Toward Totalitarianism by James E Keenan
This appeared today in the Frederick News Post. I have three questions about it.
The original is here: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/toward-totalitarianism/article_284c1de7-64d5-5a04-90b3-e1bea4b4e725.html?mode=jqm
Recently, there has been controversy about control of certain elements of the nation’s press and news media. While the president’s plan to place government monitors in newsrooms is temporarily on hold, it must be revived at some future time. The administration needs to act to prevent divisiveness and bias by controlling the information that is given to the American people.
There are some on the far right who will continue their prattle about freedom of the press or freedom of speech or freedom of religion. But even a cursory reading of our outdated Constitution shows that the so-called Bill of Rights restricts only laws passed by Congress. It is obvious to all progressives that when Congress fails to enact legislation the president deems necessary, the president has the right and duty to impose his will by executive order and to severely punish those who fail to comply. And nothing in the Constitution or law restricts the president’s power to enact legislation. True, Article One says that “all legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress,” but that is an outmoded idea, paling in efficiency with the modern concept of a president who enjoys the total trust of his subjects and can simply order into law whatever measures he believes necessary for their welfare.
The news media must be required to obey the president’s orders as to what they may disseminate. And our people must recognize that they cannot make speeches or practice religion if their ideas fail to conform to what the authorities consider proper and supportive. The same is true of the remainder of the Constitution; it is all subject to such changes and restrictions as the president may deem necessary.
I fail to see why there should be controversy over such reasonable and progressive concepts, but if there is, opponents must be immediately eliminated by the police and the military in the name of good order and the preservation of our freedom.
James E. Keenan
Middletown
Question One: I think this is a satire, written and meant to be read tongue-in-cheek. Am I right?
Question Two: Did you have to think about it? I mean, was there a moment where you were not sure whether this was a satire?
Question Three: what does it say about Mr Obama’s administration, about the degree of corruption afflicting the minds of the Left, about the state of the culture, and about the loss of America that Question Two, now-a-days, is a serious question?
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
