In the aftermath of Nine-Eleven, as the dreadful tragedy of that day is now called, many Americans have begun to reconsider the System under which they live; the political and cultural apparatus that rules and governs their lives.  Granted, the response of most Americans has been to unthinkingly, and perhaps understandably, glue themselves to the traditional verities of Flag and Country; that is, “My Country, Right or Wrong.”

Others, more thoughtful, have begun to question this kind of mindless orthodoxy; that is, how does it fit with their own bedrock beliefs, both philosophical and religious?  To their dismay, they have seen that our two-hundred year-old American tradition of Patriotism is being used, cynically, to further the interests, the agenda, of those who control the levers of power in this country.

A recent column by Chris Floyd in, of all places, The Moscow Times (English language) newspaper on November 10^th, addressed exactly this matter, that is; where we (Americans) are and where we are going:

It won’t come with jackboots and book burnings, mass rallies and fevered harangues.  It won’t come with black helicopters or tanks in the street.  It won’t come like a storm — but, like a break in the weather, that sudden change of season you might feel when the wind shifts on an October evening.

Everything is the same, but everything has changed.  Something has gone, departed from the world and a new reality has taken its place.  As in Rome, all the old forms will still be there: legislatures, elections, campaigns — plenty of bread and circuses for the folks.  But the ‘consent of the governed’ will no longer apply: actual control of the state will have passed to a small group of nobles who rule largely for the benefit of their wealthy peers and corporate patrons.

To be sure, there will be factional conflicts among this Elite, and a degree of free debate will be permitted; but no one outside the privileged circle will be allowed to govern or influence state policy.  Dissidents (like pro-lifers) will be marginalized — usually by the people themselves.  Deprived of historical knowledge by an impoverished educational system designed to produce complacent consumers, not thoughtful citizens, and left ignorant of current events by a media devoted solely to profit, many will internalize the force-fed values of the ruling Elite and act accordingly.  There will be little need for overt methods of control.

The rulers will often act in secret; for reasons of national security, the people will not be permitted to know what goes on in their name.  Actions once unthinkable will be accepted as routine: government by executive fiat, the murder of enemies selected by the leader, undeclared war, torture, mass detentions without charge, looting of the national treasury, the creation of huge new security structures targeted at the populace.  In time, this will seem normal, as the chill of autumn feels normal when summer is gone.  It will all seem normal.”

Does any knowledgeable person doubt that this is an accurate description of our present day American System?  What then, can we do?

One can only ask that our thoughtful people THINK about what is going on all about them and then, ACT ACCORDINGLY!

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