UPDATES AT BOTTOM
If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it. ~ Julius Caesar
In 2000, the long fought for and long admired democracy of the United States of America began a slow and steady decline toward fascism - a Bush family tradition - with the installment of a president - a man the citizens overwhelmingly rejected (although the funny math told a still believed myth) - by a few corrupt judges on the US Supreme Court. That coup is now nearly complete and checkmate is all but unavoidable.
Let me first point you to the Bush administration's so-called Wall Street bailout bill, here, so that you can see for yourself that this treachery is being conducted in the light of day. Fascism is finally and formally out of the right-wing closet even if the F word is not yet openly being used (although it should be, and often).
Now, if you do not yet understand that the Wall Street crisis is a man-made disaster done through intentional deregulation and corruption, I have a bridge in Alaska to sell to you (or Sara Palin does anyway). This manufactured crisis is now to be remedied, if the fiscal fascists get their way, with the total transfer of Congressional powers (the few that still remain) to the Executive Branch and the total transfer of public funds into corporate (via government as intermediary) hands.
Adam Davidson of NPR blogs about the so-called bailout bill as follows:
I would guess that this has to be one of the biggest peacetime transfers of power from Congress to the Administration in history. (Anyone know?). Certainly one of the most concise.
The Treasury Secretary can buy broadly defined assets, on any terms he wants, he can hire anyone he wants to do it and can appoint private sector companies as financial deputies of the US government. And he can write whatever regulation he thinks are needed.
Most importantly, Davidson points to this passage in the bill:
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
The Bush family, in the form of Prescott Bush, has tried a more aggressive coup before in order to install fascism in this country. This treasonous plot was called "the Business Plot," because the high-level plotters - including Prescott Bush - were Wall Street men who openly supported fascism.
It seems this time around, the Bush family is trying the more subtle approach to open bloodshed: first create a crisis, then under the guise of addressing that crisis, overthrow democracy. Yes, it does sound terribly conspiracy-theory-esque when explained just this way. But what else does one call a criminal conspiracy to destroy Congressional powers permanently, alter Judicial powers permanently, and steal public funds?
As I see it now, we have but two options and I have long alluded to hoping against hope that one of these options would not be the only one left to a peaceful people. The first and frankly most preferable option is for Congress to immediately begin impeachment proceedings against the members of this latest Business Plot.
No time needs to be wasted on hearings as we already now have in writing, formally as presented to Congress, the intentions of this administration to nullify Congressional powers permanently, to alter Judicial powers permanently, and to openly steal public funds using as blackmail the total collapse of the US economy if these powers are not handed over. You do see how this is blackmail, do you not? You do see how this is a manufactured crisis precisely designed to be used as blackmail, do you not?
The other option, the one I have long prayed we would never need to even consider, is a total revolution. But, If Congress won't act in its own self-defense, in the defense of democracy, in defense of us - the people who have elected them to protect us from this very danger - then what is left for us to do? I don't want to see it come down to this, but I fear that it will. Put your party politics aside right now. We are in a crisis so dangerous that should these people succeed in their coup, your party affiliation will no longer matter, your American flag will be a nice collectible item of something that once was, and your version of God will be worshiped in secrecy because your freedoms will be owned by the few.
You are no longer Republicans, Democrats, or any shade of voter. You do not live in a swing state or a solid colored state. You are simply this: an American. That is the only side that matters. So call your members of Congress and demand, no, declare that unless they do their duty to the Constitution and to us, we will move to the streets - not because we want to, but because our founding fathers demanded this duty of each and every citizen in the face of such a domestic enemy. Demand - as is your right - that this bill be voted against and demand - as is your right - that the people plotting this treachery be held to account. We are either a nation of laws or we are no longer a democracy. Pick a side, because there won't be another time, another moment, another chance to be a patriot.
UPDATE
You guys have to read this, the guy is near ready to call 911 and report me to the secret police for daring to suggest that I fear that there may be a revolution and want everyone to contact Congress and demand no passage of the Coup Wall Street bill (oh, and did I mention that he calls himself the Confederate Yankee?)
"I can only hope the lawful authorities are monitoring such enticements towards insurrection with all due seriousness, and find a nice, well-lit and cheery cell for those who require one."
Enticements? I did not realize I was standing on a street- corner pulling on my fishnet stockings in hopes of starting a revolt. Now let us examine what I actually wrote - I will bold the key points:
As I see it now, we have but two options and I have long alluded to hoping against hope that one of these options would not be the only one left to a peaceful people. The first and frankly most preferable option is for Congress to immediately begin impeachment proceedings against the members of this latest Business Plot.
No time needs to be wasted on hearings as we already now have in writing, formally as presented to Congress, the intentions of this administration to nullify Congressional powers permanently, to alter Judicial powers permanently, and to openly steal public funds using as blackmail the total collapse of the US economy if these powers are not handed over. You do see how this is blackmail, do you not? You do see how this is a manufactured crisis precisely designed to be used as blackmail, do you not?
The other option, the one I have long prayed we would never need to even consider, is a total revolution. But, If Congress won't act in its own self-defense, in the defense of democracy, in defense of us - the people who have elected them to protect us from this very danger - then what is left for us to do? I don't want to see it come down to this, but I fear that it will.
Hmmm, sounds like a massive terrorist plot, right? Oh, and don't forget to contact your members of Congress. Seriously, is this guy taking heroin with his coffee? Which part of "I hope against hope" and "I fear" is an enticement for anything that would require me to be arrested and put in jail? Freedom of speech, a no-no in Confederate Americana. Stop by and tell this guy what you think of his hopes that I end up in prison.
UPDATE 2
Another kook joins the distortion train and swift-boat party. This one is actually now claiming that I am calling for an insurrection (wow, in a few hours they will be claiming that I armed the rebels, and charging the Bastille). And if you read the comments section of this blog, you will find yet more examples of rabid xenophobia and bigotry.
And yet even more stunning? Not a one of them can seem to find the time to react to the unlimited power the Executive Branch is demanding. Perhaps they are too busy eating their racist Obama waffles?
On a side note, please use the phrase "insurrection in bed" in every comment since the right wing requires a distraction, even an imaginary one.
UPDATE 3
I have gotten some emails where people appear confused by my use of the Caesar quote. Just to clarify, this is in reference to Bush as Caesar, not my support of Caesar. This is in reference to the massive Bush power grab buried in the bailout "coup" bill. Sorry for any confusion.;)Follow Larisa Alexandrovna on Twitter: www.twitter.com/larisa_a
now i shall read the comments "boy this will be a hoot" think i need a coffee for this one lol
ten stars!!
I can only hope that I've been paranoid - unfortunately I don't think I am.
I signed up at HP just to be able to say...Great article!
forget the wingnuts they just need to READ more HISTORY books
clowns
ten stars!!
It makes me wonder about the significance of the Army's 1st combat brigade being deployed within the mainland US under direct control of the Northern Command, a unique event in American history. The official press release (Army Times, Sept. 8, 2008) said they were being deployed to assist in relief efforts in case of natural disasters or terrorism. These troops are also reportedly trained in the use of advanced non-lethal weapons designed to disperse large crowds and tactics for stopping unruly protets and other civil disturbances.
People need to WAKE UP! You are being fitted with the yoke of slavery to Corporate Fascism.
You think I am a nut job, but give it a year.
While you were hitting the snooze button, Congress was passing laws that put you ONE PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION away from living in a dictatorship.
When you finaly realized how utterly and totally screwed you are and hit the streets, there are some cots in those lovely big "relocation centers" Halliburton built in West Texas with your name on them.
We are free people today because Common Men marched on frozen bloody feet to stand up to an Empire. Men of Foresight and Integrity pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" to craft our Constitution and a nation that limited the power of Government and granted the individual Citizen unprecedented Freedom.
You squandered that Patrimony and let it slip from your hand so you could reach for the remote control and watch Britanny Spears' latest antics.
Simply ignore CY's idle threats. He has nothing.
You are not the seditionist, but these folks are: www.morningstarministries.org and www.christianexodus.org.
And get this: The Palin's "former" church regularly sends its "masters" candidates to Morning Star for training.
It's not surprising at all that the Religious Right has struck power deals with the neo-conservatives and Wall Street under the guise of the Republican Party.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations
that will begin to explain all of this.
beware this crisis doesn't cost more of our constitutional rights.
I applaud your courage and your eloquence, not to mention your wisdom and insight. Nice to know that not everyone out there is asleep or brainwashed.
Keep up the fantastic writing! I am a BIG fan of this blogger and am sending your link out to everyone I know!
Way to go!
Eric
-I am not a conservative and pretty certain I never will be;
-I am not a complete liberal either - but that is only in the area of gun ownership and abortion (I'm in the middle on abortion);
-I am regularly an Independent, but supporting Barack Obama for the presidency; and
-I think that the sooner we get off the liberal vs. conservative kick, the sooner we'll see more clearly how and when we're being done in.
America, All you have to do is turn off the TV and read people, think for a change, you are being lied to by a couple people who value human life about as much as dirty toilet paper. It is time to take this country back and restore the rule of law. Only when massive peaceful protests and a general strike occur will we stand a chance.
To Assume Benevolence Is Foolish.
I will give my support to one who has little if no history with the Corruption Club Or Money Party.
Both Repubs And Dems Are In The Corruption Club And The Money Party. They Are One.
I wish more people would have debated Ron Paul rather than dismissed him.
Debate is the distillation of reality.
I am going to Vote For Chuck Baldwin in November.