I dunno. I am torn between the self-destructive impulse to just watch it all burn (despite the consequences for myself and everyone else), and the impulse that drives a desire to see the obvious failings of the system be fixed, in a really real way.
Take the issue with the "Treason guy" linked. Our model of governance was never intended to have the federal government provide so many services to so many states. The fed's enumerated functions are to 1) regulate interstate commerce, 2) Negotiate foriegn trade and relations 3) Create regulatory frameworks to prevent the states falling into total anarchy, and 4) to manage the armed forces since it cant be effectively managed by a room full of screaming senators and governors.
That's really all it was ever intended for. Nearly all of the services on the table right now should be at the state level. ACA should have been a regulatory policy, and not an actual federal program. Same with social security, or medicaid/medicare and pals. I REALLY dont want to hear the impulse gut reaction decrying me as a teaparty idiot, so please try to avoid doing so. Unlike those tools, I am capable and willing to think for myself, and don't need their snake oil. The really real truth is that yes, that IS the way our government was meant to run. It outright says so in the constitution regardless of any ideological feelings anyone may have on the matter. This is analogous to the way the EU member states are supposed to operate; Each is supposed to still have autonomy for domestic policies, but to have a harmonized body of law covering the movements of people between them, and of how they will engage in trade with each other. The EU parliament and council are equivalent to our Fed.
Being upset by having the government trample over that system by extinguishing those autonomies, and being left with no legal recourse to set it right again, is it really wrong to suggest that revolution/secession is the only option to return to the as-stated method of governance? Not saying it is correct, just asking if it is really wrong. Is the "Treason" against the Federal government, or is the "Treason" against the more ephemeral "America"? No, the two are NOT the same thing.
Yes-- Letting that system hold sway instead of a top down authority model like has been steadily hamfisting itself in place like a damned police state for the past 70 years has some very negative possibilities, such as some states choosing to teach bullshit about intelligent design in public school, some states running themselves into the ground and becoming shitholes, and other such issues. But it does not permit the police state, and increases freedom. Being able to shoot yourself in the foot in those capacities is a manifestation of that freedom, even if it is a deleterious one. Part of upholding the right to free speech and freedom of expression, is upholding the right of stupid people to say and do stupid things.
If the current system can be cut back hard on its excesses and abuses, it behooves all of us to shoot for that goal. If it cant, and staunchly refuses to budge an inch in the power grab, isn't revolution the only remaining option? Eventually, becoming a "Traitor" is the only remaining option in the face of that trend. That is the sad reality.
As such, I am a bit disturbed, both by the existence of the video, and also of the gut-reaction others have had concerning it. --Even more so, given that in a horribly twisted way, the guy is actually correct. He and I just have differences of opinion on the severity needed before such extreme action become necessary.
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Topic: Bay12 Election Night Watch Party (Read 838691 times)