January 10, 2009

The Lessons of History and Hope for the Future

Lew Rockwell gives a prescient historical lesson about the ascendancy of the New Deal in the Depression and warns of a similar tale in our dire times. Despite all the talk of our coming economic depression and the US government destructive policies that will prolong it, there is hope for a renaissance in America's political culture, starting at the demos-the people. Chalmers Johnson remarked that America may go the way of the Roman Empire unless a new renaissance takes place. There are positive signs that people are waking up, the popularity of alternative news is rising, meanwhile there is a decline of viewership and readership of mainstream media. The dam of propaganda is breaking, day by day. It is not stupid to be optimistic, quite the opposite, all the evidence lays bear the resilience and dynamite of the American people. Sure, the US government and the media will use fear as a tactic to quell dissent and push forward their agenda but their success is not all that likely, at least not in the long run. Below is a brief excerpt from Lew Rockwell's article.
And yet, I'm not that pessimistic. It is extremely crucial to realize that there is a difference this time. In the 1930s, technological limits put severe restrictions on information delivery. Government propaganda easily dominated the culture. All of that has changed. Despite everything, people simply do not trust the government as they once did. Obama will enjoy a short honeymoon but it will be over by summer.

What is missing today so far is the critical thing: a culture-wide love of liberty that is capable of intimidating and beating back the rogue regime. The conditions are right for this to actually happen, and to reverse the direction of politics today. But it will require all our efforts. Fortunately everyone has the opportunity today to make a difference.