About
Content
Store
Forum

Rebirth of Reason
War
People
Archives
Objectivism

Post to this threadMark all messages in this thread as readMark all messages in this thread as unread


Post 0

Saturday, October 1, 2011 - 11:01amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Fred goes on to say, "It [this tactic of hypothesizing an authority above all of us individually] appears so often, in so many variants, that it speaks to its effectiveness as a political tool of leverage, using an infinite lever arm to advantage a fulcrum far out of either our reach or grasp."

So very true, and very astute. I can just see all of these small fellows each yelling that his Wizard of Oz is THE god and that you'd better listen to what that god has whispered into his, and only his ear.

The evolution of social/political arrangements has long included this business of the finding the longest, scariest, least refutable lever - whichever one is stopping people from objecting as individuals to handing over their goodies and freedom to the fellow holding that lever.

I like this metaphor because it shows the huckster for being just that - a huckster - small and impotent when deprived of his lever. And, because it shows that the god is just smoke and mirrors - a con-man's creation - which, when exposed, lets individuals go back to feeling the power inherent in their status as an individual. And, because it lets us see that the cure to this spell is nothing more than being inoculated with a minimal education. Teach this to a generation and watch the con-men seek honest labor or go hungry. (And it is easy to see that the higher the average level of self-esteem, the less susceptible people are to the carney huckster's fearful prophecies and false promises).



Post 1

Saturday, October 1, 2011 - 11:14amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Looking for the Body Language of Con-man Politics....
--------------------------------------------------------

We bring different kinds of judgments to the selection of political candidates: examining character, principles, competency, etc., as we should.

But maybe we should also try to sniff out any smell of god/lever/only-I-know that clings to a candidate. That might well be the most telling sign, the best indicator of political character.

Probably the first stage of the con-man's pitch starts with prophecies of doom and promises of salvation. What will he, with his lever save us from and what will this god that he speaks for give us?

Is he big on smiting his/our opponents? Those who imply that others will be smitten, are clearly implying they have a big lever.

Post 2

Saturday, October 1, 2011 - 2:31pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Mr. Jones rises to speak...
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending tonight's debate.  You have an enviable choice before you, unknown in the 20th century and for much of our own time.  You have here not the lesser of two evils, but the better of two goods.  My opponent Mr. Smith and I agree on the principles of limited government.  We disagree on certain specific issues.  You will decide which of us better reflects your own expectations and desires. 

"My opponent believes that the Coast Guard should be self-funding from court fines.  I point to the tragic results of such policies during the Drug Wars.  My opponent believes that anyone should be able to view the Declaration of Independence free of charge and I believe that a productive citizen would be happy to pay for the opportunity.  My opponent would grant semi-automous statehood to the International Space Station and I perceive that effort, international by definition, best kept free of any national ties, admitted perhaps if they so choose, to the United Nations.

"These issues set us apart. 

"We share a dedication to limited constitutional government, to individual rights, to the great principles of our nation, to apple pie, to baseball, to modern architecture, to ballroom dancing, and to light opera. 

"And I promise that any voter who clicks their mouse for me will enjoy rational self-esteem, a sense of achievement, and, greatest of all, the profits that accrue from answering one fundamental question: "Right or Wrong?' 

"Thank you/"


Post to this thread


User ID Password or create a free account.