Posted by Bob Lord
Well, not entirely. I'm still enthralled with TomDispatch. But I just bumped into Paulcraigroberts.org, and really like some of his posts. Roberts was an assistant Treasury Secretary under Reagan, but apparently has changed his views since then.
I especially liked this post, where he explains so well what Americans just don't get about executive power:
How does the progressive Obama Regime differ from the tax-cut, deregulation Bush/Cheney Regime? Both are complicit in the maximization of executive branch power and in the minimization of citizens’ civil liberties and, thus, of the people’s power. Did the progressive Obama reverse the right-wing Bush’s destruction of habeas corpus and due process? No. Obama further minimized the people’s power. Bush could throw us in prison for life without proof of cause. Obama can execute us without proof of cause. They do this in the name of protecting us from terrorism, but not from their terrorism.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
[emphasis mine] As Obama's drones spy on us, we should all be mindful of Roberts' warning.
Like many, Roberts speculates on the collapse of today's oppressive corporate/government power structure:
In the ensuing collapse, the power of Washington and the power of the private robber barons would evaporate. Americans would suffer, but they would be rid of the power that has been established over them and that has changed them from a free people to exploited serfs.
This is, perhaps, an optimistic conclusion, but those relatively few Americans who are aware need some hope. This is the best that I can do. The majority of Americans remain trapped in their unawareness, which implies a bleak future. The insouciance of the American population is its downfall.
As they say, hope springs eternal. I just wish we had a rosier future to hope for, but Roberts assessment of his own speculation — optimistic — seems about right. The post is short, and well worth the read.