Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by “a network of small complicated rules” might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called ‘hard despotism’) in the sense that it is not obvious to the people. Soft despotism gives people the illusion that they are in control, when in fact they have very little influence over their government. Soft despotism breeds fear, uncertainty, and doubt in the general populace. Alexis de Tocqueville observed that this trend was avoided in America only by the “habits of the heart” of its 19th-century populace.
This certainly describes America today, we are falsely under an illusion and belief that we are in control of the country. Yet we see the country heading in the exact opposite direction we want. Every attempt to re-direct or correct the wrong policies, laws, taxes are thwarted by what we loosely call the Democratic Administration and Congress. In reality, Democrats would not give us the Economy, lack of control, taxes, policies, bills, deficit spending that we are experiencing.
Yes, the Democratic Congress has voted for the foregoing, under the leadership of Congressional Progressives. These Progressives are so dangerous because they have and are infiltrating both parties. Many do not agree, but with party loyalty, they are on board and vote with the Progressives in Congress and the Administration. There will come a point, when this dismantling of America will become irreversible. I will quote from Glen Beck’s Show (2-3-10) Marxism is accomplished by Revolution; Progressivism is accomplished by Evolution. In other words Marxism, Socialism, Communism are done quickly, overtly, dictatorially and usually without too much opposition. While we see Progressivism is accomplished by clandestine methods, quietly, unsuspectingly (in other words by baby steps), without perception. Progressivism is willing to go forward until discovered (caught). They are willing to hold back until another opportunity arises. This is what makes the Progressives so dangerous and persistent foes.
Don’t be disarmed simply by their current name. They have and are constantly changing their name, they are certainly AKA, Progressives, Liberals, Populous, they have gone (and been known) by all these names during the past 110 years. The danger is not in the name, it is in the statist ideology, that the rights, power, privileges, purpose and existence of the people comes from State not from the Constitution or Declaration of Independence: ”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” This quote from the 1776 Declaration of Independence is where we derive our rights and privileges as a people and a nation, not from People, the President, Politicians or the “State”.
The more I study and learn of our inheritance, our founding, our history as a nation, our contributions to the world, I become more saddened by the direction we are taking. Please follow what is going on in and to America, that we remain salt and light in this darkened world.
