COMPLACENCY: "potting soil" for dictatorship

 The undermining of democratic government  by corrupt politicians is only part of the story.  Our descent from democratic values and ideals to the fiery depths of the hell-bent Far Right REPUBLICAN extremists under Trump is being supported by ordinary citizens who:        

•          refuse to listen to history or are unable to do so;
•       have abandoned critical thinking in favor of propaganda;  
•       are convinced that their well-being and destiny are tied to one strong leader not to a gaggle of representatives, senators, and justices/judges who have no regard for them but work only for themselves;  
•            are trapped inside a framework of fabricated theories, manufactured issues, and destructive myths. 

We are left with a voting bloc who want their lives to matter, their views to prevail, their enemies to be vanquished, and their revenge to be sweet.  In essence, if they can’t cheat their way to victory or vote their way to supremacy, they will use violence to take control of the levers of power and to install their leader Trump as the Fuhrer who will bestow the blessings of ultimate control and the spoils of absolute power upon them.  They can then order every aspect of living to suit their desires and wishes rather than those of socialist and communist origin. 

1.      White people of European or American origin will bring their assumed superiority to the front of the line from which they will manage all the functioning of society (such as law-making and enforcement, education of the young, the capitalistic economy and personal finance that benefit the privileged (meaning them), and their everyday concerns like sports, entertainment, television programs and the internet.  All others will be treated as second-class citizens with limits placed on them in every aspect of life that impinges upon their superiors.

2.      Their Leader will make all major decisions in their best interests and will be hero-worshipped as the Savior of Anglo-Saxons and Aryans who are meant to rule the world. 

3.      An internal police force, subject to the will of the dictator, will keep law and order by detaining and incarcerating those who disturb or threaten the order of the new society.  Judges will be necessary only to carry-out the will of the Leader and his loyal followers, but juries will not be needed. Certain groups—Jews, gays, people of color, immigrants, the politically disloyal, the physically and mentally defective or disabled (and possibly: single women)—will come under special proactive scrutiny and control.

4.      All actions of “government” will be accompanied by a propaganda machine the aim of which will be to feed the biases and prejudices of supremacists and their lackeys.  The beliefs of the regime and its Leader will be glorified, and their ‘leadership” will be praised in terms that are unimaginable.

5.      Bribery, cheating and influence-peddling will be rampant throughout society as the favors of the Regime are sought, either to enhance one’s status and/or to ward off any obstacles that might arise.      

6.      All vestiges of equality will be removed, and the inequalities of a caste system will prevail.  Freedoms will all depend on the Leader’s wishes: religion will be what he says it is, wages will be set by his decree (there will be no more labor-organized unions); healthcare will be ordered first for the elite and then will be parceled-out and applied where necessary to maintain a loyal following and a healthy leadership.

7.      Political dissenters and organizers will be known as the ‘enemy of the people’ and will be limited by severe measures of repression and suppression.  This will, of course,  extend to any media that dare to speak out against the Regime and its Leader.

8.      All vestiges of socialism will be curtailed or removed: veterans will no longer have their own health or benefit system; nonprofit organizations founded on principles of giving something for nothing in return will become for-profit groups whose charters will include mandated  contributions to the Regime.

9.      Functions of government – like prisons, schools, some military functions, and first responders –will be privatized to earn profits for the Regime.

10.   Voting will be restricted and manipulated, so that ‘elections’ will always show overwhelming support for the Leader and his commissars

The trouble with this recitation is that it reveals only the tip of the iceberg; there is much more hidden underneath, like the treatment of women, physical punishment of children, recruitment of youth to fascist ideas and practices; the denigration of other people and nations, a lingering sense of being spied upon by police and others, and neglect of our environmental crisis.

The very people who support Donald Trump as their Leader are the ones who cannot believe that any of these restrictive events could happen.  And they will not believe it, even though the evidence is already showing itself.  The devotees will not believe it even as it is happening for that is how immersed they are in a world of fantasy and conspiracy theory where planned attacks on reality and truth have left nothing but their hollowed-out heads.  All critical thinking and scientific method have either fled the scene or propaganda has captured and re-directed their brain functions.

It is this phalanx of militant Trump believers that stormed our Capitol, unaware that threatening elected leaders of the people with death or destruction is not the stuff of which democracies are made.  The insurrection of January 6, 2021, was not a patriotic protest because it did nothing to  advance or enhance unity, equality, freedom, justice or pursuit of happiness. It sought the over-turning of an officially certified election  of a new President and Vice President.  That is known simply as insurrection or over-throw: the opposite of seeking or celebrating a greater unity.  That is de-construction, not constructive in any sense, unless you believe that one man has all the answers to all your problems and needs. 

And therein lies the problem.  Look around at history and current events.  Similar beliefs and violent actions have often been the forerunners of dictatorial regimes, such as in Russia, Germany and Italy.  Countries on our doorstep have also been overtaken by violence and propaganda such as Cuba in the 1950s; and several other countries like Venezuela, Chili, Argentina in the 20^th century.  Or look further at Zimbabwe, Haiti, Turkey, N. Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines.  How about Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Saudi Arabia?  Dictatorial regimes can grow in any soil, and with similar origins and results.  There is a pattern to them all and that pattern is not based solely on leftist ideologies of socialism or communism, as the Far-Right crowd would have you believe. Unfortunately, that pattern of violent overthrow of legitimate governments finds its roots and fertilizer in the ignorance, complacency and lack of resistance of the citizenry coupled with the violent aggressiveness and ambitions of power-hungry provocateurs.  The reality of that complacency comes through to us in the haunting words of one who experienced it; the words of Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemoller, that we should take with utmost seriousness and resolve:

Is It Too Late for the People to Strike Back?

We are going down a familiar path that has been tread in other times and other places. Trouble is – many of the current pathfinders have no idea where it leads. Enough of them do not care exactly where it leads if they can say they are benefitting from the journey. They trust the Leader of the PAC to get them to a promised land at the end of the journey. Thus, no matter what that Leader says or does, they give him their loyalty, their fealty, and their very souls because they believe fervently that his promises and desires are theirs as well. Without him, there is no pathway for their hopes.

He is their common source of hope for a future that puts them in charge, which affirms their lives, but that has no place for people who are foreign beings to them, like immigrants, non-whites, gay people, the vulnerable and disabled, Jews, Muslims, and politicians who ignore them or fail to take them seriously. They know – in their heart-of-hearts – that Donald Trump’s destiny is theirs as well.    

January 6, 2021  -- is their defining moment when their Leader summoned them to perform an action that would supposedly undo a certified election and restore their Leader to his so-called ‘rightful place’ as the sole enlightened Head of an America made Great Again: militarily stronger than ever; freed from socialism, Nancy Pelosi and other Dems, from Mike Pence the traitor, and from the restrictions of non-violent protest.   They responded by the thousands and overran our Capitol, seeking not only to destroy symbols of a Socialist agenda, but to do violence – to kill -- those who represented their foes.

That date marks the one time in American history where a defeated incumbent president fomented an armed insurrection against his legitimately elected challenger. It also marked the first time in American history that citizens came to Washington DC to physically attack their nation’s Capitol building and its elected congressional occupants. But it was not the first time in recorded history that white supremacists, Nazis and Fascists had attacked a legitimate government.

Unfortunately,  the lessons of history have been lost or ignored by a large enough portion of Trump supporters and fascist sympathizers to threaten the continuation of our experiment in representative democracy that has been the hallmark of this relatively young and vigorous nation. Instead, we are on a path to a fascist dictatorship that will bring an end to our constitutional democracy.

And what are those lessons of history that teach us to be wary and to resist with all possible might the denizens of fascist ideology?

Let us limit this particular inquiry to one dictator who represents parallels that must not be ignored, contained in an article from 2017 by  Mark Bickhard, Henry R. Luce Professor in Cognitive Robotics and the Philosophy of Knowledge in the Department of Psychology at Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA).  Bickhard introduces parallels between Trump and Benito Mussolini with this statement:

“Comparisons between Trump(ism) and Fascism have become frequent, and with good reason. These comparisons are strongest between Trump and Mussolini — stronger than with Hitler and Nazi-ism. Detailed comparisons are difficult for at least two reasons: 1) the historical circumstances are quite different and 2) Fascism was never a coherent political theory or philosophy, but, instead, was a populist and nationalist development in Italy that Mussolini did not create but did take over."  Bickhard goes on to say:

               “A comparison between Trump and Mussolini in terms of character and style…is frighteningly strong — and does give some guidance concerning future concerns. This comparison is based primarily on quotes from a book about Mussolini by R.J.B. Bosworth (2010), written without comparisons to Trump in mind.

Bickhard begins with a commonality of arrogant ignorance and incoherence:

“…critical contemporaries noticed the fluctuations in Mussolini’s ideas and the way he preferred to avoid in-depth conversations, sometimes excusing himself by saying that the details should be left to the experts. Here, they discerned, was a leader more interested in imposing his will than in harmonizing his attitudes or policies. Here was a politician more interested in seeming to know than in knowing.” pg. 142

“He understood that a totalitarian dictator had to be, or to seem to be, expert in everything.” pg. 177

“Cowing the press was only one part of building a totalitarian dictatorship.” pg. 177

“The real novelty of his ambition lay in his pretensions to enter the hearts and minds of his subjects, and so install Fascism as a political religion.” pg. 177

“ ‘Reactionary dictators are men of no philosophy, no burning humanitarian ideal, nor even an economic program of any value to their nation or the world. [George Seldes]’ They were ‘gangsters’ more than anything else.” pg. 246

One striking detailed similarity: Mussolini appointed his son-in-law as foreign minister. e.g., pg. 254

Mussolini was infamous for his ultra-thin skin:

“… he would flick through the French press and grow enraged at any criticism of Italy and himself.” pg. 272

“… there were few things which annoyed Mussolini more than overt criticism.” pg. 276. “This emotion [anger] had always been a prominent part of the Duce’s reaction to life .…” pg. 280

Trump and Mussolini share thin-skinned ignorance combined with arrogant contempt:

“The Duce’s version of permanent revolution, it was increasingly plain, was more a story of his own permanent sense that the rest of humankind was not made in his own image (an arrogance which only partially cloaked his own sense of inadequacy …).” pg. 282

“In his diary, Bottai depicted…a ‘man of the banner headline’ at heart…bored by detail or discussion and preferring to ‘let things run of their own accord’.” pg. 302

“… the Duce’s reaction… was, ‘if things go well, take the credit; and, if they go badly… blame others. This…had become the real meaning of the formula: ‘Mussolini is always right.’ ” pg. 303

The following speaks for itself, and speaks volumes:

From A.J.P. Taylor, quoted in Bosworth: “Everything about Fascism was a fraud. The social peril from which it saved Italy was a fraud; the revolution by which it seized power was a fraud; the ability and policy of Mussolini were fraudulent. Fascist rule was corrupt, incompetent, empty; Mussolini himself a vain, blundering boaster without either ideas or aims.” pg. 344

Here from a different book, Mussolini and Italian Fascism (2008), by Giuseppe Finaldi:

“…as it developed in 1920-2, the ingredient that was (almost) unique to Fascism and which gave it an edge over traditional patriotic parties was its willingness to employ violence for political ends. Its ability to give a semblance of political coherence and a plausible set of symbolic reference points to what was essentially reactionary vigilantism allowed the process of law and the functioning of democracy … to be sidestepped with panache.” (pg. 37)

“Just as Mussolini took over the Fascist movement, Trump is exploiting and taking over the ultra-nationalism/alt-right movements. These are the power bases for two dictatorial personalities.”

“Violence is central to the history of all of these movements, and both Hitler and Mussolini came to their dictatorial powers via a relatively singular act of violence: the Reichstag fire for Hitler and the Fascist march on Rome for Mussolini.”  Can we also say that the January 6^th insurrection is such an event for Trump? Yes, but we must be clear that the January 6^th insurrection was also the initiator of domestic  terrorist violence being planned for near future overthrow of the Biden administration.

“We have already seen major attacks by Trump on the judiciary, the press, and moves to undermine and take over the institutions of public safety. The seditious partisanship of the Republicans in Congress ensures that the legislative branch will not be a check — unless that blind support is somehow itself horribly dangerous historical background. Trump may (or may not) be too ignorant to know of that background, but his inner circle most certainly knows of it, and intends it in full. And, of course, all of this is in addition to the subversion of American democracy and of the Trump administration by Putin’s Russia.”

Because I have already commented several times (see 11/20 & 23/2016; 7/9/2017; 1/13/2019; 2/29/2020; and 2/20/2019 for an early prediction of Trump coup attempt) on the similar pattern behind such fascist-like movements, I will not attempt to name further parallels other than those with Mussolini. The warning signs along the path to destruction of our democracy by followers of a self-anointed Leader like Trump should be crystal clear.  (I have warned readers regarding Donald Trump, and even opined  that “the Donald” was well on his way to illustrating fascist  characteristics even before he was sworn in as president -- “Fourteen Reasons to be Anti-Trump” – parts I and II – 11/21 & 11/23/2016).  Yet, it has taken an inordinate amount of time for leaders, officials and commentators to call Trump exactly what he is: a fascist dictator-type intent on taking over the absolute powers of despotic governing through violent means if necessary.

One man’s belief in his own infallibility means all his followers are by definition, plain dupes.

One man’s total arrogance leaves no room for others’ opinions, feelings, circumstances or welfare

One man’s inability to be wrong means someone must take the blame for his screw-ups; sometimes who ever happens to be nearest the center of power or those with certain characteristics such as dark skin or an Eastern religion

 One who believes he has all the answers to every question, issue or problem has no regard for facts or science, the arts or the humanities, or for laws; and those who labor in those fields must produce praise not criticism for the Leader or they become his enemies

One who believes himself to be the center of the universe has no concept of family – whether biological, community, state or nation as family-like, except as a proving ground for the strict father who rules all things and trains children (and Citizens) to be obedient, responsible, superior, and prosperous.

Those who continue to coddle and support Donald Trump in his ascendancy toward dictatorship deserve everything that comes their way, and it will just as it already has:

--millions of unnecessary deaths from COVID 19 because of incompetent administration of Trump-run government and arrogance toward science and scientists

--erosion of rights like the attack on voters, on freedom of the press,  freedom of religion and right to address grievances with government not only by protests across the country being put down by police and national guard, but by the almost total obliteration of consumer advocacy boards

--health care for millions threatened by lack of competent research, analysis, and policy proposals that would enhance healthcare, but rather by overt and covert opposition in Court and executive management to a system (ACA) already in place and working.

--Planned intentional abuse of children at southern border, and by budget cuts and destructive policies toward public education and special needs of children

--policies implemented to punish democrats and independent progressives  will eventually work against the Far Right, like tax cuts that fade out by 2025, or private school vouchers, or lack of foreign workers who took on jobs most Americans were not doing, or privatization of schools, prisons, and other government operations.

--the attempted punishment of one group that ends up hurting the Trump base, like sending criminal elements to sanctuary cities where Trump supporters also live

--ending voting as we know it, by placing restrictive measures on groups that tend to vote democratic will eventually lead to removal of that inconvenient process for all, including Trumpers, as the wannabe dictator decides it is time to seize absolute control.

And that’s not all, because Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have already been mentioned as targets; as have those who administer or who undergo abortions; those who seek gun controls; those who support gay marriages; those who do not support Trump foreign policy.

Violence is endemic to fascism and will become chaotic and warlike; criticism is anathema and will bring repercussions; disloyalty will be found in ways unimaginable right now; incarceration will explode as new enemies are defined and tracked down; and the old beliefs will come under criticism as though they are harmful – like teaching certain subjects or saying certain words, or working for oneself and family without due homage in the form of payments and bribes… 

We are on a path to destruction that should have been learned from history but evidently has not as cultist worship of the new Il Duce, the rejuvenated Hitler, the envier of dictators has not waned among his dupes. Like the German people of the 1920s and 30s, they have been bamboozled by horrendous falsehoods;, false assumptions, false promises and false hopes. They have been led to a false conclusion that lies are truth and that taking power is the goal for which we should strive. There is no mention of public service, family values, equal rights or justice. There’s only talk of a strong Leader (FUHRER) who will lead us to a promised land.

The wanderers down this path have no understanding of the fraud, the criminality, and the brainwashing they have supported and will have to endure for they have chosen to ignore the teachings of history. Arrogance, self-worship, absolute power, segregation of groups, and criminality are not the builders of family, community, democratic government or of paradise.

Read the signs – they are trying to warn us of what is to come!

What is most troubling is that Republicans have worked for many years to close certain doors to prevent effective counteractions against this takeover of democracy. Those doors are fast closing and will be finally locked in 2022 and 2024, as the radical Republicans take full advantage of the operations in which they have engaged, ever since Barry Goldwater became their presidential candidate in 1964. They have:

--undermined the political power of labor

--placed restrictions on groups that usually vote for Democrats, thus reducing the total popular vote providing better chances for gaining blocs of state Electoral College votes

--formed groups and organizations aimed at the spread of common talking points that are  pure propaganda

--brought together wealthy and powerful sponsors in regular meetings to strategize on winning votes and supporting candidates

--packed the Supreme Court and lower courts with Trump sympathizers

--emphasized the winning of state houses, state legislatures and the packing of the courts along with local community offices of all kinds

--perhaps most importantly, they captured the process of drawing congressional districts every ten years according to census numbers, which in 2020 they truncated by having control in the states and districts which enabled them to control re-districting commissions and census processes

 Without going into all the closed-door scenarios, let me be perfectly frank with you. Republicans have boxed us in. There are very few open doors through which Democrats can walk to assure majorities in House and Senate. The Supreme Court’s far right majority have shredded the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Republican majorities in states are rapidly changing election laws in favor of themselves, and legal doors are barely ajar to pressure for legal actions that might stay or stop the Republican juggernaut. The tendency of Democrats is to use what is available like big legislative initiatives, sanctions against lying dishonest lawyers and class action suits on behalf of disenfranchised voters in certain friendly areas. And then there is always the direct-action method of non-violent protests, and the winning of elections by more phoning, more flyers, more house-calls and more TV ads.

 

HOWEVER, none of these traditional methods may work without massive efforts to out-perform anything ever done along these lines. And that is probably not going to happen in 2022 during a non-presidential election. We are left with challenges that may be daunting -- the challenges of innovation and creativity. What can Democrats and Progressive creatively and effectively do to win the House and Senate majorities?

--keep going to court to sanction Republican lawyers and to object to unfair and untenable district gerrymandering?

--continue ”field hearings” by congressional committees?

--train our own poll watchers?

--run great candidates for local and state offices?

--practice targeted vote-getting in every race?

--go into the streets to recruit new voters from targeted groups?

--convince more corporations to withdraw federal support for people and entities that support voting restrictions and/or despotic actions?

--know how many votes are usually needed to win a local or state office and target the pledging of that many votes (plus a 5% margin)?

--go after the youth vote in high schools and colleges; as well as in youth ‘hangouts’ for every office at every level?

--find pockets of unregistered or inactive voters and target them for registration voting?

--get local non-profit agencies involved in registering voters?

--do something unexpected like taking local redistricting commissions to court for unfair practices; or, giving away free ice cream to children who show up at an ice cream truck with a parent who doesn’t vote ? (it’s not a quid pro quo or incentive since the recipient of the free ice cream is not a voter)

--use places as registration venues that most likely have a clientele that rarely votes?

--support federal actions to investigate Republican efforts to overturn election results (as in Arizona), to pass election reform measures, to render the Electoral College useless, to undo the Senate filibuster and to find ways to use  (or not to provide) federal money to penalize anti-democracy forces, and support the removal of GOP co-conspirator, Joe Manchin, from all Senate committee assignments along with reducing his staff/office budget?

 Remember, this is not a normal time for soliciting votes or doing campaigning – it demands new strategies to defeat the anti-democracy fanatics and to demand accountability for their illegal acts and for the promulgation of harmful false information. Planning for the elections of 2022 must happen now because there is no greater issue than the maintenance of our democratic system. The violent domestic terrorists of the Far Right are intent on seizing power, and they will be enabled to do so if they are met by inaction and complacency from democrats, progressives and independents.

 ADD ONs:

After finishing this post, other thoughts came forth of actions that are already happening or planned in relation to voting restrictions and other matters.  Maybe a broader application is needed, for example:

--how about emulation of Texas Democrats bringing concerns to D.C.; are there other government and non-government groups who can do the same?

 --are there other states where recall elections are allowed?  how about recalling state senators and governors who pass laws that deprive people of their rights?

--how about getting issues on the ballots in all states in 2022 that hold state leaders accountable for their actions, or that place voting restrictions on those who support or pass restriction on others?  can we require hard-to-get voter IDs for state leaders or militia members or gun dealers, owners, etc.?

--send teams from blue States (under contract of some kind if possible) to fake-audit states to audit the fake auditors? 

In other words, every state that restricts voters has automatically become a national  responsibility/burden and must be held accountable for actions that impinge on the rights of the People                                                                                           

SCOTUS Strikes Out!

 Wait a minute – the attack upon voting rights is not as simple as the SCOTUS wants to make it.  The recent Supreme Court decision upholding Arizona provisions of law (see Alito’s rendering if them immediately below) that place limits or restrictions on voters to “protect against fraud” in elections, is not  just anti-democratic.   It is not solely a question of voter suppression although that will be its immediate effect.

No, its seriousness goes much deeper.  Let’s explore a few of the clues contained within Justice Alito’s brief for the Court majority. It goes to the heart of FAMILY and COMMUNITY VALUES.  Conservative Justice Alito outlined the AZ law's provisions as follows:

“First, Arizonans who vote in person on election day in a county that uses the precinct system must vote in the precinct to which they are assigned based on their address. See §16–122; see also §16–135. If a voter votes in the wrong precinct, the vote is not counted”

“Second, for Arizonans who vote early by mail, Arizona House Bill 2023 (HB 2023) makes it a crime for any person other than a postal worker, an elections official, or a voter’s caregiver, family member, or household member to knowingly collect an early ballot— either before or after it has been completed. §§16–1005(H)–(I)“), the phrase “in that” is “used to specify the respect in which a statement is true.” New Oxford American Dictionary 851.  Alito then propounds the following:

 “…equal openness and equal opportunity are not separate requirements. Instead, it appears that the core of §2(b) is the requirement that voting be “equally open.” The statute’s reference to equal “opportunity” may stretch that concept to some degree to include consideration of a person’s ability to use the means that are equally open. But equal openness remains the touchstone. Pp. 14–15. (3) Another important feature of §2(b) is its “totality of circumstances” requirement. Any circumstance that has a logical bearing on whether voting is “equally open” and affords equal “opportunity” may be considered. Pp. 15–21”

“The mere fact that there is some disparity in impact does not necessarily mean that a system is not equally open or that it does not give everyone an equal opportunity to vote. And small disparities should not be artificially magnified.”

“Section 2 of the VRA provides vital protection against discriminatory voting rules, and no one suggests that discrimination in voting has been extirpated or that the threat has been eliminated. Even so, §2 does not transfer the States’ authority to set non-discriminatory voting rules to the federal courts. Pp. 21–25. (c) Neither Arizona’s out-of-precinct policy nor its ballot-collection law violates §2 of the VRA. Pp. 25–34

“(1) Having to identify one’s polling place and then travel there to vote does not exceed the “usual burdens of voting.”

s. Considering the modest burdens allegedly imposed by Arizona’s out-of-precinct policy, the small size of its disparate impact, and the State’s justifications, the rule does not violate §2.

“(2) Arizona’s HB 2023 also passes muster under §2. Arizonans can submit early ballots by going to a mailbox, a post office, an early ballot drop box, or an authorized election official’s office. These options entail the “usual burdens of voting,” and assistance from a statutorily authorized proxy is also available. The State also makes special provision for certain. See §16–549(C). And here, the plaintiffs were unable to show the extent to which HB 2023 disproportionately burdens minority voters.

Even if the plaintiffs were able to demonstrate a disparate burden caused by HB 2023, the State’s “compelling interest in preserving the integrity of its election procedures” would suffice to avoid §2 liability. “

“a State may take action to prevent election fraud without waiting for it to occur within its own borders. Pp. 30–34. (d) HB 2023 was not enacted with a discriminatory purpose, as the District Court found.”

“The court found HB 2023 to be the product of sincere legislative debate over the wisdom of early mail-in voting and the potential for fraud. And it took care to distinguish between racial motives and partisan motives.”

In response, let us look more carefully at the values this decision undermines.

1)     If you believe in protecting your family and your community, this decision says that small disparities should not be artificially magnified.”

In other words, when a family member or your community experiences a small setback in their lives because of government interference or mandate, you shouldn’t get upset.

Is that the way that strong fathers (or nurturing parents) conduct themselves, by ignoring small interferences with their family members’ prosperity? I doubt it. 

Yet here is the Supreme Court denying the importance of strong protection for voters who are members of families and communities. 

One strike against conservative value by a conservative Court.

2)     If you believe that interference of government with your self-interest and your ability to prosper (or your pursuit of fulfillment/happiness) is of primary importance, then this decision is not in your favor.  Look what it says:

      the State’s “compelling interest in preserving the integrity of its election procedures” would suffice to avoid §2 liability. “

“a State may take action to prevent election fraud without waiting for it to occur within its own borders.

 The Supreme Court is telling you that the State’s interest is paramount, not the voter’s interest.  Is that okay with you?  Doubtful -- if your ability for prosperity (or happiness) is thereby affected. 

Just think about it: this conservative Court is telling you that the State’s interest trumps your interest in running your own life, taking your own responsibility, and prospering by using your own capabilities to the maximum.  The Court says it’s okay for the State to control your march toward independence and fulfillment even if no good reason other than "equal openness" exists. 

Put another way, it means that the conservative Court has given the green light to search out fraud or illegal misdoing in your affairs even though there is no evidence to back-up that suspicion. 

Strike two against conservative principle by the conservative Court.

 3)      If you believe in overcoming the “burdens of life” and demonstrating strength, resolve and tenacity are your virtues then this decision is not in your favor.

Listen to what it says:

“Neither Arizona’s out-of-precinct policy nor its ballot-collection law violates §2 of the VRA”

“Having to identify one’s polling place and then travel there to vote does not exceed the “usual burdens of voting.”

Considering the modest burdens allegedly imposed…”

 The Court is telling you that “usual or modest burdens” imposed upon you by outside forces are okay even if they limit your ability to carry-out a demonstration of your right, your power, or your personal commitments and responsibilities.

 Is that what you are looking for: an imposition of regulations on your life and your work that impose just a “usual or modest” restriction or “burden?”  A burden you may find to be restricting your march toward prosperity.  Such a burden could also affect your salary, your perks, and your profits.

 Any small or usual burden imposed by the State can grow into a large obligation and become an interruption of one’s goals and intentions.

 This decision by the conservative Court opens up all kinds of possibilities for placing or ignoring regulations and laws that restrict one’s finances and business.

 Take, for example, the charging of property taxes in certain areas where property owned by black and white homeowners in contiguous areas are startlingly different for similar homes.  In some areas of Detroit, the difference is that black owners are assessed at 50% higher rates.  Given the Supreme Court’s basis of “a usual or small burden” to determine the validity of voter restriction, is it just a matter of time before those out-of-kilter property rates for black homeowners are rendered totally acceptable because the burden for them is the usual cost of owning a home? You can probably count on it…    

It is the third strike against conservative values by this conservative Court, leaving me to wonder whether the proclivity to side with the State rather than the voter is a bad omen for the strong-willed man (or nurturing parents) who want to protect the family, personal assets, and future well-being.

 In other words, Alito’s brief is not just about restricting voters.  It leaves in tatters the conservative principles underlying a righteous journey toward prosperity.  It undermines conservative principles of

o   protecting your family

o   keeping government out of your life and business, and

o   moving ahead with your moral aspirations toward a fulfilling life if it decides that  small burdens of controls, rules and regulations can be borne by you.  

In other words, the State can not only impose regulations and requirements on voters to prevent a fraudulent activity, but it could also take after your enterprises if it thought they might be fraudulent or maybe illegal.

Conservatives and Progressives alike have been bamboozled by this conservative Court because the values and principles by which it functions have been undermined.  And you thought this was simply about voting rights….

Wrong – it is an attack on some family and community values that you have always understood as your moral foundation.   Too bad you didn’t see it coming, but don’t fret – there will be more to come because this Court doesn’t want to protect your rights or your ambitions.  Its mission is aimed toward protecting power, authority, and its own status as the only interpreters of the Constitution with the acquired ability to formulate (or re- interpret) ‘corrected’ laws from established ones.  If you have not already read Justice Kagan’s dissent it is advisable to do so.  She gets to the heart of the matter when she says:

"Maybe some think that vote suppression is a relic of history — and so the need for a potent section 2 has come and gone. ... But Congress gets to make that call."  "That law, of all laws, should not be diminished by this court."

The Court is not just protecting State authority, it is protecting its assumed powers as the one branch of government that controls the intent and the constitutional integrity of laws, thus bringing to the fore, an assumption of primacy it does not have, as Kagan implies. It is Congress, after all, that has the constitutional power to formulate laws.  It is the Court that has the role of judging whether laws meet the standards of the Constitution or the intent of the original legislation.  The Constitution does not grant SCOTUS the power to legislate new law or to base its judgments of intent or constitutionality on rampant conspiracy theory or on phraseology that begets abuse by state or federal governments. 

In this case, the Court has rendered a verdict based on a false assumption -- that discrimination against minorities has  disappeared enough -- to have rendered section 2 of federal voting law null and void, refusing to consider whether actual  and “usual” burdens placed on some voters are indeed consequential, and thus contribute to some voters’ inability to locate their polling places and arrange to get to them.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority have crowned themselves as interpreters of social history, while ignoring the protests and expressions of racism and xenophobia that are everywhere in current society.  Their failure to protect the most vulnerable, to unburden the most afflicted or to recognize disparity and lack of opportunity based on race , is what can happen to principles and morality when maintaining the Court’s power to say what is valid law and what is not takes precedence over the real-life exigencies and burdens facing real people.

We are now at the mercy of a Court majority that places the will of the People in a secondary position while assuring that States, corporations and a wealthy white aristocracy have the upper hand and can maintain control over all matters political and economic.     

The Supreme Court under conservative theorists has long demonstrated its anti-democratic and anti-minority biases and has often created havoc and chaos because of decisions couched in language that attempts to hide or at least cover-up its betrayal of democratic principles and ideals, and its moral indecency.  (For more on this subject, consult the series of books by Thom Hartmann entitled “The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America”)