The Greater Good Is Never Good

And the lesser of evils is still evil

Welcome, my dear readers, and I would like to thank you for continuing to support my efforts here.  I don’t know about you, but I think I have had enough.  I am done with the division, the kabuki theater that is two-party politics in America, and I am done losing more of my freedom every day in the name of the greater good or the lesser evil.  Please note, the greater good is always the most damaging evil an

d the lesser of evils is still evil.   It is time for some truth and unity in the face of government evil.

Let's put an end to the constant bickering, personal attacks, and character assassinations that do nothing to enhance the safety, freedom, or fairness of our country.  We've allowed the government's misconduct, abuses, power grabs, brutality, cruelty, inhumanity, immorality, greed, corruption, debauchery, and tyranny to persist for an extended period.  We've witnessed this dangerous convergence before in historical instances like Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia, Mussolini's Italy, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, and Mao's China.  We are seeing it in America today.  It is the rise of authoritarian figures and demagogues, the supremacy of profit-driven politics at the expense of deeply ingrained principles, political machine that seeks to divide and conquer, the heartless neglect of fundamental human rights and dignity, and the passive indifference of the public at large.

Unfortunately, regardless of the countless times humans have experienced this series of events, we appear incapable of avoiding the tragic errors of the past.  This crisis isn't confined solely to the national and international arena; it also wreaks havoc at the most personal level, causing divisions and polarizations within families, friendships, neighborhoods, and communities.  This internal strife keeps the population divided and unable to effectively resist authoritarian government.

Even as we are burdened by numerous forms of oppression, both major and minor, camouflaged as actions for the "greater good," promoted as acts of benevolence, enforced by armed authorities, and carried out by an elite class of government officials who are largely shielded from the adverse consequences of their decisions.  For a considerable period, the American people have justified ignoring government misdeeds, such as asset forfeiture schemes, warrantless mass surveillance, prolonged military engagements, no-knock SWAT team operations for minor infractions, the profit motives behind private prisons, and more (here, here, and here).  This rationalization was often rooted in the belief that these actions were the lesser of two evils.

We are faced with the undeniable reality that the government, through its power grabs, brutality, cruelty, inhumanity, immorality, greed, corruption, debauchery, and tyranny, has grown to be nearly indistinguishable from the very evil it claims to combat.  This evil may manifest in the form of terrorism, torture, drug trafficking, human trafficking, unethical scientific experiments, or other sinister methods of inflicting suffering and servitude upon humanity (here, here, here, and here).  This is not a matter of political debate, constitutional principles, or even tyranny masked as law and order.  It is a condemnation of individuals with human appearances who engage in monstrous actions.  Regrettably, many of these individuals are employed by the U.S. government and have embedded themselves as the establishment,  the most powerful and least representative part of the government.

A citizenry that doesn't think critically, unquestioningly obeys, passively conforms, refrains from challenging authority, lacks imaginative thinking, and is content to be entertained is a populace that can be easily manipulated.  Thus, we see the purpose of the Federal Department of Education, as basic and advanced skills have cratered since its inception because if you don’t know and can’t think, you won’t resist (here and here).

To see beyond the government's attempts to distract, divert, and bewilder us and to recognize the true state of affairs in our country is to confront an unmistakable and unpleasant truth: we are grappling with an authoritarian entity that has outgrown its restraints and refuses to be constrained.  We are being fed a series of meticulously crafted fabrications that bear no resemblance to reality.  Despite the fact that we are 17,600 times more likely to succumb to heart disease than to a terrorist attack, 11,000 times more likely to perish in a plane crash than in a terrorist plane plot, 1,048 times more likely to die in a car accident than a terrorist attack, and eight times more likely to be killed by a police officer than by a terrorist, (here) we have relinquished control of our lives to government officials who view us as a means to an end—a source of power and wealth.

They desire our fear and dependence on the government and its heavily armed forces for safety and well-being.  They aim to foster distrust among us, division through our biases, and conflict between us.  We are perceived as little more than expendable resources to be utilized, mistreated, and ultimately discarded.  Indeed, a study conducted by Princeton and Northwestern University has determined that the U.S.  government does not genuinely represent the majority of American citizens (here).  Instead, the study reveals that the government is effectively under the influence of the wealthy and influential, often referred to as the economic elite.  Furthermore, the researchers have concluded that the policies enacted by this group in power overwhelmingly favor special interests and lobbying groups.  In simpler terms, we find ourselves governed by an oligarchy masquerading as a democracy (here) and, arguably, inching closer to a form of governance resembling fascism.  In a fascist system, private corporate interests hold sway, money dictates the course of action, and the people are relegated to mere subjects to be controlled.  Be assured that if fascism were to take root in America, the outward appearance of government structures would remain intact.  Fascism would maintain a veneer of friendliness.  Legislative bodies would continue to convene, elections would persist, and the news media would continue to cover both entertainment and political trivia.  The concept of the consent of the governed would become moot, as actual control would have decisively shifted to the oligarchic elite manipulating the government behind the scenes.  Does this sound familiar? Undoubtedly, we are currently ruled by a coalition of government and corporate interests.  It is almost too late, and we may still need to shoot our way out yet.

We are progressing toward a state known as "corporatism". Our crony capitalist system is just a lighter form that gets heavier every year.  In truth, this isn’t much different than the system favored by Benito Mussolini in Italy (here), which serves as a halfway point on the road to full-fledged fascism.  In a corporatist structure, a select few with financial resources, unelected by the populace, govern the majority.  This departs from the democratic or republican form of government initially established in America.  Instead, it represents a top-down form of governance with a disconcerting history, resembling the developments witnessed in past totalitarian regimes: societies where a police state monitors and scrutinizes everyone, where citizens are apprehended by government agents for minor infractions, subjected to police control, and confined in detention facilities (If anyone is with me, I have some meat hooks).

For fascism to fully take hold, a crucial ingredient is required: the majority of the people must be convinced that it is not only beneficial but imperative.  However, why would a populace consent to such oppressive rule? The answer remains constant throughout history: fear.   Fear makes people susceptible and malleable.  Fear is a tactic frequently employed by politicians to consolidate government power.  As many social commentators acknowledge, fear pervades modern America: fear of terrorism, fear of law enforcement, fear of our fellow citizens, and so on.   The propaganda of fear has been skillfully employed by those seeking authority, shaping the population into a fearful, acquiescent, and passive collective, willing to conform to the government's directives.  We saw this most recently writ large during COVID and still see those sheep walking around in masks that don’t work and getting shots that will kill them just as surely as anything else.  Before that, we saw it after 9/11 and the political will driven by fear to give up so many rights and freedoms to a slate of abominable laws (here, here, and here).

Oblivious to the impending future, we have been manipulated into believing that as long as we continue to consume, obey, and have faith in the system, everything will work out.  This has never held true for emerging authoritarian regimes.  By the time we realize the grip of oppression upon us, it will be too late.  It is imperative that we become active and stand up for what truly matters.  We must cease allowing ourselves to be easily diverted by meaningless political spectacles and focus on understanding the genuine issues facing our nation.  The real battle for control of our nation is being waged on our streets, in police vehicles, on witness stands, over telephone lines, in government offices, in corporate boardrooms, in school corridors and classrooms, in parks, at city council meetings, and in towns and cities across the country.  We must be vigilant and, regardless of the cost, we can give no more ground.

1 Peter 5:6-0

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 9 whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

God Bless you,

-Sam