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Entry: Heil Hillary? Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/heil_hillary#15450 Post contents: In the late 19th century, the Swiss historian, Jacob Burckhardt, steadfastly opposed the growth of state bureaucracy. He argued that, once an effective administrative system had been built, there would inevitably come a person who takes control of that bureaucracy and uses it to create a dictatorship more horrendous than has ever been seen. Burckhardt's foresight was quite astonishing, because he noted that the dictator-to-be would first creat a semi-militaristic party system. His opportunity would come at a serious economical crisis, when people would be desperate for a savior. Once he got power, the dictator would simply merge his party organization with the government's bureaucracy, and this would rapidly give him full control of the country -- i.e., Burckhard was one of the very few historians who accurately predicted Hitler. From the above perspective, Goldber's argument is very correct indeed, because anybody who strengthens government bureaucracy prepares the ground for fascism, and strengthening the government is very much what left-wingers do. There are differences in details, such as racism or nationalism, but the underlying theme is the omnipotent state, which can -- and sooner or later will -- be turned into a tool of dictatorship. What surprised me is that Goldber did not notice that the Bush administration is full tilt into the same thing. The increase in the number of people in "security" and the rapid expansion in their legal powers will be particularly helpful for a future "savior." Sent at: 2008 05 16