Any great empire is built on differing ideals, "mission statements", to coin a term used by other organizations and institutions. I use the word "great" loosely, not in the context of "good" or "right. The Roman Empire, The Ottoman Empire, The British Empire, The Soviet Empire were all "great" in that they were large, formidable, and powerful.
Some powerful and expansive empires grow over years or decades or even centuries, are long lived, and die slowly. Others, like Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the USSR of the 20th century rise rapidly and are ephemeral. Of the "great" empires of the 20th century that remain, super powers not empires, one is thriving and growing (China), while the is other (America) is whithering and failing.
The most distinguishing and cherished characteristic of our America is that its founding ideal of government "of the people, for the people, and by the people" is being cheated. A "shining light on a hill" for freedom whose basis of existence has been democracy. People, in theory, choose their leaders and all foreign policy decisions are made by elected civilians and not military warriors. This ideal is under attack.
Republican leaders across this nation since the election of Barack Obama have skillfully used scathing propaganda to confuse a majority of voters into believing that America is being subverted from within. Health care, the stimulus package, questions of the Presidents birthplace, questions of his religious convictions were used to vilify progressive thinkers and their ideas. Phrases like "income distribution", "death panels", "Islamist", "Nazi", "Communist", all have been used to inspire fear and hatred among their constituencies. This artful use of media manipulation succeeded and Republicans overwhelmingly took control of most sectors of the nations decision making bodies.
Within months of their mandate and subsequent swearing into office these newly elected representatives of the people have proposed initiatives to demolish workers unions, to strip college age students of the right to vote, and have even sponsored legislation that would allow the murder of doctors performing legal reproductive procedures under the guise of "justifiable homicide". Additionally, a hearing in Washington is scheduled to debate the radicalization of American Muslims (freedom of religion anyone?). This last effort is nothing more than a play to the most basic of human emotions: fear. It sells better than sex and gains the far right more votes. This simply isn't the American Way!
These particular maneuvers are a few of the tactics of an overall strategy to secure power for the money interests and the ultra right wing ideologues. It's an attempt to end worker's rights, violate civil rights, steal voting rights, condone murder, and foment racist proclivities. It is unfair, it is wrong, it is illegal, and it is immoral. So much for the "family values, moral majority" lie that has been used for nearly 30 years.
As American ideals are torn asunder, our own nation and its virtuous moral authority and beacon of democracy and freedom is on a steep decline. It has taken decades, but the pinnacle of the founding American philosophy is eroding. These believers of near fascism suppose they will last forever. They're sure they have nothing to fear from the voters, and their empire will last into perpetuity. The leaders of the once mighty Roman Empire carried this same arrogance.
Comment as to what you think.
Some powerful and expansive empires grow over years or decades or even centuries, are long lived, and die slowly. Others, like Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the USSR of the 20th century rise rapidly and are ephemeral. Of the "great" empires of the 20th century that remain, super powers not empires, one is thriving and growing (China), while the is other (America) is whithering and failing.
The most distinguishing and cherished characteristic of our America is that its founding ideal of government "of the people, for the people, and by the people" is being cheated. A "shining light on a hill" for freedom whose basis of existence has been democracy. People, in theory, choose their leaders and all foreign policy decisions are made by elected civilians and not military warriors. This ideal is under attack.
Republican leaders across this nation since the election of Barack Obama have skillfully used scathing propaganda to confuse a majority of voters into believing that America is being subverted from within. Health care, the stimulus package, questions of the Presidents birthplace, questions of his religious convictions were used to vilify progressive thinkers and their ideas. Phrases like "income distribution", "death panels", "Islamist", "Nazi", "Communist", all have been used to inspire fear and hatred among their constituencies. This artful use of media manipulation succeeded and Republicans overwhelmingly took control of most sectors of the nations decision making bodies.
Within months of their mandate and subsequent swearing into office these newly elected representatives of the people have proposed initiatives to demolish workers unions, to strip college age students of the right to vote, and have even sponsored legislation that would allow the murder of doctors performing legal reproductive procedures under the guise of "justifiable homicide". Additionally, a hearing in Washington is scheduled to debate the radicalization of American Muslims (freedom of religion anyone?). This last effort is nothing more than a play to the most basic of human emotions: fear. It sells better than sex and gains the far right more votes. This simply isn't the American Way!
These particular maneuvers are a few of the tactics of an overall strategy to secure power for the money interests and the ultra right wing ideologues. It's an attempt to end worker's rights, violate civil rights, steal voting rights, condone murder, and foment racist proclivities. It is unfair, it is wrong, it is illegal, and it is immoral. So much for the "family values, moral majority" lie that has been used for nearly 30 years.
As American ideals are torn asunder, our own nation and its virtuous moral authority and beacon of democracy and freedom is on a steep decline. It has taken decades, but the pinnacle of the founding American philosophy is eroding. These believers of near fascism suppose they will last forever. They're sure they have nothing to fear from the voters, and their empire will last into perpetuity. The leaders of the once mighty Roman Empire carried this same arrogance.
Comment as to what you think.
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