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September 4, 2009

Idiotocracy In Charge

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in


- Leonard Cohen (Anthem) -

Ever since Barack Obama slithered into office, and his intentions became clear, I've wondered which revolution would happen first - the one pursued by Obama and the pigpile of textbook radicals he's gathered around himself, or the completely unplanned implosion of what James V. DeLong has called The Special Interest State (see "The Coming of the Fourth American Republic"). Today I don't think it's either/or, but only the second choice, either on its own or hastened by Obama.

The Special Interest State is the hypercomplex, bureaucratic, greed-driven Leviathan that doesn't represents the majority of the people. It simply delivers the spoils of government to all the important open hands in exchange for power. It's nearly what we have now. We're ruled by a decomposing idiotocracy of encumbents. The stink of shamelessness is everywhere and they no longer care what we think. But when the excess wealth runs out, the debt piles up, and the massive claims inevitably conflict, the bribery machine breaks down.

Its catastrophic waste, inefficiency and corruption can't be hidden. Like the USSR, its wheels and gears grind to a stop and something new can be born. Post-collapse, there's a lot of competition and renewal; the outcome depends upon immutables, on whether the culture reasserts itself in familiar ways after the collapse. The constitutional process of elections should prevent this sort of thing, and it would do so if it could prevent the establishment of a professional political class. So far, it hasn't.

There's a huge body of literature on the conditions, participants and components of social and political revolutions, but I think they all include, as a first cause, some dramatic failure, bungling or outright collapse of the existing regime. Obama's unintended potential for all three are conspicuous - never mind his intentions -and he's reckless enough to induce chaos when what he only wants is crisis.

Obama and Rahm and the leftist tribe of flunkeys and savants who make up his administration and his supporters in Congress aren't as culturally savvy as their predecessors in the old New Left. The old Left held a torch for personal sovereignty. To these guys, the world consists of hammers and nails, or as Lenin was reported to have asked, "Who, whom?"

They're going to find out.

13 comments:

LL said...

Don't hold back, Rhod!

I think you're right. The left is rotting like a fish (head down) and the stench is wafting over the nation like a fog. The Republicans have lost credibility with America and are struggling for an identity. And still the nation is strong and knows what it is.

It's not Barack Hussein and his band of pseudo-intellectual flunkies and it's not John McCain and his gaggle of pesudo-liberals.

We'll see what america does, but the Republicans and Democrats have their hands full if they want to contain an awakened and aroused voting populace.

Rhod said...

LL, you should post on this if you already haven't.

Something is happening out there which can't be managed or controlled by the morons we've elected at all levels. They can only make it worse.

Someone smart said that succesful political movements focus on the glories of the past, not the failures. Obama and his drooling shills still think it's 1932.

The real reactionaries are on the left, and reality is racing past them

Anonymous said...

They seem to be car thieves sitting at the wheel of the Chevy Tahoe, but unable to peer over the dash. Their solution is to stomp on the accelerator as hard as they can, reasoning that they'll reach their destination all the quicker.

Besides, what could possibly stop a Chevy Tahoe traveling at 80 mph?

Wetzy said...

There are times when I wonder if a revolution is the only way to save the republic.

Anonymous said...

Interesting take, Rhod.

I think we have a perfect storm on our hands ... bad economy, bad policies as gasoline on the fire, Marxists and Communists in the Admin. exposed, Obama and his ilk try in desperate attempt to jam through govt. health care, seeing the window closing, lack of truthfulness on all levels, highest deficits in history, battlefields in Iraq in Afghanistan going south, Iran and N. Korea on the move, apologizing for America, no trasparency on any level after campaign promises, Congressional arrogance displayed via dozens of YouTube moments like never before, etc., etc.

Look at what they are doing to Honduras. It's a disgrace.

Put on top of this unmitigated disaster the propaganda and serial lying by Obama's flaks in the MSM and people are aroused even beyond what they were in '94.

Obama has overreached in spectacular fashion and now we reach back.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to lodge an objection to usage of the word "tribe" to describe Obama's team or whatever.

Mr. Blog Administrator?

Anonymous said...

DC, I hear your objection. You should thank me. It took 40 minutes of arguing with Rhod to get him to use "tribe". Don't ask.

Anonymous said...

Could we at least call them "Injuns"?

Opus #6 said...

I can only hope that out of the group of patriots step forth some who are willing to lead. We need good leaders now. Folks who understand and revere the constitution.

Anonymous said...

I hope that patriots are meeting at this very moment.

Anonymous said...

We are, Nick.

I hear what you're saying, Opie. But liberals look for leaders. conservatives know they have to lead.

It's up to each one of us in our individual spheres of influence. No more waiting around for the next Reagan. The media's constant drumbeat about the lack of conservative or Republican leadership is a ruse.

We have plenty of leadership. The names are simply not known.

Writer X said...

Love this line: "We're ruled by a decomposing idiotocracy of encumbents. The stink of shamelessness is everywhere and they no longer care what we think." So damn true.

Unfortunately, the Dems always press their foot on the accelerator and head for the cliff. Many of the Republicans at the moment watch from the sidelines. It's the perfect time for some new Republican leadership to emerge but I'm not seeing much of any. And, please dear God, let it not be McCain and his "my friends" cringing mantra.

Anonymous said...

X, I too get nauseous at the sight of the colorless, passionless and, yes, hopeless Republicans in leadership.

It's time to promote the young and energetic young Turks in the party.

Calm down, DC. I used the word without thinking. The Coach doesn't want to see you and you can hold on to your playbook. For now.