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Dean Scoville's avatar

For years I dismissed the anti-billionaire rhetoric as anti-capitalist sour grapes. Now, after only six decades, I know better. But then I’ve always been a quick study. I owe the globalists’ herd-thinning that much. Turchin’s book sounds most interesting. Thanks for its recommendation.

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Stegiel's avatar

Not me. I was quite aware I was in a corrupt system since my clash with public education in "Accelerated" First Grade. I never thought that very wealthy people earned their money. Nor did I favor public policy favoring their interests. I did not expect Covid as the totalitarian umbrella, but a totalitarian system arose fast after 9/11; prior to 9/11 since murdering JFK was only increasingly more unfriendly Fascism.

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Dean Scoville's avatar

Yep. But then I bet you didn’t sign off on that whole “George chopping down the cherry tree” thing, either. *sigh* (hangs head)

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Stegiel's avatar

Until about age 25 and reading the Anti-Federalist papers I would say I was a Madisonian. I was suspicious power could be cabined by mere law. However you may recall his argument in the 51st Federalist paper. Without a strong central government as many standing armies as states and likely arguments that could lead to violent conflict without a mediator above the fray. Then after reading the Anti-Federalists I started to think more about the Civil War and aftermath.

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Dean Scoville's avatar

Even academics recognize the need for a country’s defense; many decry the sunshine patriot as cowards. What’s problematic is the nature of people standing armies tend to attract in the absence of more representative conscriptions (drafts). (I abominate the draft, just noting a perhaps inadvertent benefit in its absorption of varied minds and personalities). The thing is, Madison’s federalist bent was, in contrast to seemingly every governance outside Hungary today, was anticipatory and pragmatic in creating checks and balances and ensuring a measure of sovereign defense. One can hardly imagine what he’d make of the charades made of his legacies.

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Stegiel's avatar

Except I think the Articles were superior. The rebellious colonial states as documented fought England to a standstill.

No Federal integrated national empire required. Further I tend to think the American Revolution was a "color" revolution. England had a color revolution with William of Orange that birthed the Bank of England. Hamilton wanted a Bank for the United States. The idea of a colonial union was not new. In 1749 the Albany plan of union was discussed.

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Tarn - mutual eye-rolling's avatar

A contrast is it not, that individuals can prosper in the US, land of opportunity and all that, but everyone is to be clotshotted for the greater good.

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Stegiel's avatar

I know one man who managed to fake the injection and got away with it. He is my neighbor. He works 3 jobs as I will be soon.

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Tarn - mutual eye-rolling's avatar

Putin is obviously not weak, having been in power for decades and seeing through the West's charades.

Prigoxhin and his men? Amazing that they were not punished.

Compare this to the January 6th visitors.

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Stegiel's avatar

I think Putin's body doubles have been in power. I think they are all playing ball. Wagner's formation was supported and encouraged by Putin. Now the soldiers are moved in Belarus close to Kiev. And nuclear weapons are as well.

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Tarn - mutual eye-rolling's avatar

Russian's are good at chess, and roulette.

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