Published in the Truthout (Link to article and comments) The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way…
“Deep State” Truthout Interview
Introduction to “the Deep State” | Deep State Salon Interview | “Deep State” Truthout Interview | The Deep State Book Reviews | Direct Links to buy “The Deep State” | By Leslie Thatcher, Truthout | Interview Retired congressional staffer Mike Lofgren illuminates the shadowy influencers behind US politics in his incriminating new book, The Deep State. Explore…
John Kasich: He’s Conservative, but at Least He’s Sane
Published in the DailyBeast (link to article) I worked for Kasich on Capitol Hill. Yes, he’s very conservative. But there are a few surprises in there, and he’s in Bizarro World. With his surprising second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, Ohio governorJohn Kasich has vaulted out of the pack of also-rans to become the latest hope…
The ‘Downton Abbey’ Generals
Published in the Consortiumnews (Link to article and comments) As Official Washington lusts for a new Cold War – all the better to fleece the taxpayers on behalf of the Military-Industrial Complex – there are also smaller perks that the powerful prefer, like U.S. generals having enlisted soldiers perform as their personal servants like the…
Washington’s Libido for the Ugly
Surveying the real estate choices of Washington’s contractors, lobbyists and corporate lawyers reveals the raw, nouveau-riche tastes of our capital’s shadow government. Published in Bill Moyers and Company ( Link to article and comments) Gates at Xanadu. (Photo by Mike Lofgren) In 1927, H.L. Mencken rode by train through the Pennsylvania coal country. The houses…
An oligarchy has broken our democracy. It must be dislodged
Pro forma elections have camouflaged the true state of our political system. Will that change this year? Each new election year promises change. We will choose a new president and new representatives in Congress; fresh faces will make their appearances in Washington DC, while old ones disappear. But what about the people who stay in…
Republican Deficit Hypocrisy
Published Jan 15 in the New York Times Link to Article At the Republican debate last night in South Carolina, Republicans were happy to talk about, and denounce, the budget deficit and debt. Senator Marco Rubio said that we must “bring our debt under control.” Mr. Rubio, like other G.O.P. candidates, rails against the deficit as…