Washblog

The book's subtitle to American Theocracy is "The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century".  For people who've been paying attention, this is familiar thesis.  What Phillips brings to the discussion is the long view, a lot of fascinating analysis, and many keen observations.

George W's religiosity was discussed the most.  Phillips detailed George W's descent in madness, the goofy beliefs of the evangelicals (Dominionists, Rapturists, Young Earthers, and associated fruitcakes), the history, and long-term trends.  The issue of whether George W is an utter moron or some sort of idiot savant was left undecided.

Phillips made particular note of George W's messianic bent.  Particularly worrisome now that George W wants to use nukes to blow shit up.  Phillips believes we should press to determine what George W truly believes, because now it's actually relevant.  Phillips also wonders if religious delusions render George W disabled and if Congress would then have the Constitutional powers to remove him from office.  If only.

Part of Phillips' thesis is the analysis of empires past, what they did during the pinnacles, and how they fell.  Having not yet read the book, I imagine this effort is similar to Jared Diamond's Collapse.  Phillips identifies three traits of an empire preparing for a fall.  

A dialog of decay.  The left decries greed and evils of inequity.  The rich talks about morality and duty.

Religious excess, where people are trying to reconnect with some imagined prior "good old days", and the war on science.

Debt and overreach.

Phillips has plenty of criticism for both the Republicans and Democrats.  He claims that our situation is result of our two party system.  I agree.

I joined the acolytes, queued up, and got to ask my question.  Someone already asked about stolen elections, a theory which Phillips doesn't support.  So I asked something that had been on my mind since reading Wealth and Democracy.

In that book, Phillips explained that our current situation is repeat of cycle that happens in American politics about every 60 years.  The prior conservative heyday was the Roaring '20s, followed by a Populist and Progressive backlash.

I asked Phillips if we were overdue, seeing how the Reform Party made a pretty good stab in '92 and the Greens looked promising in 2000.  Phillips thought not.  He explained that they business of America is money and that so long as the money people continue to hold all the chips, nothing much will change.  What will bring about a change would be a collapse of some sort.

Happy thoughts, no?