Again I am indebted to you for your sincere affirmation of my work. As you hail from the Great White North I value your perspective. If you would be so kind, I am interested to know more about your "different view or opinion, on some of the statements made."
One of the “non-American Americans” here, if I understand the counter-speak correctly. The Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy, founded on the political philosophy of Harry Jaffa who is credited with the line in Goldwater’s 1964 nomination acceptance speech “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue” and who believed Robert Bork of all people was insufficiently conservative, an Institute which has as a Senior Fellow John Eastman (soon to be disbarred) and is closely aligned with Hillsdale College should be scaring the bejeebers out of us.
Ellmers rambling “‘Conservatism’ Is No Longer Enough” (the entirety of which I read) has to be read a few times through to let it really sink in. At first pass it’s chest bounding for The Claremont Institute. At least it’s able to separate Trump the individual from Trumpism the movement and is no fan of the former given his bombastic personality and therefore is not the Chosen One to lead them forward. The essay is written ambiguous enough to draw in the uninitiated, lacking in concrete steps forward for the counter-revolution, but on second and third reads the nuances of catch phrases are the start of a dangerous manifesto.
“The rule of the majority in America would be limited in principle to doing what could only rightly be done by all the people. That is, the majority acting in and through the Constitution, could not infringe the rights of the minority. The government derived its authority from consent of all the American people, who created the Union to protect their natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That meant no more kings exercising authority by “divine right”; no more hereditary aristocracy; no more established churches; and no permanent bureaucracy staffed by unaccountable “experts.” For the first time, the idea of a social compact uniting all the people would form a truly nonpartisan regime.
The great difficulty is that this idea only works if everyone agrees—that is, if everyone “gets it” and acknowledges that we are all fellow citizens (friends, ultimately) and that any temporary majority in power must represent the rights and interests of all.”
Non-partisan? Rightly done? All the people? Which “all”? The non-partisan All that is left after the purge of the “non-American Americans”? What is meant by “temporary majority“?
It does however leave this non-American American wondering what are their intentions for those of us non-MAGA voters that are not “understanding of the right principles, but also the detailed knowledge and practical wisdom needed to apply those principles to our specific circumstances. “
I look forward to reading about more pieces of the 3-D puzzle as they fall into place.
What an excellent commentary! Thank you in every way for your support and the encouragement I received from reading your delightfully perspicacious writing.
Thank you. According to my wife and a few former coworkers, I’m a professional rabbit holer. “delightfully perspicacious writing”. I take that as a big compliment l. I was born with the math gene, not the English gene. Spelling and grammar is atrocious. I can do technical writing, but that’s it.
I was born with the English language gene. though as I have gotten older I have developed a very real interest in mathematics. As for spelling, let us all hail and praise the inventor of the Spell Checker!
Once again, you speak truth: America is a country divided with a very serious philosophical chicken and egg problem.
My questions are: did it get that way because of rigorous philosophical driven belief sets; or, are independent events in a chaotically mathematical sense coalescing into a new reality that is still trying to figure out what it is? Are all of the philosophical efforts merely about providing some form of “intellectual structure” for each of the potential chaotic end states? The topology almost defies description.
Overwhelming chaotic complexity could also be a big driver for the simplistic MAGA reactionary rhetoric and action set up by by opportunistic people like TFG and his minions: thinking is impossible so merely get people to act irrationally on their angry feelings and ignore the consequences, until the “system” reigns aberrant behavior in or is altered to allow it. The minions’ goal is authoritarian domination by any means possible. Irrational anger is a powerful motivator, and a tool.
Capital is a lifeless zombie who doesn’t care who wins or loses so long as it can make irrational amounts of money and is allowed to influence politicians, elections and laws with impunity.
Dominionism has been around for a long time, but thrives in disturbed soil, as do disturbed souls. I’m thinking it’s an opportunistic independent event that has been allowed to fester. It’s adherents feel they gain some modicum of control over their lives through it and want to impose it on everyone while American Democracy is being redefined. It’s the ultimate approach to proselytization, and, is driven by intellectual philosophy, however misguided.
Thank you. You make some excellent observations and pose some valid questions. I especially agree with your statement that "The topology almost defies description." This is a large part of why I have taken to thinking about the current era and its problems as a very real open systems problem that may best be described as a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle with open borders.
Chaotic systems are generally unbounded. Observation and less than infinite knowledge does the binding, for a while, like in weather prediction. Asimov took a stab at human psychohistory via mathematical predictions in his Foundation series and correctly concluded, in my opinion, that the end result depends on critical choices and decisions made along the way. And, of course, chaos had not been identified fully as a discrete mathematical process when he wrote it in 1955.
The challenge is the same with the competing chaotic elements in America today: what will the new stabilized equilibrium look like, or will there be one? Gotta wake people up so we can find out.
I am honored that you have invoked the spirit of Asimov's Hari Seldon in the context of my work!
Indeed critical choices and decisions are the most crucial elements in the creation of any foundation; and I earnestly endeavor with my current focus to stand fast against the parrot regime of religiosity foisting its anciently derived moralism upon all who would seek to advance the ever increasing and improving scientifically based progress of our common humanity into a future full of unbounded possibilities for genuine goodness to abound.
That has to be one of the best articles written on the current situation in the US.
Robert , i may have a different view or opinion, on some of the statements made.
But one thing for sure II love Your writing
Again I am indebted to you for your sincere affirmation of my work. As you hail from the Great White North I value your perspective. If you would be so kind, I am interested to know more about your "different view or opinion, on some of the statements made."
One of the “non-American Americans” here, if I understand the counter-speak correctly. The Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy, founded on the political philosophy of Harry Jaffa who is credited with the line in Goldwater’s 1964 nomination acceptance speech “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue” and who believed Robert Bork of all people was insufficiently conservative, an Institute which has as a Senior Fellow John Eastman (soon to be disbarred) and is closely aligned with Hillsdale College should be scaring the bejeebers out of us.
Ellmers rambling “‘Conservatism’ Is No Longer Enough” (the entirety of which I read) has to be read a few times through to let it really sink in. At first pass it’s chest bounding for The Claremont Institute. At least it’s able to separate Trump the individual from Trumpism the movement and is no fan of the former given his bombastic personality and therefore is not the Chosen One to lead them forward. The essay is written ambiguous enough to draw in the uninitiated, lacking in concrete steps forward for the counter-revolution, but on second and third reads the nuances of catch phrases are the start of a dangerous manifesto.
“The rule of the majority in America would be limited in principle to doing what could only rightly be done by all the people. That is, the majority acting in and through the Constitution, could not infringe the rights of the minority. The government derived its authority from consent of all the American people, who created the Union to protect their natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That meant no more kings exercising authority by “divine right”; no more hereditary aristocracy; no more established churches; and no permanent bureaucracy staffed by unaccountable “experts.” For the first time, the idea of a social compact uniting all the people would form a truly nonpartisan regime.
The great difficulty is that this idea only works if everyone agrees—that is, if everyone “gets it” and acknowledges that we are all fellow citizens (friends, ultimately) and that any temporary majority in power must represent the rights and interests of all.”
Non-partisan? Rightly done? All the people? Which “all”? The non-partisan All that is left after the purge of the “non-American Americans”? What is meant by “temporary majority“?
It does however leave this non-American American wondering what are their intentions for those of us non-MAGA voters that are not “understanding of the right principles, but also the detailed knowledge and practical wisdom needed to apply those principles to our specific circumstances. “
I look forward to reading about more pieces of the 3-D puzzle as they fall into place.
https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/the-claremont-institute-for-the-study-of-statesmanship-and-political-philosophy/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_V._Jaffa
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/12/conservativism_is_no_longer_enough_its_time_for_something_new.html
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/4/1/22356594/conservatives-right-wing-democracy-claremont-ellmers
What an excellent commentary! Thank you in every way for your support and the encouragement I received from reading your delightfully perspicacious writing.
Thank you. According to my wife and a few former coworkers, I’m a professional rabbit holer. “delightfully perspicacious writing”. I take that as a big compliment l. I was born with the math gene, not the English gene. Spelling and grammar is atrocious. I can do technical writing, but that’s it.
I was born with the English language gene. though as I have gotten older I have developed a very real interest in mathematics. As for spelling, let us all hail and praise the inventor of the Spell Checker!
Once again, you speak truth: America is a country divided with a very serious philosophical chicken and egg problem.
My questions are: did it get that way because of rigorous philosophical driven belief sets; or, are independent events in a chaotically mathematical sense coalescing into a new reality that is still trying to figure out what it is? Are all of the philosophical efforts merely about providing some form of “intellectual structure” for each of the potential chaotic end states? The topology almost defies description.
Overwhelming chaotic complexity could also be a big driver for the simplistic MAGA reactionary rhetoric and action set up by by opportunistic people like TFG and his minions: thinking is impossible so merely get people to act irrationally on their angry feelings and ignore the consequences, until the “system” reigns aberrant behavior in or is altered to allow it. The minions’ goal is authoritarian domination by any means possible. Irrational anger is a powerful motivator, and a tool.
Capital is a lifeless zombie who doesn’t care who wins or loses so long as it can make irrational amounts of money and is allowed to influence politicians, elections and laws with impunity.
Dominionism has been around for a long time, but thrives in disturbed soil, as do disturbed souls. I’m thinking it’s an opportunistic independent event that has been allowed to fester. It’s adherents feel they gain some modicum of control over their lives through it and want to impose it on everyone while American Democracy is being redefined. It’s the ultimate approach to proselytization, and, is driven by intellectual philosophy, however misguided.
Thank you. You make some excellent observations and pose some valid questions. I especially agree with your statement that "The topology almost defies description." This is a large part of why I have taken to thinking about the current era and its problems as a very real open systems problem that may best be described as a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle with open borders.
Thank you for the comments.
Chaotic systems are generally unbounded. Observation and less than infinite knowledge does the binding, for a while, like in weather prediction. Asimov took a stab at human psychohistory via mathematical predictions in his Foundation series and correctly concluded, in my opinion, that the end result depends on critical choices and decisions made along the way. And, of course, chaos had not been identified fully as a discrete mathematical process when he wrote it in 1955.
The challenge is the same with the competing chaotic elements in America today: what will the new stabilized equilibrium look like, or will there be one? Gotta wake people up so we can find out.
Keep up the great work.
I am honored that you have invoked the spirit of Asimov's Hari Seldon in the context of my work!
Indeed critical choices and decisions are the most crucial elements in the creation of any foundation; and I earnestly endeavor with my current focus to stand fast against the parrot regime of religiosity foisting its anciently derived moralism upon all who would seek to advance the ever increasing and improving scientifically based progress of our common humanity into a future full of unbounded possibilities for genuine goodness to abound.