Phil > I too have wondered about all the secrecy in many departments, and wondered who really was in charge. Such secrecy, to that extent, is not in the parliamentary tradition for sure
Unless it's Tony Blair's parliament!
I know I am now walking in all kinds of "conspiracy waters", but it does seem as if the real power in the US system is not vested in the hands of the administration. It's as if it's their job to deal with the "people" and to carry out what has been decided elsewhere. Almost as is there is an invisible "monarchy" who decides what is to be done -- and will get it done, even if it means assassinating presidents, or whatever.
Eisenhower gave us the idea it was the "military industrial complex". Whoever it is, JFK was removed and then the Vietnamese war was pursued in a big way by Johnson, and for no apparent reason. Then, Nixon had to do what he was told until he messed up and then they put in Reagan who I don't think had any idea what was going on for a long time. In the meanwhile, they managed to print money in a big way, arm Saddam and start the Iraq/Iran war. I don't know what happened to Reagan but it seems he had the idea that he could settle it with the USSR on his own and did. Maybe Nancy told him to do it? Whatever it was, the action was so out of keeping with whatever else was going on and it certainly upset the rest of his administration. Then Clinton came in and he tried, initially, to continue with Reagan's pacifist policy and, in fact, succeeded for a while. But they got to him, too. I'm sure if he didn't make limited war in Kosovo they would have given him what that gave JFK. Instead, he got Monica and I'm sure he was pleased that that was all it was. I don't know what to make of W? Is he just a stupid guy who does what he's told or is he the epitome of evil -- a person who can make war, commit atrocities, etc all the while proclaiming he's the paragon of God-given virtue?
In my opinion, the US has moved from a republic, with strong democratic principles, to an oligarchy which pays lip-service to democracy, and a government which is answerable only to big business and certain lobbies. From what I have read, there appears to be no effective political opposition in Congress. We know there is manifest interference in the "free market" and there is also the seemingly unstoppable creation of money.
en.wikipedia.org
I think if those in charge are able to have their way, the US could become a true fascist state, with a dictator, but whether that happens or not possibly still depends on the compliance of the people. There was every reason to believe it could happen after 9-11.
en.wikipedia.org |
