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Liz LaSorte's avatar

Thomas Sowell said it best: “The fact that so many successful politicians are such shameless liars is not only a reflection on them, it is also a reflection on us. When the people want the impossible, only liars can satisfy.”

We the People are the Heirs of the American Experiment and We are Squandering Our American Inheritance!

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Art4arts_sake's avatar

The title alone had me laughing!

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LucyNeo's avatar

Had to save it not just for the great writing but THAT HEADLINE! LUUUVVVV

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Zork (the) Hun's avatar

I clicked on like for the title alone.

As for your points, here is one more for your consideration:

the individualist sees safety in the freedom to act, the freedom from restraint; while the collectivist considers that a threat and sees safety in freedom from responsibility, in dissolving itself in the collective. The left sees safety in sharing risk and see anybody different as a threat, because they diminish the size of the pool in which risk is shared.

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arrotsevni's avatar

One of the often observed but understated basis for tyranny is the fear of change i.e., desire to keep one's status quo safe from changes one cannot control. Sociopathic behavior is based on fear of lack of control over one's situation. The calls for returning to the 'good old days' or believing that returning to the standards of living 200yr or even primitive living standards is somehow 'pastoral' easing going living is like returning to their childhood where they did not have the demands of adulthood. The world is ever evolving and those who cannot connect with others and feel part of the flow are in constant fear of being exposed as no longer relevant and being left behind. This is a strong element behind desiring control by the wealthy who gathered wealth during a period they thought they knew and now feel out of touch with the advances threatening to diminish wealth as older themes are made less important through innovation they do not understand. This is a problem independent of politics. It is centered on the wealthy who have isolated themselves by claiming themselves "Elite".

Anything goes to remain relevant, to keep themselves on top. These are scared individuals grasping to stay on top and not drown in a system moving relentlessly forward. The rest of us do not have that issue because we never achieved being recognized as elite by other elitists which was their lifetime goal. Now, once they have achieved this questionable 'status', they are scared to death they will lose it. Jesse Livermore's life as a social climber ending with suicide is classic tale of this personality.

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Dan B's avatar

Great article Lily, and awesome Title!

Now, how can we get anyone into the White House that hasn’t been tainted, bought off, framed, or threatened unless they do exactly what the Elites want? Can it actually be accomplished, or is it too late?

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Teddy21btc's avatar

Quite possibly, Lily’s best piece.

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Sunface Jack's avatar

Pity about the TDS. At least he didn't start any wars. He made some mistakes sure but nothing like those before and after him. He also didn't behave like slick Willie either.

BTW, the 'the self-proclaimed “drainer of the Washington Swamp,”' was subjected to continuous impeachments for the duration of his service. Remember he endured “Russia-Russia-

Russia" for three years and “it was all bullshit.”

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Patrick Hopkinson's avatar

Great piece - thanks! I would love to read a deep dive into Obama’s presidency. Drone Bombings and secrecy etc…

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IGW's avatar

"A Brief, Straightforward Guide for Those Who Still Refuse to Understand That Both Political Sides are Complicit in the Greatest Crime in Contemporary Human History"

Articulately, accurately stated.

No less than a brilliant summation of our present predicament.

So where to from here?

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