Reply #12: Rugged Individualism [View All]

[gumby]

"Rugged Individualism" is one of the main components of the American Myth that the 'property Christians' have exploited very successfully. It works as a mirror image of the 'volk' in Nazi Germany. Both these impulses work to suppress the power of the people against the powerful.

In one case, the citizen is to work as a mere powerless cog in the State function. In the other case -- from Reagan to Limbaugh -- individualism propaganda is used to break down communal power (as in labor unions) to the lowest power position of a single individual. At this point, an individual -- no matter how "rugged" -- has little power to protect themselves from cannibalistic capitalism. A "rugged individual" has little power over multinational corporations, or even the most powerful company in any State.

The "rugged individualism" myth has been used to turn citizens against the very government they are supposed to control and protect them against the excesses of wealth and power.

Now, when a elitist dressed in the right Cowboy costume comes along, those who have been so bombarded jump with glee and put their support behind fascism with the zeal of a revival.