The fall of the Old Order

As has happened often in the history of the world, there are definite
signs that the Old Order — or ruling elite — of many countries are
having a time of it trying to maintain their grip on power. Political
hacks, mainstream pundits and talking heads may not yet see this
phenomenon but millions of Americans do — and ultimately, the latter
group is the one that will matter most.

Globally, the trend is quickening. No less
than billions of people — be it because of traditional political or
newly created social and economic reasons — are dissatisfied with the
Old Order. The elite in the two biggest countries, Russia and China,
are desperately trying to find (or relocate) themselves in a bid to hold
on. The people, experts forecast, may have something else to say about
that. People — not “national leaders” — usually win, eventually.

Meanwhile this trend is reaching the United States, and it is
something that ought to have been a helluva lot more predictable than
witnessed by our “expert pundits” thus far, considering the kind of
presidency Bill Clinton has presided over. A recent poll
says it all: Fully 39 percent of Americans questioned no longer believe
there will be political and social salvation from either major political
party. If the Rush Limbaughs, the Larry Kings, the Trent Lotts and the
Dick Gephardts think otherwise, then it is they who are in for a big
surprise.

This arrogance of status quo government manifested itself again
yesterday on Limbaugh’s program. He seemed to take great delight in
reporting that a “faction” of the Reform Party, calling itself the
“American Reform Party,” has split from Perot’s brainchild because
Patrick J. Buchanan appears to be the leading contender for the party’s
$12 million campaign war chest. There are no substantial numbers in
this new faction — especially when compared to the membership of the
“mother” Reform Party itself — but Limbaugh’s dire predictions of more
unrest and a marginalizing of any Reform candidate were the epitome of
ignorance. It was ignorant because it fails to recognize the very
obvious trend away from mainstream politics. It was ignorant because it
fails to recognize the fact that so many disenfranchised voters exist as
a result of the failure of mainstream politics, not the other way
around.

Not long ago, when a few “moderates” took over the helm of the
Republican Party, Limbaugh’s assessment was that it ultimately would be
“healthy” for the party to shift its focus for the changing times.
Message: When it happens to the GOP, it’s healthy; when it happens to
another party, it’s funny, a sign of trouble, or the subject of
ridicule.

It is precisely this kind of compartmentalizing that is being
recognized by millions for what it is: Disingenuous pap designed to
maintain the power elite and perpetuate the status quo.

It should be shocking to mainstream hacks and politicians that 39
percent of any voting group has little confidence or faith
in the focus, direction or leadership of either major party. But instead
of recognizing this unrest, leaders and their cheerleading pundits
choose to ignore or marginalize it, hoping the sheer weight of their
marketability or name recognition will carry the day in the end. If
we’re all lucky it may not this time.

The sad truth of the matter is that regardless of what Democratic or
Republican propaganda ministers say, American government has grown for
decades. It has become more intrusive, less responsive, and completely
arrogant. It has expanded far beyond any constitutional meaning or
limitation. It has thwarted any previous effort at “reform.” It has
ignored the very vocal pleas of the people to scale itself down, cut
itself back, and remove itself from virtually every aspect of our lives.
And Washington has accomplished this feat with the very active
participation of — whom? — both major political parties.

And now that a very real threat to their power exists, the elite have
become nervous. They have become even more confrontational and
hubristic. They have become combative and more willing to go to any
length to stay in power. They have, in short, become an animal that is
being threatened with extinction and, in essence, have vowed never to go
away — at least without a fight.

I say let the battle begin. Let the ideas of all make it into the
mainstream. The notion that Americans must never be fed any ideas that
do not come from the anointed Old Order is ludicrous. There are
better ideas out there, better candidates, better people than what
remains in Washington, D.C. The American people deserve to hear them,
all of them. And they deserve to hear these ideas without the taint of
obvious bias and without the contempt of a beast wounded.

During the 20th century the American experiment in liberty has been
co-opted by professional scoundrels who have become a power unto
themselves. They decide nearly all things for us, the governed,
while allowing only tacit involvement in the electoral process they
themselves have altered to reflect little more than a mechanism for
self-enrichment. If you doubt this, ask some third party chairman how
easy it is to get his party onto the ballot in most states.

Without overtly supporting a Gore or Bush, a Bradley or Buchanan, a
Ventura or Trump, ask yourself if you deserve to at least hear the ideas
these candidates espouse — from their own lips. Ask yourself if
you’re so comfortable with the current “regime” that no changes at all
are necessary. Ask yourself if it is only up to a select few people to
tell you what you ought to think about the issues, the candidates and
their ideals and principles. Ask yourself if this is supposed to be
America, or some third-world copy of a banana dictatorship. A
two-headed creature — one Republican, the other Democrat — is still a
beast if it acts like a one-headed creature with similar beastly
characteristics.

The Old Order is coming down, and it’s about time. Let it fall, and
let the people decide how they want to rebuild.