CarolSeer2016

Both private property and religion act (or should act) as bulwarks against the power of government. (Stalin abolished both, as you know). Capitalism abandoned its role, as did religion, as a countervailing power to the "power of the sword" and the "power of the purse" when it became crony capitalism.

Mankind, throughout most of history (well, in the last 2 millenia, at least) has evolved some methods to curtail, limit and prevent a concentration of power, and its abuse. (The Investiture Controversy in the time of Charlemagne, and the Magna Carta are examples of some of the first attempts at limiting power.)

When the holders of property and the holders of knowledge, either scientific or religious, align with the sword and the purse, then power becomes concentrated and freedom vanishes.

Can you understand how Socialism and C*******m, products of 19th century philosophy, are particularly, and insidiously, dangerous in implementing a concentration of power? And in more than one way.

We are at that period in Mankind's history when it has become imperative that we learn how to govern ourselves. Unfortunately, and perhaps fatally so, BHO's latest perverted irrationality is that a concentration of power is inevitable. That is regressive, not progressive.

My young Vietnamese foreign exchange student told me she was taught that the problem with a democracy is that one man or group of men could obtain power. I replied that couldn't happen in American where we have the doctrine of separation of powers. But that now seems to be disappearing.

I'll end with this cautionary word:

More evil has been done in the name of the "Greater Good" in the last 200 years of human history than in the 2 millenia preceeding it."

Food for thought.

Brian Devon

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Most of the evil done throughout human history has been done in the name of religion. People have fought very hard to win the "God loves my side better than he loves your side" trophy for a long, long, time.

As H.G. Wells noted, the war technology keeps getting better even if the people don't.

CarolSeer2016

Read history, Brian, and think deeply. You have only a superficial outlook.

Brian Devon

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Carol,

What specifically is superficial about my post?

bahmer

Great post thank you.

CarolSeer2016

Thanks for asking nicely, Brian.

1. You didn't comment at all on my use of "countervailing" powers.

2. Religious wars were waged under the "banner of God"--not necessarily "for" God. Just as they are today.
Nor in 2,000 years were as many people slaughtered as was done in the last 200 years. You can put it down to "advanced" weaponry, or even a greater population; nevertheless there was never the carnage previously as during the two world wars of the last century.

The notion of the "Greater Good" presupposes that the life of the individual is valueless, and one consequence is that those in power are prone to, perhaps, the use of those lives without conscience.

Sicilianthing

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Very true and that's why guys like me with millions of others are going to
FIGHT !
To get rid of that ideology again...

But this time, when the dust settles... we're going to make sure it never happens again !

CarolSeer2016

Thank you!!!

Sicilianthing

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We have a lotta work to do...

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Just a note, CarolSeer2016. It has been stated by some on the OPP that the Islamic religion has k**led some 270 (+,-) million people in it's quest for power over the last 2,000 years, unless they are mistaken. If true, that would certainly far exceed the losses of the last 200 years, including the two world wars of the last century.

If it's any consolation, I would tend to agree with you. 8-)

CarolSeer2016

You know, I might question that figure. I just wonder if the totality of the human population ever reached 270,000,000.
I really don't know, though.

Reminds me of an SF story about babies being born (in India-because of the belief in reincarnation) without a soul, because there hadn't been enough people that had been born and died previously so that there were no more souls left--it was just a story!

CarolSeer2016

Well, I meant during the Europe of that time!

Brian Devon

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Carol. You made some very good points. I think the "greater good" argument is the same as the "end justifies the means". The due process clause, of the constitution, is supposed to be a defense against that type of thinking......but obviously only when the govt. follows it, which apparently is not all the time.

CarolSeer2016

Decided to try to do the math--In World War II and the years leading up to it, perhaps about 5-10 years, with a low estimate of 20,000,000 deaths, I guess that's about 2,000.000--4,000,000 a year.

Now for 270,000,000 over 1000-1400 (not 2,000) years, let me see, if I divide 270,000,000 by 1,000 I get 270,000 per year or if I divide 270,000,000 by 2,000 I get 135,000 per year.
Not even close to 2-4 million per year!!

Maybe I made a mistake---it's totally mind-blowing!

CarolSeer2016

Brian, I can't tell if you're on our side or theirs???