by John Hayward
This sinister “Great Reset” stuff suggests we really might be approaching the “end of history” this time – not with the worldwide acceptance of classical liberalism, but with its decisive rejection in favor of “soft” and “limited” authoritarianism.
The new consensus spreading among Western political elites is that some issues must be taken off the table, placed beyond the reach of voters, “settled” – and thus enforced – by power that cannot be subordinated to democracy.
In other words, the list of things “free people” don’t get to vote against or refuse to accept grows longer. The size and power of centralized government swells to a scale undreamed-of by the founders of a constitutional republic. Very little of it can be voted out of office.
This is all supposedly justified in the name of protecting what remains of democracy, and sanding the rough edges off of capitalism. The elites tell themselves they aren’t really authoritarians – they’re just helping “true” liberty flourish by limiting and nourishing it.
The people cannot be allowed to make choices that would interfere with the government-provided “rights” of others – in other words, the socialized goods and services everyone is “entitled” to. People must be made “free” from want, from insult, even from the need to work.
Whatever remains of free society after those authoritarian boundaries are drawn will become the new playground sandbox of liberty – smaller, but safer and more comfortable. All that is not steel will be velvet. All that is not demanded will be provided.
The elite will find just the right amount of authoritarian control to protect The People. You’ll still be allowed to own some capital, provided you use it the “right” way. You can be ambitious, but not greedy. You can speak sort-of freely, but only about approved topics.
This is now the great illusion of the 21st Century, brought into focus by the coronavirus pandemic, which will be employed to kill classical liberalism by supposedly “proving” that the most important challenges can only be tackled with authoritarian control.
The delusion will be that authoritarianism can be tamed and harnessed to protect “free” societies. Authoritarianism will become the sleek scientific, industrial, and moral engine that pulls free people into the new century and beyond.
The political class will tell you this is a modest and necessary imposition on liberty. They’re just putting a few dangerous things where your adorable childlike hands can’t reach them. They’re just requiring you to accept a few more points of “consensus.”
The list of commands you cannot refuse will get just a LITTLE longer, as will the list of questions you are not allowed to ask, the words you’re not allowed to use, the things you cannot buy or sell, the alternatives you are not permitted to seek.
Very Smart People of unimpeachable moral authority and unquestionable wisdom will draw some heavy lines. You will be permitted to color within them as you wish, using the acceptable colors provided to you. You won’t be allowed to be dangerous or unpredictable any more.
In every respect, it’s the end of classical liberalism – the end of universal freedoms and inalienable rights, of absolute limits on political control. Constitutional limits on what you can vote FOR will be replaced by lists of what you aren’t allowed to vote AGAINST.
You may get to elect some of the deciders, but you won’t be making the big decisions, and you will not be allowed to reject the “consensus.” When capitalism is dominated by politics, risk is replaced by consensus, and reward by entitlement. It’s “safer,” and smaller.
Lead by George Soros without a doupt this man needs to lose his American Citizenship and move him to Russia or to the Nation where he is a War Crinimal and have him tried for War Crimes from WW II and Hanged
Will Thanksgiving Mark The Beginning Of The Lockdown Resistance?
The “elites” include Utah’s RINO gov Herbert.
He also wants all non-vital social interactions cancelled.
He wants gatherings to be in household only and 4 tops.
One of his toadys on local TV news likened Thanksgiving to unsafe sex in the 1980’s during the AIDS/HIV heyday.
If granny comes over, it’s like she’s trusting all her children and grandchildren’s word as to their being negative.
I hear that many families are doing Thanksgiving dinner anyway.
Christmas, too.
Utah’s main problem isn’t lack of BEDS in ICU and ERs.
It is lack of STAFF.
People have been quitting over the last year and who can blame them?
It would be slavery (real, not like great, great, great grandchildren of black slaves) to force people whose education qualifies them for such work to do it.
It’s still a free enough country that they can sit out the rest of this covid madness on the sidelines.
And while Gov Herbert is at it, he probably should allow out-patient use of HCQ and Remdesivir and it’s related remedies.
That, alone, would solve Utah’s problem.
The Bee has offered some suggestions for the new communist move in America:
10 steps, get a big dog now, will provide food for a week
babylonbee.com/news/how-to-survive-the-coming.
You can have a great Thanksgiving if you just do what liberal leaders do; express support for strict shut-downs, then carry on your own personal life like normal. Emmy-winning Governor Cuomo (an award for a splendid performance as a leader on television) showed us how to tell everyone to shun gatherings but then have your sisters pick up 92 year old Mom and party as usual.
It is the standard of socialistic elitism; the citizens supper while the leadership elite enjoy the perks.
PA tranny heath tyrant has broken the back of covid finally, all we have to do is restrict liquor sales a day before thanksgiving!
I am astonished at the scientific backing of their decisions. Who needs a damn vaxx.
I have decided to follow this dictate even if I dont live in PA and buy the wine for dinner on Tuesday.