The Kingmaker Generation: if there isn’t a Jesus soon, the masses will create one

These are some not fully developed ruminations on where I believe the United States is heading politically:

Will this leader be a fascist? I’m not quite sure that the intensive state-aspect of 20^th century European fascism will be accepted by the fascistic followers in the American context; there will certainly be a populist dynamic between the leader and his followers, but I can’t say that the leader will be able to augment state power without losing the support of the people. The American tradition of distrusting the government, the federal in particular, might be one of the redeeming factors as the stage is set for an American fascism. Is this tradition flow in the blood of the younger generations, though?

There is also to factor in the military’s reaction: I can’t say I know, or care to know, the minds of the generals who are so used to being involved in foreign affairs, what their reaction would be to such a populist, right wing tainted movement. I don’t know that they would “play ball,” and there might be a “month of 15 emperors”, a series of coups on top of one another greatly confusing things, where any masters of chaos will spin and speculate the situation to their advantage.

All these theatrics will be contingent upon the whims of the Chinese underwriters who will not be painting the picture of American life, but will be constructing the picture frame and choosing the colors that can be used and not used.

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Aking to follow – Part One

It is a long enduring zeitgeist to be lost, bereft of direction. You don’t have to look too far to see that there are many people—perhaps even an entire generation—that has been set up psychologically and economically to be a listless mass. There is a yearning for a leader, to give these people the perception that their lives will have some value in the ranks of one who they would follow unto death. The king that I speak of could not get the devotion by wearing a business suit, and would not have followers that would robe themselves that ways either.

If one of the beloved actors or actresses from Game of Thrones were to reprise their roles outside of the show’s filming, and declare that they were a king and would lead any that were willing, you would have thousands showing up at their villas ready to do their bidding. If Armin were to declare himself a god on earth, millions of en-tranced followers would pledge their allegiance.

Is it part of the human condition or are we conditioned humans, to desire to be followers and let our ego be washed away to become a tributary to someone else’s wave?

Cops: Our Knights In Shining SUVs

Police are already positioned to make a relatively smooth transition into a role as “knights” in a post-globalized, disintegrated United States. Their vocation has afforded them a high visibility and a societal normalization that few occupations can match—their existence has become irrefutable and self-evident. There are parodies and hatreds at the margins, but in “times of seriousness” there is a common public consciousness (and servility) that their presence is above questioning and deserving of honor. One thousand overweight D.A.R.E. officers would be invited to speak to an assembly of youth before a single anti-corporate revolutionary would. They have an active and deep rooted fraternal structure evidenced by the PBA pay-to-play scheme. How can anyone be against cops when you are in a friendly relationship by two degrees of separation or less with one? (I can name three cops that friends of mine have as friends). If the government were to make an honest attempt to downsize ahead of the financial calamites headed our way, police will be the last and fewest to be trimmed. Their pervasiveness is astounding, at roughly 800,000 strong, more visible for sure in the densely populated states (spiders hiding behind trees, ready to pounce on speeding cars). And of course, there are a few “bad apple” cops out there, but they were rotten individuals, their badness never stemming from their profession.

                It’s these common notions that exist at the ground level—not in need of reiteration or reporting—that will persist, regardless of which large systems implode and erase abstract authority and control. In addition to their presumed powers that come with the badge, their individual and institutional skills at controlling areas tactically and through the blunt threat of force give them a situational advantage. Many police officers will already be well aware of their power in the dynamic situations confronting our society in limbo, while others will catch on later and realize their prominent role in guiding affairs as people look to them for answers and protection.

As the crisis starts surfacing, on an institutional level the police force will be an active presence before their necessity can be brought into question. As the crisis drifts towards an unstable feudalism, they will remind us, perhaps through curfews or bulletins, that there are marauding gangs and opportunistic raiding and looting parties out there. Their power will attract to them sycophantic opportunists (and family ties) which will further solidify their roles at the top. “Knowing” a cop will carry a lot of weight, positively for that person and negatively for any enemies. All the while we who would rather not be ruled over by the police-turned-lords won’t be given the chance to assert, or the opportunity to discover, that we also have powers of defense and deterrence and don’t really need this parasitic group that will drag on us in an already dire scenario. They will insist that we need to support them, and they will keep us safe, and for their more honorable contribution they expect the utmost praise and privileges. In short—the beginnings of a modern feudal relationship. Police, like the nobles of the middle ages, will insist that they should not be taxed or forced to labor their share, as they are already providing a public good in the form of protection. Those who join with them will provide under-scaffolding, propelling them beyond mere knights to barons.

A few generations in, all memory of this life we are now living will be lost. The former rights and horizontal relationships will be gone, and its on to serfdom for those outside the cop circles. Unless… we begin our vigilance and assertiveness, break free from dependence… and we begin now!