Comments on: We're All Participatory Fascists Now? http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/ The Sweet Release of Reason Tue, 22 May 2012 20:28:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: Guest http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20713 Guest Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:38:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20713 The user deleted this comment. The user deleted this comment.

]]> By: andrewwang http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20712 andrewwang Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:38:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20712 There is bad news about George Herbert Walker Bush.<br> <br>What if basically all racial-minority people would subscribe to the interpretations that George Herbert Walker Bush committed monstrous, racist, hate crimes while he was the President of the United States?<br> <br>It will eventually come out: it is only a matter of time.<br> <br>Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang, J.D. Candidate<br>B.S., With the Highest Level of Academic Honors at Graduation, 1996<br>Messiah College, Grantham, PA<br>Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993<br><br>(I can type 90 words per minute, and there are thousands of copies on the Internet indicating the content of this post. And there are at least hundreds of copies in very many countries around the world.)<br>_________________<br>“If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Off the top of my head—it came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook. There is bad news about George Herbert Walker Bush.

What if basically all racial-minority people would subscribe to the interpretations that George Herbert Walker Bush committed monstrous, racist, hate crimes while he was the President of the United States?

It will eventually come out: it is only a matter of time.

Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang, J.D. Candidate
B.S., With the Highest Level of Academic Honors at Graduation, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

(I can type 90 words per minute, and there are thousands of copies on the Internet indicating the content of this post. And there are at least hundreds of copies in very many countries around the world.)
_________________
“If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Off the top of my head—it came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

]]> By: Paul O'Pinion http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20711 Paul O'Pinion Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:08:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20711 Whether the "power elite" "manufacture consent" or not, we hear from the mass media what they want us to hear. Face it, Joe Sixpack is not delving into any discussions not shown on Good Morning America or the like. Web sites and blogs like this one are certainly available. "Joe" and family are not viewing them.<br>"Participatory Fascism" is spot-on. We participate, in that we choose between the candidates that are the darlings of the parties and/or the media. That means in a few years the party choice to replace Joe Biden as senator of Maryland, Ted Kaufman, will step aside and be replaced by Biden's son. That means that we, the voters, will never have the opportunity to vote on term limits or a reduction of the ridiculous salaries and benefits enjoyed by our elected officials (particularly congress and the senate). That means that the ABA will continue to press for more and more litigation, which naturally benefits lawyers, who, increasingly, control our government in all three branches. We also will not get a chance to see school vouchers (which work) given wide implementation because of the NEA which is a powerful lobby in the Democratic party. Simply look at the increase in the ratio of government employees to population on any level over the last 40 or 60 years for evidence of the "S" word. Our government simultaneously grows in scope and incompetence, while career politicians who don't pay their taxes and accept a variety of favors from lobbyists lecture us on morality.<br>We still have more opportunity here than elsewhere, but Mr. Higgs has nailed it. Whether the “power elite” “manufacture consent” or not, we hear from the mass media what they want us to hear. Face it, Joe Sixpack is not delving into any discussions not shown on Good Morning America or the like. Web sites and blogs like this one are certainly available. “Joe” and family are not viewing them.
“Participatory Fascism” is spot-on. We participate, in that we choose between the candidates that are the darlings of the parties and/or the media. That means in a few years the party choice to replace Joe Biden as senator of Maryland, Ted Kaufman, will step aside and be replaced by Biden's son. That means that we, the voters, will never have the opportunity to vote on term limits or a reduction of the ridiculous salaries and benefits enjoyed by our elected officials (particularly congress and the senate). That means that the ABA will continue to press for more and more litigation, which naturally benefits lawyers, who, increasingly, control our government in all three branches. We also will not get a chance to see school vouchers (which work) given wide implementation because of the NEA which is a powerful lobby in the Democratic party. Simply look at the increase in the ratio of government employees to population on any level over the last 40 or 60 years for evidence of the “S” word. Our government simultaneously grows in scope and incompetence, while career politicians who don't pay their taxes and accept a variety of favors from lobbyists lecture us on morality.
We still have more opportunity here than elsewhere, but Mr. Higgs has nailed it.

]]> By: Paul O'Pinion http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-22579 Paul O'Pinion Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:08:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-22579 Whether the "power elite" "manufacture consent" or not, we hear from the mass media what they want us to hear. Face it, Joe Sixpack is not delving into any discussions not shown on Good Morning America or the like. Web sites and blogs like this one are certainly available. "Joe" and family are not viewing them.<br>"Participatory Fascism" is spot-on. We participate, in that we choose between the candidates that are the darlings of the parties and/or the media. That means in a few years the party choice to replace Joe Biden as senator of Maryland, Ted Kaufman, will step aside and be replaced by Biden's son. That means that we, the voters, will never have the opportunity to vote on term limits or a reduction of the ridiculous salaries and benefits enjoyed by our elected officials (particularly congress and the senate). That means that the ABA will continue to press for more and more litigation, which naturally benefits lawyers, who, increasingly, control our government in all three branches. We also will not get a chance to see school vouchers (which work) given wide implementation because of the NEA which is a powerful lobby in the Democratic party. Simply look at the increase in the ratio of government employees to population on any level over the last 40 or 60 years for evidence of the "S" word. Our government simultaneously grows in scope and incompetence, while career politicians who don't pay their taxes and accept a variety of favors from lobbyists lecture us on morality.<br>We still have more opportunity here than elsewhere, but Mr. Higgs has nailed it. Whether the “power elite” “manufacture consent” or not, we hear from the mass media what they want us to hear. Face it, Joe Sixpack is not delving into any discussions not shown on Good Morning America or the like. Web sites and blogs like this one are certainly available. “Joe” and family are not viewing them.
“Participatory Fascism” is spot-on. We participate, in that we choose between the candidates that are the darlings of the parties and/or the media. That means in a few years the party choice to replace Joe Biden as senator of Maryland, Ted Kaufman, will step aside and be replaced by Biden's son. That means that we, the voters, will never have the opportunity to vote on term limits or a reduction of the ridiculous salaries and benefits enjoyed by our elected officials (particularly congress and the senate). That means that the ABA will continue to press for more and more litigation, which naturally benefits lawyers, who, increasingly, control our government in all three branches. We also will not get a chance to see school vouchers (which work) given wide implementation because of the NEA which is a powerful lobby in the Democratic party. Simply look at the increase in the ratio of government employees to population on any level over the last 40 or 60 years for evidence of the “S” word. Our government simultaneously grows in scope and incompetence, while career politicians who don't pay their taxes and accept a variety of favors from lobbyists lecture us on morality.
We still have more opportunity here than elsewhere, but Mr. Higgs has nailed it.

]]> By: Freddie http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20710 Freddie Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:01:17 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20710 <i>Yet I cannot help but think that the ability of the “power elite” to ”manufacture consent” is eroding.</i><br><br>I hope you're right. I don't think you are, but I certainly hope so. Yet I cannot help but think that the ability of the “power elite” to ”manufacture consent” is eroding.

I hope you're right. I don't think you are, but I certainly hope so.

]]> By: webgrrl http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20709 webgrrl Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:46:23 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20709 still better than what we have - the endless campaign for office is destructive to society. True, I should have mentioned the shorter term was introduced in the 2002 cycle. Thanks, Andre! still better than what we have – the endless campaign for office is destructive to society. True, I should have mentioned the shorter term was introduced in the 2002 cycle. Thanks, Andre!

]]> By: Andre Kenji http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20708 Andre Kenji Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:18:42 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20708 "The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns. "<br><br>Now it´s just five years. “The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns. “

Now it´s just five years.

]]> By: GU http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20707 GU Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:06:04 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20707 <blockquote>"The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns. "</blockquote><br><br>This seems like a negative aspect, not a positive one, at least projected onto American politics. Almost everything that every American president or realistic presidential candidate desires to accomplish would be bad from a classical liberal/libertarian standpoint. I see your point about the longer term giving more "slack" to the politician, but i guess I'm too cynical to believe it would help in the U.S.

“The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns. “

This seems like a negative aspect, not a positive one, at least projected onto American politics. Almost everything that every American president or realistic presidential candidate desires to accomplish would be bad from a classical liberal/libertarian standpoint. I see your point about the longer term giving more “slack” to the politician, but i guess I'm too cynical to believe it would help in the U.S.

]]> By: webgrrl http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20706 webgrrl Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:29:21 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20706 I'm not understanding this Newsweek article one bit. It keeps saying "we'll be more French" but in what way? I have actually lived in France! There are great things about France!<br><br>In France, there is no religious-babying nonsense. It's all secularism all the time. Forget the headscarves, crosses and prayer breakfasts. This is a great, great thing. <br><br>Also, there is no victim-class special pleading. There is 1 identity: French. So there's much less whining and pitting of one fake group against another fake group for political advantage. <br><br>In general, it's a good technocracy, very merit-based. You passed the bac or you did not. Your score got you into the Grand Ecole or it did not. If you have those credentials, you have the shot, or not. No legacy admittances allowed. It is a more level playing field in this way. <br><br>The parliamentary system there works better than the dysfunctional Congress we currently have. The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns. <br><br>Since the central government is stronger, funding and resources are more equally distributed from Paris. There's less quease-inducing disparity in things like school spending; you don't have to feel bad that inner-city kids don't have textbooks. Again, that playing field's more level. <br><br>The health system there is actually much better and more sane than the one here. It consumes less of GDP and the malpractice vultures don't exist. Sure, French doctors complain that they don't have the status of American ones. So what - health outcomes are measurably better.<br><br>The bad parts of France should be avoided - the restricted price competition, the crazy apprentice and hiring system that creates an intolerable structural chomage, the fatalistic attitudes.<br><br>You might want to complain that they kow-tow to farmers, but hey we still do it too. So we can't really say anything. <br><br>Overall, being more French in certain ways could be a real improvement. But it might be better to be more Swedish. The Danes also have a very good country. . . . I'm not understanding this Newsweek article one bit. It keeps saying “we'll be more French” but in what way? I have actually lived in France! There are great things about France!

In France, there is no religious-babying nonsense. It's all secularism all the time. Forget the headscarves, crosses and prayer breakfasts. This is a great, great thing.

Also, there is no victim-class special pleading. There is 1 identity: French. So there's much less whining and pitting of one fake group against another fake group for political advantage.

In general, it's a good technocracy, very merit-based. You passed the bac or you did not. Your score got you into the Grand Ecole or it did not. If you have those credentials, you have the shot, or not. No legacy admittances allowed. It is a more level playing field in this way.

The parliamentary system there works better than the dysfunctional Congress we currently have. The 7 year presidency means the guy has time to get stuff done, no permanent campaigns.

Since the central government is stronger, funding and resources are more equally distributed from Paris. There's less quease-inducing disparity in things like school spending; you don't have to feel bad that inner-city kids don't have textbooks. Again, that playing field's more level.

The health system there is actually much better and more sane than the one here. It consumes less of GDP and the malpractice vultures don't exist. Sure, French doctors complain that they don't have the status of American ones. So what – health outcomes are measurably better.

The bad parts of France should be avoided – the restricted price competition, the crazy apprentice and hiring system that creates an intolerable structural chomage, the fatalistic attitudes.

You might want to complain that they kow-tow to farmers, but hey we still do it too. So we can't really say anything.

Overall, being more French in certain ways could be a real improvement. But it might be better to be more Swedish. The Danes also have a very good country. . . .

]]> By: Will http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20705 Will Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:16:49 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20705 If people withdraw into "alternative institutions," doesn't that imply they've already ceded control of the policy-making process to powerful elites? If people withdraw into “alternative institutions,” doesn't that imply they've already ceded control of the policy-making process to powerful elites?

]]> By: Thomas http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20704 Thomas Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:34:55 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20704 It's the median voter theorem and you seem to have a very primitive grasp on it, which is irrelevant it the entire elite has the same ideal point. And if I understand the insider elite dominance point, it is that the entire elite has the same ideal point. <br><br>This may be a reflection of Downsian convergence in a two-party system. And while that is surely like the MVT (the center rules), it is not the same thing as the Median Voter Theorem. It's the median voter theorem and you seem to have a very primitive grasp on it, which is irrelevant it the entire elite has the same ideal point. And if I understand the insider elite dominance point, it is that the entire elite has the same ideal point.

This may be a reflection of Downsian convergence in a two-party system. And while that is surely like the MVT (the center rules), it is not the same thing as the Median Voter Theorem.

]]> By: DYSPEPSIA GENERATION » Blog Archive » We’re All Participatory Fascists Now? http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/08/were-all-participatory-fascists-now/#comment-20703 DYSPEPSIA GENERATION » Blog Archive » We’re All Participatory Fascists Now? Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:16:25 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2736#comment-20703 [...] Will Wilkinson wonders about the way some people use language. [...] [...] Will Wilkinson wonders about the way some people use language. [...]

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