through the government. The government gets its money to operate from corporations, a kind of money laundering operation. Not all aspects of government are willing participants. The muscle that makes this possible is the 'Black Bag' agents found in our intelligence networks, CIA, NSA, and the like. This started after WWII and was inaugurated into action in 1947 and has evolved into a dastardly entity known as the Deep State, Power Elite, or whatever you wish to call it. For more information, read 'The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War' by Stephen Kinzer. The Dulles brothers were two of the most evil, influential bastards in modern American history.
Governments AND corporations belong in the same category - they don't compete against each other in the way you think and the simplistic representations you give to them - they unite together to fight against everyone else.
Corporations employ ex-Goverments exployees, just as Governments employ private sector workers from corporations (the proverbial Washington revolving-door policy).
They are, at best, two sides of the same coin - though I would go further and say they are the same side of one coin.
What you are doing is reducing complex relationships and interactions between two systems/structures into ridicously simple and incorrect explanations in an attempt to justify your understanding of how "power" truly works?
Maybe learning a bit about systems of power and truly understanding how Capitalism works will help you make finer distinctions?
Maybe it's part of the tendency in Western culture to taxonomize everything, something about abstract post enlightenment thinking, like where you categorize small things or take apart bigger things in order to understand them? Works fine when you are dealing with industrial machines, falls apart when you are dealing with people and organizations/systems-of-power composed of people.
And maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions and assertions above? If so, please expound on that.
Governments and corporations are made up of many of the same people. It seems nobody who does not have a lot of money even gets elected. I agree with you that they are the same side of one coin.
Governments and corporations may have an incestuous relationship, but the government is in control.
not sure about that. I think money is in control
I really do not like the way you insist on saying over and over that Jews and Zionists are the same. I know many Jews who are not Zionists.
"And maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions and assertions above? If so, please expound on that."
I explained my position and why I hold it. You seem to be incapable of understanding English.
Yes Sir - whatever you say - you are right. How could I even have the audacity of questioning your logic? Oh! silly me - if only I understood English better, everything you say would instantly make sense and be obvious. Why thank you "Realist" for that scintillating piece of advice. I will definitely take it into consideration and employ your "reasoning" in the service of future deliberations.
You are an obnoxious little fuck. With the childish habit of misquoting me.
Yes indeed but we need to understand that the Neocon Zionists who run the western system of capitalism have always known that the system they run is made legitimate by a fake shallow democracy applauded by a sophisticated mass propaganda system aka the free and fair media
Neoliberalism - this is what he is talking about, not campaign corruption [cough] "finance".
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/aug/18/neoliberalism-the-idea-that-changed-the-world
MA, you reduced Neoliberal shortcomings as the result of straightened finances. How utterly telling. Neoliberals worship Mamon.
I agree
Do you worship Mamon?
I've been getting lessons about my naivete. I feel such anguish over the genocide. That it's happening without anyone from the USA in the leadership fraternity similarly appalled and nigh on devastated by the naked slaughter of Palestinians astonishes and infuriates me. As hackneyed it is to say it all blows my mind as it squishes my heart. I cannot understand the silence of my two Washington senators - Cantwell and Murray. Not even their staff know why they are silent. It's like they both taken a sound and sight proof room to be in - so removed they are! Zombies. Without the least professional integrity to explaim/rationalize their silence to their constituents. How can your guts, your heart, your mind not be utterly repelled by the naked brutality, even sadism of the Israelis"? And to have your very own supposedly pinnacle representative of the peoples' voice and demands be in cahoots with this ethnic erasure and all it broadcasts - a pure gigantic blotting out of all the stuff engrained in us since kindergarten about the USA as a nation of justice, democracy, freedom. How can Biden, Blinken, Sullivan, McGurt not grok the gross dispicableness of such a huge crime against humanity? What IS the matter with them?
Even I find myself gobsmacked - in the face of an obvious genocide, a humanitarian slaughter we watch every day now - and yet, the majority of American politicians still remain silent. I knew most of the politicians from both parties in Washington DC were corrupt - but so corrupt they would even look the other way in the face of a Genocide? It boggles the mind.
This isn't their first rodeo with Genocides - they (the US) did next to nothing with the Rohingya genocide, same with the Rwandan genocide, actively took part (or had a huge hand to play) in the Genocides of East Timor, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria, etc.
Looking at history, the US seems to often have been a supporter or creator of Genocides - may the most Genocidal country in modern history?
Plus we started in genocide—otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to “discover”and homestead the West.
Bingo. We're the best at it too, (and don't forget it!).
Right on Jeano! This country was built on genocide and the backs of the enslaved!
Not to mention Yemen a few years ago.
Don’t forget the genocide of the preborn. 60,000,000+ in the US alone. Since 1973.
Russia is seeking to eliminate abortion.
Hahahahahahahahaha.
Here’s the problem with your rationalization, John.
Anti-choice are all about the fetus. Once that baby is actually born, it’s on its own.
Think of the millions of children living in poverty and struggling with food insecurity right now, while our money for social services is spent on forever wars. Is this what you want for these babies?
Mao Tse-tung was responsible for an estimated 40 million deaths. Not technically a genocide - but if you're going to point the finger at the US, might be good to look at other mass slaughters in human history as well. Stalin was responsible for an estimated 60 million deaths.
The Armenian genocide was also in the millions.
Yes, I never said the US is the only country to have committed Genocide - just the most genocidal country in modern history.
Churchill starved 5 million Bengalis to death, and millions of other Indians as well, so that he could steal their food for Britain..Some estimate he killed nearly 100 million Indians, putting him far ahead of Stalin and Hitler...
what about the Irish .... and Conrad tells a story too.
Stalin was alive 1878 - 1953. Stalin's systematic mass murder campaign (many he murdered were religious) and his forced labor Gulags killed at least 20 million, but many estimate up to 60 million since there were a massive amount of unrecorded murders- the Gulags happened in the 1920s to the 1950s.
Hitler murdered at least 6 million - the most often quoted, but more modern estimates put it more like at 16 million Hitler systematically murdered.
Mao Tse-tung also 1930s-1960s, responsible for an estimated 40 - 60 million murders.
Yes, I agree the US is responsible for plenty of mass murder these days - but I'm not sure if it is the *most* genocidal. My guess is that title belongs to Mao.
Unless, by Modern you narrow it down to the last few decades ... Although that is not typically how historians coin the term.
Most genocidal = frequency (i.e. number of genocides), not magnitude.
Modern history = let's assume last 500 years?
Also, US inflicted genocides in "foreign states/countries" - NOT their own. (Edit: Actually - I take that back - they were responsible for the Genocide of the Native Americans). And that is a very important distinction.
Also, Russian & Chinese genocides were results of bad policies, incompetency, bad management, etc. Think on that. The causes of these genocides were very different from the genocides perpetrated by the US.
Maybe stop trying to defend the US so desperately and look at things more objectively?
Jamenta
The Holodomor in The Ukraine as it was then, 1932-33, was also a contender for murder numbers, this time by starvation, some of the examples I have read over time were so cruel.
Stalin again. Used the Ukraine as the vegetable bowl for Russia
But yes, Mao would take the prize, I think.
On a positive note for a second....
It is hard to realise what China has done since those days, since the end of WWII. Saw some pictures of structures completed in the last twenty years and it is almost unbelievable. From a WWII peasant environment to what it is today. Just amazing.
It is handy to have a 1.4 billion workforce though.
You just did exactly what I criticized in my reply your prior comment.
Very big difference between "mass slaughters" and genocide. Too many people conflate them to smear Communism and defend western Imperialism.
exactly.
To many people are delusional when regarding the evils of Capitalism by assuming Communism is some kind of fairy tail of Unicorn goodness.
You are naive as fuck.
you seem to have fallen for some anti communist propaganda.
talin was alive 1878 - 1953. Stalin's systematic mass murder campaign (many he murdered were religious) and his forced labor Gulags killed at least 20 million, but many estimate up to 60 million since there were a massive amount of unrecorded murders- the Gulags happened in the 1920s to the 1950s.
Hitler murdered at least 6 million - the most often quoted, but more modern estimates put it more like at 16 million Hitler systematically murdered.
Mao Tse-tung also 1930s-1960s, responsible for an estimated 40 - 60 million murders.
the vastly inflated numbers that anticommies used for Stalin typically included Russian deaths in World War 2. same people miscounted Mao. It's like Ukrainian government sources on Russian casualties, don't trust people who have a vested interest in demonizing the opposition.
piano? now where could you possibly have learned that? Very few US homes have a piano and very few can afford lessons and very few school districts provide lessons.
Perhaps you are an elite bourgeoisie scumbag, and that has colored and poisoned your views on communism?
and your mind was poisoned into the false belief that Stalinism was Communism.
Indeed, the world is full of assholes.
Not approving of Stalin and Mao but the higher numbers ... 40 - 60m attributed to them is primarily due to famines created by their policies. So technically they didn't kill that many people but made non-war policy decisions that likely led to the deaths. If you go that route, the British were responsible for many genocides. The Bengal famines of the early 20th century were entirely due to British govt policies in India. That's when Churchill, when informed of the large number of deaths due to starvation in Bengal disdainfully said 'It's all their fault. Because they breed like rabbits.'
Nothing new. A cursory reading of history show that humans have always been cruel.
the higher numbers attributed to them were also the result of Western destabilization and efforts to control them, which also were partly responsible for famines.
The British Empire by some academic estimates reached nearly 200 MILLION victims - what do you think the French, Spanish, Belgium also "achieved"?
Kinda puts those "Official Tut Tut" numbers to shame.
America is catching up rapidly.
jamenta: I don't see how pointing the finger at other bad guys is doing much about what is going on NOW.
Sorry, I'll only point the finger at Israel and the US. Let me know if I make any further mistakes.
point the finger at the capitalists who have been demonizing Russia for a hundred years while you're at it.
They're not silent: many are actively in support or attacking the Pro-Palestinian people and protesters.
Politicians not taking a stand against powerful evildoers? I'm not at all surprised.
The only profession I can think of that is probably even lower down the ladder would be Lawyers.
Jamenta, don’t trash lawyers until you need one!
For me, it was a traumatic whiplash accident.
I know, I know. Couldn't resist. Mia Culpa!
Politics is not a profession. Lots of good lawyers out there.
Perhaps you might consider the MBA's, CEO,'s Wall Street financial crowd, corporate lobbyists, and corporate "scientists" as the real culprits (and the militarists, geo-strategists and cops and prosecutors)
"Politics is not a profession."
Sure it is - these days it pays quite well.
I agree. I am glad you placed quotation marks around the term corporate "scientists." Actual scientists would never be involved in corrupt or misleading actions. Such doings are anathema to scientists.
You have to understand. We manufacture and support wars in order to sell our WEAPONS OF WAR. Not too hard to understand now is it? It's not about territory like it used to be. Now we just want the cash. However, on the subject of Israel and Gaza, it's just a little 'different'.
It completely boggles mind as well.
Corruption for me is synonymous with money, legalized bribery - money, the root of all evil.
The correct quote is "Love of money is the root of all evil."
Money itself is neutral. It can do a lot of good, but also a lot of evil.
It's a good method of wealth distribution but once usury is involved, especially at the genesis of money when it's created as a loan, an entry in a ledger with a fictitious number, then this imaginary money is weaponized to the endless benefit of banksters who can then buy as many politicians as they want. There's always a shortage of money each austerity cycle they put us through. Then we get an insatiable desire for this imaginary money that puts us further and further into unredeemable debt. A bit like drinking sea water to cure thirst. Our lives have been stolen from us so we now spend our time chasing imaginary money while the banksters also capture both sides in wars to secure more debt slavery in both victor & loser. We need happy interest debt-free money to help us create a better world. We can make a start anywhere in the world here: https://www.complementarycurrency.org/
Yes - good call. It's really the lust for it as you say.
Right, Jamenta. We’re happy enough to be able to pay our bills and if we’re lucky, have a bit left.
That being said, if I ever win the lottery, I’M BUYING CONGRESS! 😁
the Lust for Money's
where the Root
of all Evil lies
.
it's just
a Tool.
oh.
okay.
so what
makes a tool
'Evil,' then? can
a Hammer be evil?
I looked up my Wyden—he’s about 4th down under Bidip for greatest amount taken from AIPAC.
My US Rep, Dan Kildee, along with Detroit-area Debbie Dingell, have both signed Cori’s legislation for ceasefire.
I may be patting myself on the back, but I believe I had a hand in the former. I told his DC office that I hand no problem standing outside his local office with a sign that read DAN KILDEE SUPPORTS GENOCIDE!
Next time I looked on Code Pink’s list of signatories, there he was! 😁
Seems that way doesn’t it? But when I look at how paltry a sum of shekels my boys sold out for, I gotta think that there’s something else at work—most notably, weakness. An inability to listen to their own conscience and live by it. Something most citizens do daily. But it’s too much for politicians to do. Really a death knell for the concept of democracy.
I have long been impressed by how small political bribes are. In the old days of the Texas legislature the boys would sell out for a steak dinner.
Things were very different in my youth because the unions had a lot of money and votes. Pretty much gone except teachers, police, and workers for the states, and those are under constant assault.
How much money did AIPAC donate to your Senators?
For Oregon, Wyden has taken 1.25 mil. Imagine selling out our country and our conscience for such a pitiful amount. Bidip has taken 4 mil. Schumer—1.7 mil. Melendez—2.6 and The Turtle, 2 mil. Boyer and Cruz are about the same—1.5 mil.
Wyden took over from Bob Packwood as the Senator from Israel in Oregon. He’s been beating the war with Iran drums for 30 years.
Only one of my Senators is a Genocidalist. Merkley stepped up, but Wyden is so disgusting and corrupt it makes me want to puke. And there’s my Rep—Blummenhaur. I really hate to say it but they both are Jews and they both are putting genocide ahead of their constitutional duty. I think that’s treason. But I know who’s behind it—-AIPAC, AIPAC AIPAC.
When I lived in Blumenhauer’s district in the early 2000s, I recall him joining the protests against the war in Iraq. Apparently that’s what years of entrenched power will do to you. I hope you are one of those still attending the peace vigils at Pioneer square every Friday. Dan Handelman’s been organising this for 21 years.
One of the very big reasons this is happening is that we voters have been disenfranchised. The politicians we elect are not accountable to us but to their corporate masters they too whom they have sold their souls. We are seeing the collapse of democracy along with everything else . It is no coincidence Western politicians are so silent and the streets are full of protests the media doesn't report. Liberalism is dead in Western countries.
They are running mushroom farms-keeping us in the dark and feeding us bullshit propaganda
If these people aren't possessed by demons, they might as well be....They care only about money and power...
All politicians are whores who'll sleep with anyone for a buck - even the enemy!
Most whores are way more honourable than any politician. Sad that you use women to insult people who are mostly men that you don't like.
It was an analogy Sue I meant no malice - is there anything a politicians would not do for money? Is there anyone they will not get in bed with no matter how despicable they are?
Well, it was malicious, whether you meant it or not. And my name is not Sue, altho I doubt that would matter to you.
Ouch!
Hi Selina
It’s the Benjamins, remember?
AIPAC plans to spend $100 million on elections in ‘24 to get their candidates elected. Imagine if a Chinese or Russian group did the same; the outcry would be deafening.
Not that this is any excuse whatsoever. Politicians, as I’ve said before, are “people” who can’t get real jobs.
My take on an old country song, as pertains to Genocide Joe:
Prop me up inside the White House if I die
Lord I know I’m goin’ to hell and I don’t wanna go tonight
Fill my shoes up with sand
Put AIPAC money in my hand..
Prop me up inside the White House if I die.
PS I suspect this has already happened.
Selina. Good comment. It is deeply depressing to understand that so few Govts. speak out against this genocide. You are not alone. I live in Europe and our leaders are very similar.
You might take a look at the political history of what happened to Senator Paul Findley. I’m pretty sure he’s the poster boy for what happens if you cross AIPAC and the like.
Same here, Selina. Same here. :(
The Democrats quickly realized that neoliberalism was more profitable and a lot less work. They cashed in their liberal credentials and turned themselves into useful idiots pimping for the empire’s wars.
Read more here: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v28/n18/tony-judt/bush-s-useful-idiots
The longer this genocide drags on the uglier it's going to get for the Democrats, and particularly Joe Biden. Hello Trump.
The left in so many countries has become the faux left. We who are actually on the left are politically without a home.
There is Dr Cornel West, Dr Jill Stein, and Claudia de la Cruz. But if you mean any who stand a chance of upsetting the electoral rotten apple cart, there’s nobody.
Not totally without a political home. Check out the Green Party US. Jill Stein is a vocal opponent of genocide. www.jillstein2024.com
I'm in Canada and the Green Party isn't quite the same here.
Diana van Eyk.
Here in France I just read that Melanchon (Socialist) is agreeing with many things that Macron is doing.
Makes me want to vote Communism!
Ugh! France too. What has happened to the left?! So many of us are politically homeless.
Yes we are. I don't know which country you come from in Europe but I look at the election of Gert Wilders. Have you all lost your minds.
I'm in Canada, and same situation here too.
Yes I see that.?????????????
Didn't you just say you weren't sure what European country I was from? Just offering clarification...
Melanchon knows full well that France is a puppet state and he knows what the puppetmaster wants to hear.
Yes.
So true!
They cannot do otherwise. Those who, through the banking system, control the money with which they control the entire society have designated them all. In addition, they were designed to achieve the precise objective of safeguarding a system aimed at the accumulation of wealth through the profit deriving from the exploitation of labour.
And, when it is no longer possible, due to the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, the system uses financial speculation, the so-called "financial capitalism", through which, to support consumption, i.e. sales, money created out of nothing is lent with interest.
Moreover, when loans are not repaid for the salary does not allow it, what does the system do? The wealth previously produced is taken. With expropriation. In this way the concentration of wealth is progressively increasing. And, as a result, poverty increases.
And the poor are not even free to rise up, because they don't have the resources to do so and must first and foremost think about surviving.
It is the “slavery” of capitalism.
And it goes beyond the individual these days as the financial system of the West holds or controls the cash reserves of many nations who fear they will lose everything if they step out of line. The rise of BRICS, and exchanges in local currencies, are possible ways for more countries to break free of the West.
So true!
Completely agree Rodolfo Marusi Guareschi. Well said!
Shitlibs are the absolute worst
Agreed.
What's been on full display in this forum is the self-hate of shitlibs having realized they were in the wrong all these years. They voted Hillary in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Some are going to pull the lever for the walking corpse once more in 2024.
These are the "lesser evil" religious zealots. They say one thing but effectively are for the status quo - to save the empire from crumbling by putting some makeup on its ugly mug. Because if they were against it and still preach "lesser evil" then they'd vote Trump. Since that guy is off the rails and would only contribute to its worldwide demise.
But they won't, this bitching type. They're like worms wiggling their "logic" to come up with justifications for their schizo moves. Some are like recovering addicts who all of a sudden become preachers of clean and therewith poop every party.
The worst thing about them is hypocrisy. They will never admit who they are and just continue to play high priests of their twisted religions.
Liberals are in a cult. If they leave the cult, they lose their friends, and maybe their families and their jobs. Plus, the thought of being called Nazi or anti-Semitic terrifies them. OTOH, just a year ago they were accusing the Russians of genocide in Ukraine, and they KNOW the Russians were positively gentle to civilians compared to Israel, and that's breaking their minds.
It's why they're so eager to talk about ANYTHING other than Gaza. Like "Let's get outraged because a Barbie movie didn't win Best Picture!"
I prefer overt assholes (cons) to covert assholes (libs). amazing to observe people that are SO SURE of their righteousness on social issues, so smug and judgmental of the other. We’re all clueless and brainwashed
From my personal experiences with hard partisans the left are definitely the worst. No competition. The right would make an attempt to stop and listen, even if not agreeing in the end. The left just shake and foam at the mouth. Not a pretty sight.
Were you conscious during the Trump Presidency?
Have you read "Project 2025" by the Heritage Foundation, which will serve as the policy agenda for the second Trump term?
Have you read any books on the history of fascism?
I was very conscious both during, before, and after - as in now, Bill. Unlike you and many others I described in my top comment I have not been emotionally invested in anything political for a very long time, as I realized long ago what a scam it all really is. That's why I find myself in a position of a detached observer, amused at the emotions people waste on the trap created for them by the system.
Those are real emotions and energy affecting people's psychological and physical health, destroying relationships, and generally poisoning their whole existence. And that seems to be what the system wants, really, because it divides the population, keeps it disorganized, and makes it sick in all senses of the word.
I said "amused", as "saddened" part had run its course in due time. The latter would have destroyed me as well. But understanding the nature of things and accepting it is rather helpful.
As to the history of this and that - I'm pretty well-read, Bill. This is not a place for prolonged and productive discussions. I'll just say one universal thing - no one is smart enough to understand everything. Not me, and not you. So your wound-up disposition is not necessarily helpful for as many as you think, but it definitely is hurtful for you.
The nature of your engagement and communication style in the comments sections belies your so-called "detached observer" and "not emotionally invested" lies masquerading as "being objective" assertions. The perfidy of your behavior and obvious biases also repudiate everything you claim to be.
You're not supposed to look at and "analyze" my comments. I'm going to honor your failing commitment and ignore yours. Enjoy.
"Were you conscious during the Trump Presidency?"
Jesus - you really are a know-it-all dickwad.
Just 40 years ago it was the reverse. Oh well, like the song says, the party on the right is now the party on the left, don't get fooled again, etc.
I wish I could verify that. But if it was, maybe because of what the actual drivers of those "wings" were. Maybe that's what defines the fanaticism, hardheadedness, etc of the adherents.
Regardless, the split is always for the benefit of controllers who've been the same for ages.
I remember it. I was in my 20s in Texas. There were so many people who would get genuinely pissed off if you dared criticize Reagan, and the Moral Majority was a thing.
It was a shock to me. Politically, Texas went from the swing state that elected Jimmy Carter to full blown Reagan Country in just four years, and just kept on going.
It's one reason I moved out of the state in the mid-80s.
It's really simple to verify that if you actually did some research and read books.
Here's a book suggestion: "Why We're Polarized" by Ezra Klein (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52098718-why-we-re-polarized)
Chapter 1: How Democrats Became Liberals and Republicans Became Conservatives.
Chapter 2: The Dixiecrat Dilemma
There are so many other books and resources - but you do have to make an effort.
To be able to abandon one's faulty beliefs which have become core to one's identity (over time) - is indeed a difficult psychological process. Few succeed.
It's a sign of a strong character if done sincerely.
Project 2025. Dismantling the EPA. Just a couple GOP goals.
Some people are genuinely struggling with the grotesque choices that we appear to have this November. Dump would behave NO differently re: Israel. So much viciousness and disdain. Perhaps you are exactly what your handle is telling us and/or a paid troll for Dump.
Here we go. That fearmongering. Every four years, it's the exact same thing to put fear onto people to "Vote Blue No Matter Who."
No, we're tired of that. If it isn't 2025, it'll be 2029. Or 2033. We're all screwed regardless, & Democrats can't win all of the time.
Sure, trumpbot
I don't even support Trump or Republicans at all. The deflection is hilarious. 😂
https://open.substack.com/pub/bwolfe/p/were-shifting-focus-here-to-try-to?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=twspk
Guess who's contributing to that? Biden. Who you foolishly & blindly support.
Really making a difference, whatever your bag.
Yup. Please keep getting the word out on Project 2025 - I'm beginning a series on that (and the Supreme Court's radicalism) to explain what this train wreck will actually do - people really have no idea, because the propagandized people have become so divorced from and hostile to government. I began the introduction of that series a few days ago, see:
We're Shifting Focus Here To Try To Explain What The "Dismantling Of The Administrative State" Would Mean To Daily Life
https://bwolfe.substack.com/p/were-shifting-focus-here-to-try-to
Your excellent writing on this topic should be widely distributed. Is there a way you could get it published as a series by a major newspaper? It left me profoundly disturbed. I have been trying to promote the necessity of voting for any Democrat, but the genocide in Gaza is making it a hard sell for some. Also, the belief that not participating in the duopoly by voting for a third party will somehow make a difference. It won't change the system and it may help elect one side or another.
It is the system that is the problem. Right, Left, third party.....doesn't matter. In the end they all end up starting wars, not alleviating the poverty the system has created, not cleaning up the environment, not doing anything that would risk them losing power. We need another system.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bwolfe/p/were-shifting-focus-here-to-try-to?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=twspk
This year.
Yes, we need a multiparty system. But, one party will eliminate the EPA and enact their Project 2025. The other won't.
I think we need a no party system. We need to find a way to put the people in control. I can't really see that happening in the near future, but more parties consisting of rich people, no matter what they claim, will not ultimately change anything.
I once was a regular "expert source" and even had a column as a "Citizen journalist" at the Newark Star Ledger (see:
https://www.nj.com/njv_bill_wolfe/page/about_the_author.html
The editor terminated it! Too radical for prime time! I'm now a pariah.
No way any major newspaper would publish what I write. I'ver reached out to several investigative reporters, writers, and alternative media outlets to pitch this story and volunteer to do background research. Thus far, no response.
"a paid troll for Dump." - did you read my profile description?
That said, there's always a choice, a real one - unregister to vote. That is unequivocal and unambiguous telling to the system: you're corrupt and my name is not associated with you.
How about that, Lisa Harwell? Are you strong enough to make that statement?
So stupid.
Save this comment. You will be singing a very different song 1 year from now, after Trump makes his acceptance speech, issues his first round of Executive Orders, and nominates his Cabinet. That will make the Enabling Law and Chancellor look like child's play. Word. And not from a "shitlib" but a real lefty.
I'm shaking in my boots, Bill. I'm looking up for a suitable lyrics to match the song. Unless they make me come up with my own.
Don't be so dramatic, Bill. Time to grow up and be an adult for a change.
History is a bitch, no? Apparently, you've not read much of it.
BTW, the Israeli's have excellent algorithm based targeting programs, no? - how else can one explain the precision targeting of journalists, academics, doctors, etc? The Gaza slaughter is a weapons testing ground and those same Israeli security forces that deploy these technologies have close connections and have trained US police forces. Trump was ready to deploy in Seattle and DC, so, ..... Is that drama?
Bill, you're a legend, I'm not going to argue with you. You've read everything there is to be read.
Your last paragraph - welcome to great discoveries. Israel has been a workhorse for the US elites. It sucked in Jewish talent from the former eastern bloc and has been a lab for all big IT/science/tech companies. Every major company has numerous Israeli teams working on stuff. Former eastern bloc countries, including Ukraine, have teams working for big companies. When you do stuff, Bill, and it's computerized - your data ends up being handled in Ukraine, among other places. Hope you realize this.
And Trump is a genius, an evil one, despite being dumb and stupid. He knows his algorithms. He's an AI-legend. He's also a dumb pussy grabber. He's coming for everybody. How stupid can one be to believe all that at once?
Can you answer it, Bill? While at it, how's Biden expertise with algorithms? Can he do bubble-sort?
If the left ever lived in America, it lived mostly with Malcolm and the Black radicals. And, yeah it feels like there are dribs and drabs of resurgence now -- a mass urge to differentiate from the empire slime you so ably characterize in this piece. But I worry that's just my heart talking, emoting bubbles of hope that there still is the possibility of tearing these people from the reins of leadership, of power. But mostly I despair of the possibility and see the billious faces of Biden and Netanyahu floating over the planet like giant opacities to human cognitive sunlight.
"If"? There was a real left in the US - including Communist and Socialist parties and Wobblies and anarchists and hippies in addition to the black radicals - but they all were crushed by corporate and State power snd swept down Orwell's memory hole.
I forgot the Anti-federalists, the Abolitionists, the Transcendentalists, and some 19th century farmers
hit send too soon .... and those who formed intentional communities (William Morris types)
Davos Man & American 'liberals' are enablers of Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing.
Muslim Americans & Jewish Americans have been LOST as well as millions nationwide:
Nobody from said communities will touch them with a ten foot pole on election day.
They have no legitimacy left & their political 'coalition' is DEAD.
After Friday, the rest of US global standing will be gone once the ICJ ruling is out!
(For those interested)
If you wish to read (& listen!) to more of My commentary, here is my Main Stack:
https://thefallofthewest.substack.com
Thank You Kindly to everyone!
I believe that the “liberal Americans” are actively protesting Israel, Biden , Congress actions in Gaza and elsewhere. I know that I am. We have no illusions. I’m not certain “ liberal” is the correct term. I would use good human beings.
These labels have been forced upon the masses to force allegiance to the donkeys or the elephants. We must dismantle and rise above this tyranny.
No, there is such a thing as political theory and it is not based on R's and D's.
LOL, you are blind. Neither Republicans or the Democrats cares about you; They never had. You only see what YOU want to see.
Just read books. Get a clue. Theory has zero to do with R's and D's.
Is Global Mask-off Moment Schadenfreude a thing? Because I think that’s what I’m feeling
It's called Nihilism, or misanthropy, my friend.
Trump is in lockstep with Biden on Gaza.
Judge Napolitano pretty much summed it up in the podcast.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qzkbd7C2M4s
Thank you for your post I have never seen the world with such clarity until after Oct7th. I am grateful to be disillusioned. I am distressed and frightened for all humanity. How do remove these multiple layers of oppression?
In the west's Democratic Dictatorships the traditional power elites have now perfected the system of large donor corruption and the manufacture of apparent consent so that voting here is just as meaningless as voting in Russia or North Korea. How the hell do we change it?
Got to get rid of the corruption. Get the money out of politics. But how do you do that? You need some kind of People's Movement - strong enough to withstand the inevitable Establishment assault that will be heavily funded. And your Movement will be undermined by deep state infiltrators. It may already be too late - they are now working on mass censorship and even more draconian State powers. Which means the only way out of a Totalitarian state is through a violent rebellion. Probably won't happen though in our lifetime. But we may not have to worry much about it anyway, since it does seem like Biden and his NeoCon buddies are doing their damndest to start World War III. And guess what? A nuclear war means we're all fucked - you're going to want to be at ground zero - you don't want to be alive after a global nuclear exchange. I say we're now at about 50/50 - closer than we've ever been to such an event. People seem to think World Wars can't happen - pretty much what people thought before the last two world wars - normalcy bias I guess.
Agree - and, sadly, it is often war that forces change - like the Labour party in the UK after WW1 and WW2. Soldiers come back and realise they have been tricked, fighting and dying for a class of rulers who don't care about the people. Sometimes it takes years - in the UK and US people are at last realising that e.g. the reasons given for war in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, or the wars "on terror" or drugs are all fake, gaslighting - the agenda behind them is to make money or carry out revenge attacks or stupid geo-political games played by sociopaths.
Change might be difficult after a few nuclear blasts. Well, other than the change that the blasts will cause
Perhaps we could implement ranked-choice voting with a “none of the above” choice included.
yes - some sort of Proportional Representation as well - the problem is that none of our politicians will go for changing the 'first past the post' system for fear of losing their position in the party - i.e. their job
What do you know about voting in Russia or North Korea? Be specific.
In Russia and NK, and many other countries - Egypt, Iran maybe - there is only one real candidate, or one party as in China - in the UK and the US we used to have "opposition" parties - but now have a fake choice - the 2 parties and candidates all have the same policies and agendas both domestic and foreign. Maybe you know different in Russia?
You answered your own question - in the US and the west there's also one real candidate - deep state, capital, ruling elite (lately a global one), call it whatever. But just one, and it's always been like that. The illusion of a real fight benefitting all people - and it is a fight, just between those people, between groups to have control of the pie distribution - is just that, an illusion.
In many other countries - say Russia - there's no such established behind the scenes force to arrange for the fraud of "democracy". And so it looks more natural, as it were. There's somebody who seems to be doing OK, as excellence is unreachable by definiition, and he is being kept there.
Putin is consistently around 70% approval, and it is not a fake one. There are other people but they are nowhere near as potent as him. The oligarchy which tried to exert more influence in the beginning of 2000s - you've heard Khodorkovsy etc - was put in its place, and hence doesn't play a decisive role. As it shouldn't. We can observe the resuls of such control elsewhere, the US is prime example.
No system can be satisfactory. The "democracy" one without elaborate backstage mechanism looks like one in Russia. Maybe it should drop pretences and just call it something else, to match the reality. But it doesn't seem many care.
In the UK at least, there used to be a proper socialist party with different policies to the conservatives - the Labour Party that enabled our NHS to be created. But over the years it has been gradually moved to the right, by Tony Blair and others, and lately - when we had a real socialist in Jeremy Corbyn, the tactics changed to smear campaigns and dodgy financial deals. Our media constantly tell us that Mr. Putin is a 'dictator' (and 'evil) and can just do whatever he wants - which I always thought was very exaggerated, there are other powerful politicians in Russia I think. But we are not supposed to believe that he is actually popular - although - again from news media - it seems that direct opposition is very difficult, or even dangerous. Maybe it's just that Putin does understand what most people want .... I have a theory that the American government hates China because they are insanely jealous that the Chinese Communist Party is unopposed, and they don't have to waste a lot of time and money on fake elections, they can just do what they want! But I suspect Chinese politics is just as complex as in any other large state, with various factions vying for power.
Labour discovered high living and decided that they liked it.
"there used to be a proper socialist party" - that must be during the WWII or right after, when the war scared people off and the Soviet Union was sort of popular? Well, they took care of it with anti-communist campaign throughout the West.
As to Putin - nothing dangerous in opposing him, and people are. Right now there are several candidates for upcoming elections. But they have no standing with people. They just don't. And especially now with the war - people rightly expect the one who initiated it, made the decision to start, must also be the one to carry it through. It's on Putin and no one feels he should be let go.
yes - it started after WW1, there were quite a few communist supporters in the 30's, then labour became the government after WW2. I can se why people support Putin- did he help control the oligarchs after the big privatisation?
My cousin told me he is a libertarian. He thinks it is the same as being an anarchist. He wants no government so he will not be burdened with rules and regulations. He, like many, do not at all understand that anarchism is about reversing the pyramid. It is about government from the bottom up. It is about changing or eliminating the present system, but it is not, for most, about eliminating any kind of government at all. Looking at the present governments in the world, it does seem like a good idea to get rid of all government. It isn't, in my opinion. We have to change how we govern ourselves, governing ourselves being an important consideration.
Your cousin would be in for a rude awakening if he ever found himself living in a society without any government. It's a libertarian dream fantasy that would within days, turn into a nightmare.
ps: By the way, did you even bother to read the article links you just sent? The third sentence regarding the first link on Belgium:
"where Belgium had no federal government and was governed by an interim government."
So if your argument seriously is an "interim government" is not actually a government - you're shitting in the wrong pond here.
The shortest time period known to man is the time period from no government to a new government.
Really have grown tired of this Libertarian shit that government is evil. It's right-wing horseshit. I've been hearing this crap my entire life - at least since Ronald Reagan - you know the mother fucker that dismantled worker's unions, insisted Government was evil - while at the same time this fucker increased the US debt more than any president in US history. Ronald Reagan created a massive US debt - and increased government spending immensely. Hypocrites every one of them.
Well said jamenta! What people don't seem to get is that the "Government is evil" propaganda ploy is used to gut the very system that is responsible for providing a social safety net for the most disadvantaged of us.
So this is the strategy:
(1) Cut government funding and reduce budgets.
(2) Because of these cuts and lowered budgets, governments are unable to provide the support that people need. (There are other factors of course such as corruption, etc.)
(3) Becuase the government cannot provide adequate support due to all these cuts, people suffer. Now, these same people that are proponents of "cuts" and "smaller" governments use the resulting situation (of public dissatisfaction and outrage) to turn around and say - "See! I told you so - Governments are evil and they won't help and support you."
(4) These "see I told you so" people then use this faulty and fallacious logic and reasoning to justify further cuts and expenditures by the Government - thus making the situation worse - something like a negative feedback loop/cycle.
(5) These "see I told you so" people (proponents of small government and cuts) then gaslight the public into supporting the very actions that created the problems in the first place.
(6) And all these people that complain about "government funding" and "government budgets" and consider themselves to be "smart and perceptive and rational thinkers" fail to observe and realize what is happening to them right in front of their eyes - as a consequence of their own support for proponents of "cuts and small government".
Oh, the irony would be so laughable if the consequences weren't so pernicious.
Very well said Susan T!
Jesus H your newsletter brings out the boomer trolls. Every time I restock your newsletter there they are, trolling about abortion rights. Meanwhile women in Palestine don't have access to tampons. I mean they really experience a delusional form of cognitive dissonance if they can keep towing the party line as they do. IT DOESN'T GET WORSE THAN GENOCIDE asshats. I am not a Bernie bro. I'm just not going to participate in a corporate duopoly that pits pieces of shit against pieces of shit and nobody benefits.
As a boomer who is not a troll (at least in the sense you speak of) I agree with everything else you say. Abortion rights are (were?) important. I saw no interest among Democrats until they disappeared, and the fund-raising utility for whining outrage about it increased dramatically. If the only candidates for an office are war criminals and genocidaires, you just don’t vote. You aren’t the problem- the system that produces that kind of ‘choice’ is the problem.