As students of American history know, in 1932 and 1933, after the election and around the inauguration of FDR, there was a significant portion of the public that wanted a dictator. FDR even toyed with the idea but chose not to do so. At that time Fascism wasn't necessarily frowned upon here. Mussolini was actually well respected, and the Reichstag fire just happened in March 1933 when Hitler took complete control. So they can argue that we need a dictator.   But, let's be consistent. Shred the constitution, if necessary. But they never take me up on it: instead, they pretend to love democracy. You can't have it both ways. My biggest problem, I tell them,  with Bush and his thugs is not that he was moving close to dictatorial power; but that the slobs tried to hide that they were doing so. Just he and Cheney and Rumsfeld and the other scumbags took it upon themselves to do what they did. That's why I say they belong in public cages where they can be on display, like a zoo. But, we should be able as a country to have a rational discussion as to the future form of our government.

Maybe we'd be a lot better off if we agreed on a dictatorship.  Freeze the borders, bomb anywhere in the world if they don't give us their raw materials,  lock up the colored peoples in camps, and eat big meals. We can then wash it down with alcohol and really not give a shit. Oh, and only wasps can be on TV commercials and the women can argue over how clean they keep their linoleum floors. Yes, those were the days!  And if I stop in a store, English is always spoken exclusively. An all white world! No more of that 3rd world riff-raff. Bring it on!!

 The problem, as I see it, is that we can't even debate rationally whether we'd be better off with a dictator because they are total liars and won't admit the obvious.  They have a vested interest in pretending that they love democracy...that they're patriotic. No, it has gotten to the point where, if almost any subject is even brought up to them, the right wing quickly reveals itself as being little more than a poorly concealed reservoir of bigotry. For example, let's face it, they favor vouchers rather than pay to improve public education, because they want to "legally" send their children to all white schools. And, even more to the point than that, at all costs don't share the wealth. No problem that for the last 30 years we've witnessed unprecedented growth in income disparity, the rich can never get enough. I could go on and on with examples of their blatant class bigotry but, what's the point? I trust you understand. "Vouchers" is a mere slogan, used by the real elite, like "patriotism", to solicit the prejudice that  is just below the surface of every human being.....and they know it.

 You want to experience receiving a blank look? Try explaining to any one of these slobs that Obama just wants to let expire the Bush tax cut for the rich, his proposal doesn't even come remotely close to what the rich were paying under Eisenhower, Nixon, or Bush Sr. Naturally, they are left speechless because their position is indefensible. They apparently think they have an absolute right to any wealth they have acquired. They will not give up anything without screaming as loudly as they can........Unfortunately, be ready for more and even louder noise.

 And yet, for example, according to the right wing, when welfare was "reformed" over a decade ago, that was reduction of a mere privilege, not a "right". The poor don't have a right to much more than the air, according to the elites,.....they should just be thankful that they live in this country, and be appreciative and obedient, and wave the flag. After all, everything's fine the way it is, no need for this call for "change". Who needs change when you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want it, and wherever you wish? To them (the real elite), the only possible "change" is that they should acquire even more wealth because they "deserve" it. (How has the overwhelming majority agreed to this crap for so long?).

 We have to finally fully admit the truth that it is human nature to always want more. It will never end, so stop waiting for it. The elites understand human nature and use bigotry to their advantage. We (the human race) have to be in a constant struggle to battle our own tendencies, to fight to promote equality. It's true that there will be no such thing as "equality" unless we are engaged in constant struggle to achieve and then maintain it.

 Presumably we know that people are not born equal, we can only hope and aspire to equality of opportunity.  But, it must be kept in mind that at any given time there is only so much "pie" to go around. Therefore, it's also human nature for these Sarah Palin fans, to do what they can to prevent the underclasses from "succeeding". For every little bit of monetary "success" by those without, the elite must surrender something of value. They'll never do it voluntarily, and never without loud screaming. Vouchers, low taxes, wars, patriotism, abortion, etc., are all bigotry-based slogans used to keep those without in line, all to the benefit of the real elite. Certainly, it's time to ignore those distractions and treat them as just that: "distractions", thrown in the way by the elite to try to prevent the masses from focusing on what must truly matter to them: distinctions of wealth.

 And, it would seem to necessarily follow, that although we would achieve much in the way of needed efficiency, if we were to move to a dictatorship, there would be the likely prospect that Mr./Ms. dictator would protect the wealth of the real elite. and bigotry would be even more expanded and out in the open than it now is.  And, almost by definition, the masses would lose whatever access they now have to appeal (question) the decisions that are made, so the overwhelming majority of humans in this country would be worse off. That being the case, dictatorship must be prevented.

 It is no surprising announcement to say that we (the USA) now face an enormously large problem. There is a good chance that in attempting to resolve this problem, we will end up in an ultra-rightist, dictatorship, with even more inequality than is now present. In looking into the foggy future, I can't help but see a USA that is very good for the dwindling few and ever worse for the growing majority. Until what? (because things always do change). It continues to "grow" until it just bursts and I don't want to be around for the explosion. But is it even fair of me to leave such an existence to my children? Probably not.

 Accordingly, we cannot morph into a dictatorship. Instead, we must continue with some sort of lame attempt at democracy until we get it right or, at least, acceptable. And due to a great many reasons, including how well the right is organized and how loud will be the screaming, we have no choice but to mobilize now, and urgently. This should be the existing short-term plan, anyhow. As to the long-term, and disputes of capitalism v. socialism, etc., we at least have several months within which to argue and decide.

 I see this as akin to a life and death struggle: run, work harder, and harder, and "beat" the outnumbered into submission. There is no choice.

 Obama, whatever you may think of him, represents our best hope. If he fails we get at least 4 or 8 more years of idiots and scoundrels, at a time when not only is it highly undesirable but, humanity can simply not afford it. So, we have no choice but to support him in mass. I think he has requested such support. Push him!  We have no choice but to help and now! It may actually surprise us as to how much we can achieve. After all, there really must be some hope.

The global climate crisis (just the first of many emergencies) requires immediate action. I heard the other day that we're already past the point of no return. What exactly does that mean? I'm 61 years old and feel a lot older. I'm ill. I don't think it will directly affect me. But, what about my children and the world?

I could write a list of all the global emergencies that required real action about 8 years ago but received no action at all.  But, to complain about Bush's BS, while true and valid, doesn't really go to solving the IMMEDIATE problems. Yes, I support deterrence so that it may not happen again, but if we don't solve, for example, global warming, who really cares. (to quote Dick Cheney).

Sadly, I've got to say that I don't see a solution. I've tried as hard as I can, but just don't see a real possibility of our continuing to exist, if at all, in anything even close to our present form.

It's in this context that Obama has offered me some undefined hope, but hope nonetheless. And it feels good to be at all optimistic.

But, as I write this article, I've got to be truthful. Somehow, in some way, (maybe in many, who knows) he won't succeed. I feel that there are no real grounds for hope. It's maybe ironic, but in that context maybe right wing power brokers have the correct idea: give up, grab all you can, and be gluttonously contented. But, that can't be correct, or otherwise it's unacceptable and unworkable thinking. Otherwise, what's wrong with being a drug addict, etc.?  Hedonistic?

So, I conclude that we must have some sort of hope although I'm unable to find it. That being the case I must leave it to others. (And run the risk of being accused of accepting aging prematurely).

Yes, I must believe in some undefined hope. It's necessary for my continued existence. But, being unable to figure it out (even plausibly) I personally must leave it to others.

Good luck, and I mean it. I hope I'm wrong and wrong about Obama. I do believe in his good faith, just not in anyone's adequate ability.

So, I'll be checking in periodically. I'll remain somewhat curious. No cop-out here. Just may others go do it?  Don't give up like me.

I tend to agree with those who feel that we have no real choice but to go after them criiminally for what they've done. The bottom line is deterrence; absent prosecution what is there to stop a future George W. Bush or even worse? So, we must keep exerting pressure on Obama to at least join the International Criminal Court, and not to try protecting these thugs from an exercise of jurisdiction by that court.

Sure, it would feel good to me personally to witness Bush & co sent to jail (retribution), but we must overcome personal preferences. Also, it may not be good for our collective self esteem to see former leaders led away, but, again, there is no choice if our democracy is to survive. The real question that we must be prepared for is what happens if there is another terrrorist incident under Obama's watch? We know that it may be no fault of his or his administration but, nonetheless, he will be blamed badly politically for it. After all, the average independent in this country is willing to say "screw it" to torture, loss of constitutional rights, and all the rest, to be safe. Framed this way, the question really goes to the continuation of a free democracy or the imposition of a real dictator.

Also, I don't think that a discussion of this possiblilty is to waste time dealing with only a remote possibility. Terrorists are continually trying to gain entry across our admittedly porous borders, and the chances of at least one getting through and touching off a major incident is not minor. What will or should the left do in such circumstance?

The answer can only be the education of the public: to drill home the likelihood of a terrorist occurrence regardless of the effiicacy of efforts to stop it. In fact, we should be talking more of this now and not waiting for the event to happen. The alternative is the obvious crushing of any liberal leaning regime in this country, and a "goosestepping" in line while blindly following a leader who appears and calls for safety of the "homeland" at all costs.

I feel that it comes down to just that. If we are to retain any chance of a free and relatively open society (and avoid real dictatorship), we must stress the likelihood of another terrorist event regardless of the effort to prevent it. Can the public handle it? Better to err on the side of truth.

And that final thought (at the risk of oversimplification) summarizes what we can realistically hope for in the coming Obama Administration: in sharp contrast to the last 8 years, being open and truthful with the American people. Let's only hope.