[MD] Democracy

[Platt Holden]

Hi Ham, 

> I am as disappointed by the election results as you are, Platt.  But it
> was 
> a long time coming, and the leftist/liberal media, an untimely credit 
> crisis, and the first African-American presidential candidate
> Teflon-coated 
> by a politically correct electorate made the outcome inevitable.

Maybe so, but the outcome might have been different if our candidate had 
presented a choice, not an echo of liberal policies .

>The
> truth 
> is that America has been drifting left of center at least ever since the
> Reagan administration.  And because State Socialism is no longer viewed as
> the wayward daughter of Communism,  the 'American Dream' has become a
> civil 
> right rather than a goal to be achieved by individual initiative and hard
> work.

Yes. Self-responsiblity has been replaced by self-sacrifice to the state. 
Involuntary servitude, disguised as "community service," is making a 
comeback.  

> Unfortunately philosophical ideals are too far removed from politics to 
> exert much affect on the voting public, particularly when 97% of our 
> minority population are convinced that electing a Black president is the
> best thing we've done for our country.  I don't know what you mean by
> "while 
> I still have the chance", but I'd be very surprised if the Fairness
> Doctrine 
> could pass Congress and the Supreme Court, even with a Democrat majority.
> Certainly state censoring of the free press and Internet would rouse the
> public's fury, and we still have a representative government no matter how
> far left it leans.

I pray you are right. But Western "liberal" governments like those in 
Canada and Sweden have put anti-hate speech laws on the books. And one
does not see an uprising in Australia over censorship of the Internet. The 
cancer is well established and spreading.   
 
> However, in support of your noble cause, this piece of ironic prose by an
> unknown author was forwarded to me recently.  While it's too late to wield
> any influence on this liberal audience, it may raise a few eyebrows and 
> provide a source of amusement.

Thanks for sharing. Those unfamiliar with history are bound to repeat it. 
Unfortunately, we just did. 

Regards,
Platt


> CHANGE...
> 
> In the late 1950's most Cubans thought Cuba needed "a change" and
> they were right.  So when a young, dynamic leader came along, every
> Cuban
> was at least receptive.  When the young leader spoke eloquently and
> passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with
> him.
> They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed
> in.
> 
> He said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care
> and
> education to all, and everyone followed.
> He said he would bring justice and equality to all, and everyone said 
> "Praise the Lord!"
> The young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change,"
> and 
> everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
> But by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had
> been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor,
> hungry, and oppressed.
> By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing.
> By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now 
> working for him.
> By the time "the change" was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked
> down 
> a couple of notches to Third-World status.
> By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to 
> boats, rafts, and inner tubes.
> 
> Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who promised
> change without asking, "what change?"  Would we?