Banana Republicans

It really is ridiculous. The divisive, ideological rage. Last week, I thought it was too much and potentially hazardous to everything democratic. That’s why I posted it’s Not Worth Another Civil War. But now? It has just become ridiculous.

Not only is there too much anger.  There are too many enemies of democracy posing as patriots in the bastion of democracy.  Posing as American patriots.  And while some enemies of democracy are hard-core Marxists getting their marching orders from China, Venezuela or North Korea.  While others are Islamists getting their marching orders from Iran, Saudi-Arabia or Hamas.  The enemies of democracy posing as the greatest patriots couldn’t follow marching orders if Sarah Palin drew them personal maps.

No disrespect whatsoever to Sarah Palin — whom I do admire.  But since sanity requires anyone to admire democracy most — it follows for everyone to hold enemies of democracy in greatest contempt.

Not only is there too much anger.  There is too much absurdity from the enemies of democracy thinking themselves patriots.  Here are only some examples how ridiculous they sound.

I’m totally ready for a Civil War. And I think that alot of other American Patriots are too.  And Obama can kiss my ass.  Cause we will take this Country back.

and,

Actually the attack the Progressives, led by obama, are engaging in, is going to start another Civil War, and yes protecting our Constitution against the progressives is worth another war.

and,

We no longer have any rights… or constitution… we are ruled now by an iron fisted fascist…

and,

I agree we should be constructive in our efforts to take our country back from the socialists that are destroying it! The construction should be prisons for the treason against the constitution they have committed! LOL!

and,

Then again, it may be easier just to leave the USA.

None of these examples are to suggest that struggle against what can be too far left Marxist ideological agenda from the Obama Administration is unwarranted.  Only that opposition and struggle must be lawful — fully acknowledging Barak H. Obama as the legitimately elected President of the U.S.  Because doing otherwise could do irretrievable damage to democracy itself.

Just as Iran’s Republic of Fear is best undermined by the voices of citizens rising for democracy — so the bastion of democracy in the U.S. can be worst undermined by seemingly patriotic voices clamoring against democracy, legitimacy and the rule of law.

When there is respect for democracy?  That’s when resistance becomes not just powerfully legitimate — but invaluable.  One self-identified member of the Tea Party movement commented thus:

Extremism in the cause of liberty is no vice, moderation in the face tyranny is no virtue, and I do believe that our Constitution is worth defending by what ever means necessary.

How principled.  Everyone raved.  But I was very suspicious.  How necessary can it be to violate democratic principles in order to defend the Constitution?  Is it too long — waiting the next elections without taking up arms?  And was this just another ideologue posturing as if ideally principled — only when legitimate democratic leadership failed to conform with his or her ideological striping?  Like, would this commenter have said or done the same to defend the Constitution from Richard Nixon or  George Bush?

That’s why I had to ask,

… Were you as extremely out to fight against Bush in the cause of liberty as you are to fight against Obama?

And the commenter replied:

I have been protesting the growth of government my entire adult life.  I was marching against the expansion of government and the erosion of our liberties during the Reagan administration.  Me and a handful of other pitiful protesters…  It is nice to see so many joining the fight, and better late than never, I just hope it isn’t too late.  This administration is moving faster and further towards the collectivist nightmare than any in my lifetime.

Wow.  If that’s how thoughtful and principled Tea Partiers are — just wow.

There were other commenters came across relatively thoughtful.  Sounding not necessarily absurd but principled and all out to defend the Constitution.  But not really.  They only sounded not absurd.  They gave themselves away as more mere ideologues.  Since even their Constitutional defense arguments were too obviously devised to dispense with democratic principles and the rules of law.  For instance:

… you name me one president ever who has NOT shown all his credentials? Or name me one president who has taken the oath of office and then set about to destroy the Constitution right before your very eyes? name me one! name me one president who has ever spent (wasted) as much money in office on NOTHING as this one has? Name me one!!  Name me one president who has bribed and coerced congress to pass a bill that 86% of the public DID NOT WANT!  Name me one president who has forced a bill through that NO ONE – not even the signers have read? Name me one! Name me one president ever who has sneaked into the bill his own standng army? NAME ME ONE!!! YOU THINK IT ISN’T THERE??? Read it – listen to it…  This is open tyranny – so now you tell me – what does this quote by Benjamin Franklin mean to you??? ” Rebellion against tyranny is obedience to God.”

Alright.  There was some good, important information.  Potentially justifying every lawful resistance.  But rebellion?  That’s why, by and by, I had to respond,

You have got me thinking twice more. But. The evidence is nowhere near conclusive. And now I’d like to tell you something.

Unless the Obama Administration does away with elections? There is no irreparable harm done. The U.S. will have become more socialist — but not in any way totalitarian. Liberty and freedom will remain safe as long as democratic elections continue. And the moment the people decide they’ve had too much socialism? They can elect to shut it down accordingly.

On the other hand. The ideological bitterness between left and right? If it gets to the point where people don’t acknowledge elected Presidents as legitimate — unless Presidents conform to people’s own ideologies? That’s the point no democracy can survive. That’s the point at which everything will turn totalitarian. Irretrievably.

And it went downhill from there.

One man does not ride rough shod over an entire country unless he is a dictator – and that is all that has been done since he took the oath of office…  In the words of Benjamin Franklin, Cupe Doll, “Rebellion against tyranny is obedience to God.” Guess who my master is!!!  It isn’t Obama!

What can I say?  Eventually anyone can run out of patience.  And while I had no clue whether this commenter was Republican? Just the likelihood was enough after all the patience I’d lost.

You.. are a Banana Republican. Because if enough people thought like you? There could be no democratic country. Only a banana republic.