From Dmitri Orlov: "Two-Step to Empire"

[arendt]

The Russians are the absolute best at droll sarcasm. LOL!!!

http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/

FRIDAY, MARCH 07, 2008

Two-Step to Empire

ClubOrlov officially endorses Richard Cheney as the candidate for US Emperor. Dick is superbly suited to serve as the imperial figurehead for the few months or years that he and/or the US Empire will continue to exist. Thanks to the efforts of the Bush/Cheney administration, the constitution of the United States has been reduced to a largely inconsequential historical document, and this should make the transition from Republican to imperial administration an even simpler matter than it was in Rome under Julius Caesar. Since Cheney has already pronounced the Office of the Vice President to be a new, fourth branch of government, all that remains is for him to to rename it Office of the Emperor, and to prune back some of the other branches.

Such evolutionary measures would be timely. Many American commentators have pointed out that a new cold war and an arms race should be starting up between the United States and Russia. That the Russians remain largely unimpressed by America's hostile overtures towards them is a clear indication of how ineffectual American pseudo-democracy has become. In comparison, Russian pseudo-democracy appears to be evolving by leaps and bounds. Just a few days ago, a new Russian President was elected, with a minimum of fuss and zero uncertainty as to the outcome of the election. The successor was appointed by his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, and the electorate cheerfully ratified his decision. His choice of successor is most felicitous: the new president's name is Dmitry, as is mine, he is about my age, about my height, from my home town (St. Petersburg), and from a similar family background (academic). Clearly, he is a swell fellow, and only an enemy of ClubOrlov could dislike him.

In comparison, the menagerie of American presidential candidates leaves much to be desired. We have an Eva Perón sort of candidate: not unexpected, since having the wife of the president run the country is a great American tradition (Latin American, until now, but that distinction is fast fading into insignificance). Whatever happens, don't cry for her, Argent... um... América... del Norte! We also have a tempestuous geriatric, who would like to bomb-bomb-bomb Iran. He believes that the lack of military success in Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq or Afghanistan is due to civilian meddling in military affairs, and has nothing to do with the idiotic choice of missions, such as his idea of attacking Iran. Last but not least, we have the son of an anthropologist, an empath with a special ability to create a powerful psychological suction. The vacuum he creates sucks in his followers' hopes, whatever they may be. He might do for us is what Jane Goodall did for the chimps: hand out bananas and watch the chimps fight over them. Some of us chimps have the audacity to hope that your bananas will become ours.

All of this playing at politics is completely unnecessary. Democracy is for those capable of self-governance. Americans are not interested in governing themselves, but in watching television, and the political spectacle does not make for particularly compelling television viewing. To make it more interesting, I would like to propose a process of political reform which I call "Two-Step to Empire." Step 1: McCain chooses Cheney as his running mate and, come November, Diebold comes up with some numbers to show that they have won; Step 2: Cheney renames "Office of the Vice President" to "Office of the Emperor" while McCain gratefully fades from view, his mission completed.

<snip>

More at:

http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/

[arendt]

1. kick n/t

[Strelnikov_]

2. Looking forward to his forthcoming book

The stuff I have read of his regarding the post-Soviet collapse provides valuable food-for-thought in how to navigate the looming discontinuity.

I don't agree with his depth of pessimism regarding the US political system. The Reich played their hand too soon, and will probably get the blame for the unfolding train wreck. The proles somewhat awoke in '06, and following a setback in the '08 presidential, I think '10 and '12 will sweep a new progressive era into power.

Not that it will make much difference in preserving business as usual, but the landing will be somewhat softened.

[Winterblues]

3. Americans are not interested in governing themselves,

Sad but true words indeed....Otherwise we would have a Government that Maintained the Health and Welfare of the Nation which really is the only purpose of government, certainly not perpetual war....and it is because only about 60% of eligible voters even bother to cast a vote..and less than fifty percent of Americans can tell you who the Vice President is or Speaker of the House..

[The2ndWheel]

5. We can't govern ourselves

That's why we elect professionals to do it. That's why we get professionals to make sure the professionals we elected do their job correctly. We couldn't actually govern ourselves and have a functioning America.

[femrap]

4. K and R....

this should be on the front page.

He is right about Americans not being able to handle collapse as well as the Russians. I hate the thought of getting a gun.