I can only go by what I see. Here in the blue part of Ohio, people are complacent, and ready to become totally dependent on the government.
If what I see is common elsewhere in the country, I’d say our shift to communism isn’t far away.
My wife and I had this conversation last night. I explained that people don’t value freedom around here, because it has cost them very little. In fact, they don’t even understand freedom. Some thing freedom is simply freedom from harm. Or freedom to shop where you want. It’s some of that, but so much more. It seems to me, that people around here will only truely understand freedom when it’s gone.
We live in interesting times.
bump that
I submit that Fascism is the end result of what we are seeing now. The takover of the medical system is the key to any Fascist Government.
Communism is economical. The events we are seeing from the radical Dums is a hybrid form of Fascism with communist econ policies.
Don't forget that through most of human history, most people thought this way. The concept of freedom as we know is a relatively new practice. Unfortunately, there are many, many people who really have no problem at all being dependent on government because of the purported "security" provided in exchange.
I don't think the form will be classical communism. It's closer to classical fascism (means of production privately owned; tightly regulated by the government, etc.). I agree with your take on public sentiment. The public lacks the degree of responsibility and risk-taking that accompany independence and freedom. The public prefers "the collective" to "the family" or "the self."
The US has gone through a radical transformation already, most of it since the late 1910's. I view the constitution as a dead letter, kept alive in form only (see Weekend at Bernie's) with the animating spirit being almost entirely removed. I figure it'll be kept around for a few generations, at least.
Even the America that we grew up with is gone for good. Not that all happening these days is discovery or invention of a new federal power - remember Nixon's wage and price controls?
I explained that people don’t value freedom around here, because it has cost them very little. In fact, they don’t even understand freedom.
You’ve got that right. Younger people have no clue. Had a talk show on the other night where some young hotshot Consultant was giving advice to the GOP about winning issues to sway voters under 30. Among the key issues he claimed are important to them is “the freedom to download anything they want on the internet”. REALLY???? Our Founding Fathers fought for the right to steal music and movies?? Could not get to my roll of Glenn Beck duct tape quickly enough!
First they came for the Jews, but I wasn't a Jew...
When my son returned from Iraq we talked about what he’d learned. He said the thing that stood out to him- was that he never grasped the significance of freedom until he went to war. Since then he’s said countless times- we just don’t know what we’ve got here- we don’t cherish our liberty.