Believe it or not; like it or not, at the end of the day, the most effective form of government is an autocracy. And this should not be so hard to fathom; Autocratic rule has been the foundation of human life, ever since the first humanoids (supposedly) walked out of a cave, 10,000 years ago. Initially known as the Chief, that title morphed into what was eventually called a Monarchy; and over the centuries became a Divine Right, bestowed on certain families, thus making it a RIGHT, not a privilege for an individual to be KING, or QUEEN. That said, this birthright could be in the hands of a complete moron, he would still be King.
Autocratic rule is, as expected, driven by an autocrat; and most human beings like to be led - to be told what to do and would gladly comply, if only the autocrat would be more considerate, more understanding. if a civilization is fortunate enough to have a firm but compassionate and sensitive leader – one who seriously cares about the people he rules, then all is well; the people are contented and the kingdom prospers. However, most autocrats are selfish, self-centered, lacking in empathy and, all too often, paranoid, resulting in suffering at all levels for the citizens. History is littered with autocrats, good and bad; and the world celebrates them, even if in their infamy. Starting with Alexander the Great – and this is by no means a complete list, we have the likes of Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot; and we cannot ignore the European monarchs who wreaked havoc across the continent for centuries. Occasionally, there was good monarch – consider France’s Louis XV; was sensitive, considerate and caring and for 50 plus years; the country was at peace and the people lived a relatively pleasant life; twenty years after his death, under Louis XVl, French citizens revolted and heads rolled. And 20 years after that, another despot was created, flourished for a while then failed. Thus, as a result of this uncontrollable variable – the autocrat, society concluded that autocracies simply did not work; – and let me add, in the overall best interest of the people they ruled. Too much power in the hands of ONE person.
Population discontent ultimately gave birth to the principles of Democracy, an idea which stated that all persons have the opportunity to choose their leaders and in so doing have a say in how their world would be governed. The model allowed “the people” to hold elections, at which time they could choose who they wanted to govern/lead them and their country. However, human corruption, greed and other vices soon made a mockery of this idea and not long thereafter the hapless people were back in the same position they were in under the autocrats. Russia is a perfect example of this - the bolshevik revolution,1917. However, consider the United States of America, presented as the bedrock of Democracy; after 200 plus years, an estimated 70% its citizens – approximately 200 million people, live in a range from abject poverty (the 100th percentile) to just getting by (the 30th percentile). The good life for American citizens does not materialize until you get below the 30th percentile; and exemplary life styles are reserved for the top 5%. Call it what you may but this is NOT a Democracy!
In reality, what has developed over time is that those running for political office (the leaders) have learned that voters, (the led) such as they are, are easily swayed; tell them something, loud enough long enough and frequent enough and they will accept and believe. The independent thought of a voter - for the most part, is a myth. Politicians have come to know this and have used it effectively over the years. The Brexit vote in Britain; election of Donald Trump in the United States; Greece, France and a host of other so called Democracies, all have been surprised by the swing voting positions of voters, due in large part to the overt and covert influencing techniques used by political engines. The difference today, versus in the past, is that with the explosion of social media, farming out misinformation as facts, has reached epidemic proportions, with no visible indications that it can controlled.
In reality, what has developed over time is that those running for political office (the leaders) have learned that voters, (the led) such as they are, are easily swayed; tell them something, loud enough long enough and frequent enough and they will accept and believe. The independent thought of a voter - for the most part, is a myth. Politicians have come to know this and have used it effectively over the years. The Brexit vote in Britain; election of Donald Trump in the United States; Greece, France and a host of other so called Democracies, all have been surprised by the swing voting positions of voters, due in large part to the overt and covert influencing techniques used by political engines. The difference today, versus in the past, is that with the explosion of social media, farming out misinformation as facts, has reached epidemic proportions, with no visible indications that it can controlled.
The concept of a consolidated Europe is as fundamental in its significance and contribution to a well managed world order, as is (a consolidated) United States of America. Yet there are those - Putin included, who for selfish reasons, would like to see the European Union fail; and with the powers of "voter influencing" at their disposal, they are on the way to making their objective a reality.
For the past 100 plus years, the United States of America has never been anything BUT a great country - the pivot point in Western Europe's victories in both World conflicts - WW1 and WW2; and becoming the leader of the Free World, post the end of WW2 thru current times - temporary financial collapses and occasional internal conflicts, notwithstanding. Yet Trump and his support machine were able to successfully convince millions of voters/people that America was a swamp that needed to be drained; that the country was awash in illegal immigrants to epidemic proportions and that Hilary Clinton was a criminal who needed to be locked up; and that HE and only HE was the solution for what ailed "US" None of this was factual or accurate but it didn't really matter. The voters were convinced, based on the influencing techniques, referenced above and Trump won the election in 2016.
In the UK Boris Johnston said, as he accepted the position of Prime Minister "... the campaigning is over, its time to get to work..." Sadly, however, in the United States, politics has become a business unto itself, a process used by life-long politicians to convince the voting population that they (the politician) are the only salvation for them (the people) – the solution to all their problems. And this political process has now morphed into a 24/7 non-stop endeavor. The campaigning never stops and the work of the people never really starts. And what’s even worse, the objective of the party in the White House is to – a) undo everything put in place by the previous Administration; b) paint the worse possible picture of who is the opposition and market that slander to the voters. It may currently be at its worst, today under Trump, but it has always been this way. The result is, inevitably, government inertia – nothing gets done. As a country, for the last 10 years, we have not been able to arrive at a consensus on anything – Global Warming, Gun Control, Health Care, Immigration and a host of others issues, all of which need to be addressed and resolved. This is called a Dysfunctional Democracy - and there are many scattered all around the globe.
For a Democracy to work there must be an esprit de corps among and within the government; both sides are required to listen, evaluate based on merit and support where appropriate, even if the proposal is from the other side; thereby moving the government forward – getting stuff done! However, this is NOT what we have currently; instead of a well-oiled machine - tried and tested over the past 200 plus years, we have a system in disarray with everyone looking for their respective next win, with no regard for the hardships and suffering of the people they promised to serve, when they were voted into office. A Democracy such as described above, is no match for an Autocratic regime who’s leader has a clear map of what he wants to accomplish and with no one to tell him that he's not allowed.
For a Democracy to work there must be an esprit de corps among and within the government; both sides are required to listen, evaluate based on merit and support where appropriate, even if the proposal is from the other side; thereby moving the government forward – getting stuff done! However, this is NOT what we have currently; instead of a well-oiled machine - tried and tested over the past 200 plus years, we have a system in disarray with everyone looking for their respective next win, with no regard for the hardships and suffering of the people they promised to serve, when they were voted into office. A Democracy such as described above, is no match for an Autocratic regime who’s leader has a clear map of what he wants to accomplish and with no one to tell him that he's not allowed.
Enter Russia and Vladimir Putin. Immediately following the fall of the Soviet Union, the Western (Democratic) world celebrated their victory over Communism. China followed the USSR shortly thereafter, not by collapsing but loosening the reins of communism and allowing free market enterprises to flourish, albeit under government control. Putin came to power in 2000 and from that point forward was committed to rebuilding his country. On collapse of the Soviet Union, the States that together formed the USSR floated free as separate nations and Putin’s main objective was – and still is, to get them back under Russian control. Over the 19 years that followed, Putin coerced, eliminated, intimidated and manipulated his way to where he is today, sitting at the seat of power in a country that is on its way back (if not already there) to being a World Power. How did that happen? Not difficult to understand – Putin is an Autocrat, plain and simple. He did what he wanted to do with no reservations or restraints. He has rebuilt Russia’s military to be a modern-day fighting machine, formed alliances with all the countries the United States and the western world find abhorrent, encouraged, if not supported middle east terrorism - even as he appeared (to the west) to be against it; and is slowly, thru economic pressures and military intimidation, pulling the former soviet countries back under Russian control.
In order to completely accomplish his objective, Putin must achieve/complete two (2) key objectives – a) neutralize NATO, as a consolidated military machine; b) dismantle the European Union – a difficult task but one which he feels he can accomplish. For many years, post 2000, Russia has re-engaged the spy game – flooding western Europe and the United States with moles, dressed up as butterflies. And they have been successful; but his greatest accomplishment was yet to be achieved. Enter Donald Trump.
Since the late 90's this “person” has tried and failed to gain access to Putin. As David Corn set forth in Russian Roulette,Trump compromised himself in many different forms and venues; and one has to know that Putin – the consummate KGB spy that he was, did not overlook the treasure trove of information made available to him (through Trump’s outlandish behavior) for future use. In 2015, when Trump launched his candidacy for POTUS, Putin saw his golden moment materialize. He reeled Trump in, showed him the gathered information and gave him marching orders. He also promised to support his (Trump’s) efforts to win the White House with cyber attacks and major disinformation campaigns. Putin also knew that Hilary Clinton was a major distraction to his consolidation initiative. The targeted countries were all NATO alliances and the United States – nay, Hilary Clinton, would NEVER support his strategy. Clinton in the White House was a Putin nightmare. She had to be eliminated!
Since the late 90's this “person” has tried and failed to gain access to Putin. As David Corn set forth in Russian Roulette,Trump compromised himself in many different forms and venues; and one has to know that Putin – the consummate KGB spy that he was, did not overlook the treasure trove of information made available to him (through Trump’s outlandish behavior) for future use. In 2015, when Trump launched his candidacy for POTUS, Putin saw his golden moment materialize. He reeled Trump in, showed him the gathered information and gave him marching orders. He also promised to support his (Trump’s) efforts to win the White House with cyber attacks and major disinformation campaigns. Putin also knew that Hilary Clinton was a major distraction to his consolidation initiative. The targeted countries were all NATO alliances and the United States – nay, Hilary Clinton, would NEVER support his strategy. Clinton in the White House was a Putin nightmare. She had to be eliminated!
Putin was successful beyond his wildest dreams. His cyber warfare was extraordinarily effective; there was virtually no system he could not enter, no news source he could not manipulate. Let’s re-visit his goal – Dismantle both NATO and the EU. With Trump now his Trojan Horse, with marching orders to severely compromise the integrity and effectiveness of NATO, Putin turned to Western Europe and successfully sewed the seeds of discontent in the UK regarding the EU. No one ever expected Britain to vote for exiting the EU; just as no one ever thought Trump would win the 2016 PE; but both events came to fruition, much to the surprise and dismay of so many, on both sides of the Atlantic.
However, the unanswered question is - what does Trump have to gain from this cozening up to Putin; maybe he'll now get his Trump Tower Moscow; maybe Putin promised him a share of the vast wealth that awaits Russia as they gain control over the still untapped oil reserves buried beneath the melting glaziers of the Arctic North. We do know that Trump admires the Autocrat and secretly or otherwise, would like to be like Putin. Trump has already made overtures regarding extending his Presidential tenure past the mandatory two (2) terms - not a task he can achieve by himself, even with his visible control over Congress; but with Russia's assistance, who knows. Point is WE DON'T KNOW, but the signs are there. "We the people" have to start seeing events for what they are - as they unfold, not respond to the slanted rhetoric of the political talking head or glitzy Facebook Post unveiled in our FB account. The latter is what Trump is hoping will occur. In his mind, the more than 200 million eligible voters in the US are there to support HIS goals and objectives; and he will manipulate those people in whatever manner required to achieve his desired outcome. We must come together as a nation and stem this blight before in consumes us all.
If there’s anyone among you that still doesn’t grasp the strength and capabilities of an Autocratic governing force, compared to a Democracy, given the blatant and current comparison, as outlined, then you are totally asleep and need to wake up.
However, the unanswered question is - what does Trump have to gain from this cozening up to Putin; maybe he'll now get his Trump Tower Moscow; maybe Putin promised him a share of the vast wealth that awaits Russia as they gain control over the still untapped oil reserves buried beneath the melting glaziers of the Arctic North. We do know that Trump admires the Autocrat and secretly or otherwise, would like to be like Putin. Trump has already made overtures regarding extending his Presidential tenure past the mandatory two (2) terms - not a task he can achieve by himself, even with his visible control over Congress; but with Russia's assistance, who knows. Point is WE DON'T KNOW, but the signs are there. "We the people" have to start seeing events for what they are - as they unfold, not respond to the slanted rhetoric of the political talking head or glitzy Facebook Post unveiled in our FB account. The latter is what Trump is hoping will occur. In his mind, the more than 200 million eligible voters in the US are there to support HIS goals and objectives; and he will manipulate those people in whatever manner required to achieve his desired outcome. We must come together as a nation and stem this blight before in consumes us all.
If there’s anyone among you that still doesn’t grasp the strength and capabilities of an Autocratic governing force, compared to a Democracy, given the blatant and current comparison, as outlined, then you are totally asleep and need to wake up.
Although one could compare Putin to Hitler – and there are valid points of comparison, there is no real evidence that, as of today, Putin has any real Global ambitions - that is not to say that he would not accept if handed to him. However, his objective is to re-contain the former Soviet Union countries under Russia; That is first and foremost. Secondarily, he wants the new Russia, with its now broadened Sphere of Influence, to be recognized on the world stage as the new trend setter for the globe. So, let’s take a look – there are five (5) major players on the world stage – the UK, USA, Germany, China and Russia. Of those five countries, two are run by autocrats; clearly, they both have governing bodies, but the decision-making rests with the person at the top – Putin in Russia; Xi Jinping in China – the same is true for North Korea, but they get lost in the rounding, for now - that could change. The remaining three countries function in some form of a Democracy, unique to the country; but all suffer from the internal fighting and political paralysis with which neither China nor Russia have to deal - Putin can make a decision in a month that would take the United States congress more than a year, with no guarantee that a decision would be forthcoming. In addition, the Middle East Countries - Iran, Iraq, Syria, et al, although not considered super powers are aligned with Russia and are happy to do Putin's bidding, to keep that sphere of the globe under Russia's influence.
Consequently, unless and until the USA, UK and other western democracies can get their act together, see and understand the big picture for what it truly is and what is at stake, we will ultimately see - a) fragmentation of NATO, over time as Trump continues to move the US in that direction; b) disintegration of the European Union, with Boris Johntson now at the helm of Britain and Angela Merkel's continued loss of control in Germany; c) Persia and Arab nations' bolster of Putin's sphere of influence goals in that region; d) strengthening of the partnership between Russia and China. All this culminating in a change in leadership of the new world order, as Russia takes its seat at the head of the table; and all before the end of the 21st century. We may not have another global conflict, aka WW lll; Putin currently flexes his nuclear muscles with veiled threats of preemptive strikes but Russia's still dealing with effects of Chernobyl and are not in a hurry to have to again contend with nuclear fallout. However, increasingly, there’s no longer a need to kill the enemy, just re-program his mind to “your” way of thinking. Think of the Manchurian Candidate on steroids. The Putin/Hitler comparison does, however, have one striking similarity - the rest of the world sat by in 1939, watched and did nothing until it was too late.
Consequently, unless and until the USA, UK and other western democracies can get their act together, see and understand the big picture for what it truly is and what is at stake, we will ultimately see - a) fragmentation of NATO, over time as Trump continues to move the US in that direction; b) disintegration of the European Union, with Boris Johntson now at the helm of Britain and Angela Merkel's continued loss of control in Germany; c) Persia and Arab nations' bolster of Putin's sphere of influence goals in that region; d) strengthening of the partnership between Russia and China. All this culminating in a change in leadership of the new world order, as Russia takes its seat at the head of the table; and all before the end of the 21st century. We may not have another global conflict, aka WW lll; Putin currently flexes his nuclear muscles with veiled threats of preemptive strikes but Russia's still dealing with effects of Chernobyl and are not in a hurry to have to again contend with nuclear fallout. However, increasingly, there’s no longer a need to kill the enemy, just re-program his mind to “your” way of thinking. Think of the Manchurian Candidate on steroids. The Putin/Hitler comparison does, however, have one striking similarity - the rest of the world sat by in 1939, watched and did nothing until it was too late.
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