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Entry: The Real American Right: Part II Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/the_real_american_right_part_ii#13631 Post contents: These standard bearers of the "Old Right" are ignored at worst or treated like crazy uncles at best because there is no axis of discussion any longer. There is no critical memory of success or failure, only the extended period of lucky breaks afforded by cheap oil. The long period of American Triumphalism.... crowned by the implosion of the Soviets and seconded by the deterministic hybrid of Chinese Communist-capitalism.... has imparted a mindset, mistakenly.... that being American removes one from cause and effect reality. When American's go woozy over Obamas inchoate exclamations of "change", they really believe it possible and do not question what that "change" might actually be, let alone question whether or not ....in a democratic Republic.... we elect Presidents who can single-handedly "change the World" as candidate Obama suggests when he is really stemwinding in the cadences of an old time pastor. They never question whether the institutional pistol whipping they are getting is something they should elect to change or something that has their beloved governments fingerprints all over it. Funny enough, George W. Bush has enacted more "change" in the office of the Executive than have any of the other Presidents in modern history. He'll retire from office to build a cozy library and actually get paid to "speak" in spite of the kinds of wrist-cutting actions that consigned Napoleon to rocky islands. Accordingly, when the crippled bus rockets into the ditch, the people will scream for government to help them because government is the only extra-legal organization they can imagine that can concoct a relief of sorts , We are habituated to dismiss any non-governmental solution unless we are small pockets of religious denominations whose apocalyptic philosophy has created a functioning welfare system. Both have a history confusing whether or not they are planning for the worst by hoping for the best or hoping for the worst by planning for the best. Government far outweighs any of the religious efforts in this secular age and with current policy, it enlists them in the power-play. Then, the entire cycle repeats and the Friedmans and Greenspans begin again to mutter their oracular incantations and the Titans rebuild their Bunko Scams with government but again until the charade can no longer be maintained and the bus crashes again. This is called the Non Cyclic Business Cycle. Perhaps they should call it the Free-Market Free Free-Market. Now that the species is finally eating its way through the global larder, it will be ever more difficult to resurrect libertarian principles because the power-plays to dominate and secure declining commodity sources will demand obedience to the mentality of the Militant hoarder. This generation of Americans is uniquely suited to the sanguinary road ahead because they have freely relinquished the kind of skepticism and free-curiosity and initiative that got them where they are. Unfortunately, what we see today may come to be called "the good old days" as we move deeper into the cycle. The Chinese and Russians will likely cope quite alot better than the Americans because they have consigned themselves to the mindset of loathing their government and their government will be more efficient at the zero sum game than ours. American's , on the other hand stubbornly refuse to suspect their government of perfidy even though they claim to be suspicious of it. As soon as the Souza marches start up and the flags wave and some tormented assailant scores a point, they revert to the kind of slavish devotion typical of the institutionally enslaved. We do have a dilemma ahead of us, there are choices to be made and Libertarian Principles are part of the canon of choices in front of us. But without debate, reading Rothbard or Nock or Mies is akin to reading the Greek Classics. They are dead letters in a world that will embrace the "progress" of large institutions and the besotted declining returns of the "growth economy" until the bitter end. Anyone doubting this should simply review last nights results in a State that has the term "Live Free or Die" tattooed on it's psyche but must think this is something like "Go Aggies" and an old steer horn fist salute. Less than 8% voted for liberty and rebuked the consumptive authoritarianism of the Federal State....in a State that has a purported reputation for being anti-state. The majority voted for authoritarian statists who spout reform but champion the kinds of mistaken consumptive policies that pre-date Nebuchadnezzer and simply will not die because humans will not break away from fear and supplication. I suppose only the cockroaches will mourn the passing of their great garbage stream benefactors. Everything else will breathe the kind of sigh one heaves when a mugger runs off down the block with only your wallet and pride. When one's economy is little more than an institutionalized and hyper-exploitive waste stream and the citizenry simply expectant sows at the trough, Free Market Principles would seem to be beside the point. Sure, this windy little bit of nihilist reductivism smacks of sour grapes but anyone that suggests there is not at least a grain of truth in it must have forsaken whatever God they might have in favor of prostration at the foot of the lower intestine. The Superpower is a Superboob. Oddly, I find the moment invigorating. I really must be a celebratory nihilist. Typical American, I still think we can change even though I aint got the first clue of what that change should be. One thing that is unmistakable though is that large institutions are a menace that stand athwart the self-defending intelligence we humans are capable of. Sincerely, Emily Dickinson Sent at: 2008 05 16