Democracy is for sissies

[chookie]

No, that's not what *I* am saying....

Something has been bugging me. Maybe you can help me understand.

George W has defined his version of true America as fiercely nationalistic, ruthless, deeply religious, and militaristic -- and his fervent supporters LOVE him for it, and tell us every day that this is the way God intended America to be. Daily, liberalism is ridiculed as weak and outmoded.

But, if this strong religious nation is the ideal system of government for America, why is it not okay for other nations? One Ring to Rule Them All, I suppose....

Anyone scratch their heads when His Chimperial Highness talks about his ambition to establish "liberal democracies" throughout the world, and pretty much stipulates that in the Middle East, they should be secular, and that this is a good this, and great progress. Why the sudden respect for "liberal democracies" -- or is this just Bullshit/Code for "Puppet States"? Why, in this context, don't his fervent followers (aka TFMs) object to his spread of liberal democracy, when they hate *us* so much? Doesn't liberalism, for wackos, connotate godless iniquity, sexual deviance, baby murder and hybrid cars?

[magellan]

1. Mayhaps because liberal democracies

...provide the best care for the people, thus keeping them happy and with no reason to rise up against the puppet governments Bush** installs to lead them?

Theoretically speaking, that is. He has yet to make it stick...probably because he has no clue what a liberal or a democracy really are.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. It depends on the crowd he is talking to as to what the verbiage

is going to be. I.e. all words don't mean the same thing to all people.

[theanarch]

3. When the neo-con's...

...spout terms like "liberal democracy", they're just selling Texas Shit Sandwichs--it's merely a rhetorical device devoid of any and all meaning. One judges intent (and character) by actions, not words, and the kinds of governments the neo-cons want in our newly conquered possessions are the same old satrap-administered dictatorships, propped up with tanks and attack helicopters, previous regimes preferred during the Cold War. The use of such language is purposely intended to deceive the public into thinking "we" are doing something noble and virtuous, when quite the opposite is true.

[magellan]

4. But they have set up universal health care and public schooling

...in Iraq, such as it is. Perhaps their idea of a liberal democracy is what we in the real world would call a social dictatorship.

The neocons are depraved lunatics.

[theanarch]

5. no, Iraq had these things...

...before we invaded; the whole point of destroying the infrastructure was to funnel billions of tax payer dollars to US-based multi-nationals in the form of "reconstruction" projects (see John Perkins, "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"). There is no educational system in Iraq today...just a few GI-painted schools with no electricity, running water, books, teachers or students. There is no national health care, just a lot of bombed/looted hospitals and clinics with few supplies and a depleted/overworked cadre of medical providers slapping whatever bandaids they can on an exponentially-growing caseload.

Perhaps the confusion arises from the term "liberal" (perhaps, 'neo-liberal' would be more appropriate)in an economic sense, which has always been defined (in practice as well as theory) as privitizing everything--natural resources, health care, education, transportation, communications, etc...the typical IMF/World Bank package of "economic reforms" imposed as preconditions for refinancing loans. We tend to think of "liberalism" as a form of doing-good, or good works; while in the economic meaning of the term, the exact opposite has always been the case.

[chookie]

6. Makes sense

Interesting perspective. It makes sense from the elitist or even plutocrat side, although I kinda doubt Bush's "other" base (Total Fucking Morons) are thinking at this level.

Nice to meet you, theanarch :hi: and welcome to DU. Keep making sense!!

[magellan]

7. Ah, I think you're right

I knew we hadn't actually put the health care and school system back online ("such as it is", meaning largely useless). But I hadn't thought about the neo-lib connection, or that 'freedom on the march' might refer to the so-called free market.

So by liberal democracy they really mean neo-liberal dictatorship...which is just a kind way of saying fascism. The theocratic anarchy currently reigning in Iraq must be another one of those corners they're turning.

I'd dearly love to see the Iraqi response to private health insurance brokers and school vouchers, really I would. BushCo and the puppet government think they've got trouble now....