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April 18, 2009
Most Flea-readers already know this
The rest should listen carefully. Ace on the Obama administration's attempt to cast its political opponents as violent extremists:
It's not fascism, but it does demonstrate a callow disregard for civility, fair play, and democracy.
Yes, democracy. Because at the heart of democracy is the idea that the state will not come after you simply because of your politics. Without this idea, there is no democracy; there is civil war. A people needs to be able to trust its government not to punish them for merely disagreeing in order for all to buy into democracy. No one is going to support a system which slits their own throats in an orderly, peaceful fashion.
Yes, democracy. Because at the heart of democracy is the idea that the state will not come after you simply because of your politics. Without this idea, there is no democracy; there is civil war. A people needs to be able to trust its government not to punish them for merely disagreeing in order for all to buy into democracy. No one is going to support a system which slits their own throats in an orderly, peaceful fashion.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at April 18, 2009 06:17 AM
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