Thursday, May 4, 2017

The Beast

Modern humankind has been put in the difficult position of managing the institutionalized beasts it has created. These beasts have their benefits and their problems. Government is one such beast, one conservatives wish to "drown in the bathtub". Other beasts are the "necessary evils" wielding power over citizens, like a military, or law enforcement. Democracy, with it's justice system, is the only check on their power.

Then there is the beast that is not of the government, and not accountable to the democratic representative process. That beast is capitalism. Or more specifically, the de-regulated, free speech and person-hood endowed, banking and global corporatist "Free Market" capitalism the economic Darwinists employ to gain limitless wealth and power over government.  

It is the essence of that capitalism to take the most while giving the least. That is its ethos. This is why it needs regulation. Capitalism needs regulation just like government, police and the military need the rule of law and a constitution.

Capitalism becomes an all-consuming god if allowed to go unregulated. And far too many Americans revere capitalism over democracy and even freedom itself.

Trump, the vile and vulgar spawn of corporate media and capitalism, is president for several reasons politically. Comey, Russia, Hillary's baggage, etc. 

Missing from every analysis is the American people's reverence for wealth and the wealthy. Mammon is our god, and the rich are our prophets. This is our subliminal and overt programming from corporate media and political indoctrination. Make no mistake. Look at all the millionaire TV preachers who prove this statement.  Look at the cult of celebrity behind famous people. Trump even told us "when you're a celebrity, they let you do that".  

And too many of we the people let him do it.

Capitalism, like the machinery of big business, is amoral. It may offer jobs, but it also has its price and political demands. It inherently serves the elites over all others. It is not democratic. It is not representative. 

The founders understood we need to tax and regulate commerce or it would regulate us. And that is what has happened. 

The founders wanted to discourage an aristocracy. The Party of Trump is eliminating the inheritance tax. They want to gut health care in order to cut taxes for the rich. They want aristocratic rule, and they have it. The vulgarian in the White House and his billionaire cabinet exemplify aristocratic rule.

The actions of Republicans have nothing to do with Christian values. Yes, they cleverly pander to Christians and their churches for votes, but everything else they do elevates the rich and steps on the poor. This is in direct opposition of not only Christian values, but our Constitutional regulation of commerce and provision for the general welfare. It is in opposition to basic human dignity and decency.

The Party of Mammon is devious enough to fuel and exploit resentment of others, to divide and dupe voters on wedge issues. If the serpent of Eden wore a hat it would have read, "Make Eden Great Again" to enhance the appeal of its fruit.

The Reptilian Party of Billionaires with the ethos of "You're on your own" is in power. And they make it clear they don’t want to be their brothers’ keeper. In fact, human beings will suffer the consequences of their kleptocracy and destruction of our constitutional general welfare.

Reptilian Republicans and their Corpo-Dem appeasers serve the Beast of unregulated capitalism. Their Beast has no conscience. Their Beast has no use for democratic institutions. Their Beast has no concern for justice. Their Beast has no objection to fascism and a police state. Their soulless Beast is concerned only for profit.

If the Reptilian Republicans and Corpo-Dems have their way, we shall all serve their unregulated Free Market Beast, instead of having the Constitutionally regulated market serving the people.

8 comments:

Commander Zaius said...

Their Beast has no use for democratic institutions.

Somewhere the term "Authoritarian Capitalism" has been used for the situation you describes in your post. Democracy might have beat communism, but like you wrote unregulated free markets don't leave much room for the difference of opinions and the respect for basic human rights when it might interfere with the corporate bottom line.

Michael Stivic said...

U2 frontman Bono, who is also an investor, philanthropist, and Christian told students at Georgetown University that real economic growth, not government aid, is what lifts people and countries out of poverty long-term, emphasizing that "entrepreneurial capitalism" is the key to prosperity.

Dave, my progressive brother, when will we learn the truth?

Dave Dubya said...

BB,
Authoritarian capitalism, aka corporatism, is the Beast that owns politicians and writes our laws for their benefit. We're not talking about small businesses, family farms and mom and pop shops.
=
Michael,
The truth is you plagiarized your first paragraph, most of your comment, didn't you? Just like our conservative friends like to do. Hmmm. Isn't it good that you have us thinking you are a liberal like us? LOL!

And if you plagiarize, give us the whole context.

"But commerce is real," Bono said. "That’s what you’re about here. It’s real. Aid is just a stop-gap. Commerce, entrepreneurial capitalism takes more people out of poverty than aid -- of course, we know that.”

Yes, he is simply stating the obvious. Show biz lifts a few out of poverty too. Of course it doesn't make them economists does it?

Looks like Bono agrees we need government aid for those in need. Very Christian of him, wouldn't you say?

And commerce, per our Constitution and good sense, needs to be regulated.

Now go back and read my post before you plagiarize again. Comment on its content, or be deleted as spam.

Jefferson's Guardian said...

Dave Dubya: "And far too many Americans revere capitalism over democracy and even freedom itself."

And, as you alluded, conservatives and fake Christians revere capitalism over democracy, and mistakenly believe the two are intrinsically connected -- as if one could never exist without the other.

Their monomania is only exceeded by their preponderance of stupidities.

Dave Dubya said...

TRUST IN SCIENTISTS SPLITS ALONG PARTISAN LINES - HuffPollster: “Americans’ trust in scientists is deeply split along partisan lines, a new HuffPost/YouGov survey finds. 54 percent majority of Democrats, compared with just 13 percent of Republicans, say they have ‘a lot’ of trust that what scientists say is accurate and reliable…. In a HuffPost/YouGov poll taken four years ago, Democrats were 28 percentage points likelier than Republicans to express a lot of trust in scientists’ findings; in 2015, the gap was a relatively similar 25 points. But by last spring, that divide was 31 points, and the most recent poll finds it widened to 41 points, due both to increasing levels of trust among Democrats and a corresponding decline among Republicans.”

This is the essence of the fatal flaw in the human condition.

“I dream of a world where the truth is what shapes people’s politics, rather than politics shaping what people think is true.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson

The reptilian brain of authoritarian con-servative humans will lead us to self-extinction, if we let it.

Jefferson's Guardian said...

Dave Dubya: "The actions of Republicans have nothing to do with Christian values. Yes, they cleverly pander to Christians and their churches for votes, but everything else they do elevates the rich and steps on the poor."

For the most part, Christianity as practiced in America is a fraudulent scheme. Not unlike other frauds today, it's based upon the accumulation of money and power for a select few. Starting with Paul, it has been cleverly marketed to an acquiescing citizenry to assure compliance and conformance. Instead of being the tool to fight injustice, it has turned into a political weapon to sedate and tranquilize. Beginning with Paul, the castration of the true message of Jesus never stopped.

"Unfortunately, the radical Jesus, the political dissident who took aim at injustice and oppression, has been largely forgotten today, replaced by a congenial, smiling Jesus trotted out for religious holidays but otherwise rendered mute when it comes to matters of war, power and politics. Yet for those who truly study the life and teachings of Jesus, the resounding theme is one of outright resistance to war, materialism and empire."

When economic inequalities, political oppression, and social injustices prevent people from finding true happiness in this earthly existence, modern Christianity -- and other religions -- teaches that this is alright; they'll find true happiness in the next life.

Here, take another blue pill...

Unknown said...

I speak as a Capitalist. I believe no economic system can as fairly allocate limited resources... up to a point. That point is where those with Capital use it to Purchase more political power, to influence legislation, to buy Congress for their benefit alone, and to the detriment of Society at large. We are well past that line, to the point that international oligarchy is successfully influencing our democracy. Gerrymandering and voter suppression, out control lobbying and Congressional greed have created the environment where MAGA seemed like a good idea to those who thought a quick and easy fix was possible. More of the same corruption is Not the answer. Capitalism must be well regulated.

Dave Dubya said...

Samwise,

Thanks for your visit.

I am a capitalist as well, in the sense of having money invested in stock and retirement plans. Capitalism is a necessary function of modern civilization, and a double edged sword.

You nailed the fundamental issue. Capitalism needs regulation, or it becomes just another tool for tyranny.

The founders knew this, and made sure the Constitution provided for regulation of commerce.

Jefferson went on to say:

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

Today's conservative Republicans would call Jefferson a socialist. They really are that wacked out on greed and power.

They are strangely silent on this quote. I wonder why? ;-)