By John Torgrimson
Lanesboro, MN
John LeCarre, the novelist and former British spy, was interviewed by CBS about a year ago. Most of the talk was focused on Brexit — Britain leaving the EU — but then the topic turned to America.
“I’m talking about Brexit, but Americans know the difference between patriotism and nationalism. A patriot can criticize his country, stay with it, and go through the democratic process; a nationalist needs enemies,” LeCarre said.
And that is really the difference between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Biden believes in the institutions of democracy and that America is a grand experiment, an example to the world that these processes work in the end. He also knows that democracy has its shortcomings that it takes an informed citizenry to participate in an effort to create a more perfect union. Biden recognizes that systemic racism is a good example where America has fallen short and that it is an issue about justice, not law and order.
Trump on the other hand has little or no respect for our democratic institutions. Rather than relying on them as a foundation for solving problems and giving people a fair deal, he tries to bend them to his own will. He knows so little about government or why our founding fathers created three branches of government or how they are intended to work together. Nor does he care.
LeCarre is absolutely right: nationalists need people to blame for all the wrongs of society.
Trump’s enemy list includes immigrants, Muslims, journalists, scientists, educators, Democrats, athletes, diplomats, intelligence officers, federal judges, Puerto Ricans, New Yorkers and Californians, admirers of John McCain and Barack Obama, gang of four Congresswomen, liberals, generals, CDC administrators, Blue Staters, non-whites, nasty women, flag kneelers, staff of New York Times and Washington Post, postal service, Hollywooders, protesters, unionists, tree-huggers, FBI agents, and mask-wearers, to name just a few.
Trump has single handedly created the mess this country is in, but is incapable of finding a way forward, because he is driven by a love of self rather than a love of country.
So America, do you know the difference between patriotism and nationalism? I think you do.
Clyde potter says
Boyum is obtuse. I say billionaires funding joy rides to nowhere low level near space, burning solid rocket fuel spewing thousands of tons of hydrocarbons. All because they can, without anyone in politics today to say out loud hey wait one. Damage to our environment isn’t that bad you wealthy billionaires go ahead with your fun. When mr.boyum was borne stupid he has proven he is crippled for life, his red ass will not heal til dumb Donald relieves his inflammation. Yes democracy is near dead, capitalists will prevail, dick Cheney is doing fine sitting on a clean water exemption. I hear Donald is near bankrupt, maybe Mitch will convince his wife to write home and secure a free loan err uh gift for Donald we all know how he treats bank loans and other world leaders that are autocrates.
Ryan says
What an absolute wacko this Boyum guy is. Wow. And that is your modern day Republican. Living in a bubble of misinformation and lies.
Herbert E Panko says
So, Mr. Boyum, I assume you are in favor of getting rid of socialist-leaning programs like Social Security, Medicare, government farm programs, local government state aid etc. Of course, you are not. You so-called anti-socialists are such hypocrites and wind bags.
Gerald J. Boyum says
1. It appears that you, as others seem to do, are confusing social programs with socialism. Your list consists of social programs that can be administered under any type of governments; including communism. Socialism is a political and economic system- a huge difference. You could have left that last sentence off- it again condemns so-called socialists by what I’ve said several times: “the truth is closer to the opposite of what leftists say it is.”
2. As I have stated, socialism is a political and economic system that involves:
– Ultimate Authority. A large, central government that controls all aspects of its citizens lives, starting with centralized planning and control of the economy. It requires whatever power is required to accomplish wealth distribution, and control of the economy.
– Individual Rights. The bigger the government, the smaller the individual. Your rights are determined by the government based on your contributions to the overall socialist government’s goal: universal material equality. What the government gives, it can (and will) take away:
* – Freedom of Speech. Opposing ideas represent a threat that must be eliminated, even if people must be threatened, put in re-education camps, or even killed. Over 100 million citizens were murdered by their governments in the 20th century alone in their quests for this socialist utopia.
* – Freedom of Religion. A government that is against God is a government that considers itself as “god”. No other “religion” is permitted.
* – Right of Self Defense. Gun ownership is a definite threat to the socialists who must use force to implement total control and their wealth redistribution system. They will use guns/violence to achieve control; they’re not going to leave this option open to the resistance.
*- Private Ownership of Property. Private property is banned because it supposedly contributes to inequality and greed. The means of production and distribution of goods and services (factories, farms, mines, forests, transportation, finances, etc., are owned/controlled by the central government. “From each according to his ability to each according to his need” is a key Marxist principle that summarizes their economic system. However, the key problem here is just who decides “ability” and “needs” in the absence of a pricing/marketing system? Why of course, the leaders and top party members do, and guess who will not go wanting for anything while the people lack common goods that we take for granted, and even starve?
– One Party System. Socialists/communists do not like competition. Elections are either not held, or if held, it’s to give the impression that the people have a say in determining who rules them. The outcome is predetermined.
– Control of Information. There should be no doubt about which ideology dominates dominate information provided to the American public. Much of media is nothing more than left-leaning activists masquerading as free press journalists, but who actually are propagandists for the Dem. Socialists. This information determines the identity, worldview, and voting choices of citizens who have swallowed their lies and distortions of facts. It is a domino effect: (“Socialism” by William J. Federer), a book that should be required reading for all high school and college graduates.
* – the country is controlled by laws;
* – Laws are controlled by politicians;
* – Politicians are controlled by voters (to a certain extent);
* – Voters are controlled by public opinion;
* – Public opinion is controlled by media, education and Internet censorship;
– Therefore, whoever controls media, education, and Internet controls the country.
3. You and others should notice that characteristics or descriptions of social programs was not mentioned once. Most likely this false belief is the result of another big lie. At any rate, socialism is an ideology that has failed everywhere in the real world when it has been tried. Socialism’s big lies of equality, prosperity, and security turn into poverty, misery, tyranny, and death. The Left wrecks everything that it comes in contact with because of its flawed beliefs and false ideology. What would a rational person expect from an ideology based on atheism? Venezuela is the latest example!
Greg Rendahl says
Gerald, you can give your fingers somewhat of a rest since you labor under a serious misunderstanding. Progressive Democrats have zero interest in your definition of socialism. We simply want better social programs.
Gerald Boyum says
1. “Progressive Democrats have zero interest in your definition of socialism.”
That’s like saying a drowning person has zero interest in water! What you and others want is not reality. A vote for Biden is a vote for socialism and against America and its people. I’m referring to the Democratic Party which has been highjacked by the “Hard Left” socialists/communists starting with purging the party of anti-communists in the 1960s. Simply wanting better programs is a worthy objective, but that is definitely not what this current party is about! Adding “democratic” to Socialist Party is nothing more than camouflage to help them pull more wool over the voting public’s eyes as they, aided by corrupt political activists masquerading as free-press journalists, did during Obama’s elections for senator and president. For some reason, they were “not interested” in doing investigative reporting on his Marxist background.
Of course they hate Trump and conservatives- he’s doing what he can to derail this “fundamental transformation” of America, and bring our country back to the ideals as originally set out by the Founding Fathers and imbedded in our Declaration and Constitution.
2. Mark Alexander nails it in “The Socialist Democratic Party, The Fundamental Transformation of America”: “… there is no consequential distinction between Marxist Socialism, National Socialism, or the most recent incarnation of this beast, Democratic Socialism. The objective of socialism by any name, is to replace Rule of Law with the rule of men, and the terminus [end result] of this transformation is tyranny.”
3. Here is what you are voting for by choosing the Dem. Socialist ticket, a prescription for unmitigated misery, poverty, bankruptcy and possible end of the American experiment in self-government and individual liberty:
– Green New Deal: $92 trillion over 10 years + loss of 10 million jobs in oil, gas and coal industries which would add to welfare and unemployment benefits, and severe financial hardship on millions of middle-class families.
– Universal Basic Income.
– Free College Tuition.
– $15-an-hour minimum wage, + new costs at every level of government.
– Reparations payments for slavery, between $5.9 trillion and $14.2 trillion.
– Medicare For All: $32 trillion over 10 years.
– Open borders. Increased crime, costs for educating illegal, costs of increased imprisonment
– Health care for illegals.
– Loss of Right of Self-Defense by Banning guns.
– Continued attacks on Christianity and Freedom of Religion.
– Felons voting from prison.
– Bread lines and shortages.
– Defunding Police, Increased Crime.
– Cutting Military, Putting entire country at risk due to increasing external threats.
– Higher Taxes.
– Control of Communications and Education. Already partially achieved.
– Abolition of Electoral College which was designed to give small states a say in elections in favor of popular elections.
– Packing Supreme Court to gain control of them. FDR threatened to do this after they ruled against him.
– One Party Control.
– Crony Capitalism and Other Corruption.
John O’Brien says
Gerald, you are proving this writer’s point by clearly indicating that you do not actually care to understand what the Democrats and Joe Biden want—you only care about what Trump and the GOP have told you to fear. Bread lines? Take a look around at what has happened under Trump the past year alone! I promise you, life would be a lot happier if you broadened your horizons by learning—actually learning—about what platforms Democrats support and why. It’s high time we stop allowing billionaires to convince us to vote against our own interests in this country, as the past year has certainly proven that we are the wealthiest third world country in the world with one party caring not a whit for its citizens beyond using their hard earned money to line their pockets. If you benefit from Social Security and Medicare, you might be interested to know that those were the first things the GOP were going to get rid of had Trump received a second term. Why? Because that money could be redistributed to billionaires and corporations. You want to talk socialism—the Tax Cuts that the GOP made are essentially free money to corporate donors. The privatized border camps? They tell you these migrant caravans are dangerous so you don’t care that our tax dollars are paying corporations running those border camps $117/day per person. The more people, the more money they can transfer out of tax dollars into corporate accounts who do not pay anything in taxes. Would you prefer that money go toward fixing your town’s roads and bridges and revitalizing the community? I sure would. I’d like healthcare too. But billionaires wouldn’t get that money if we got healthcare, so they tell us it’s socialism.
I really hope you are well and that you might consider looking behind the curtain for yourself.
Gerald J. Boyum says
1. Interesting, isn’t it, that your title and comments confirm what I’ve said many times: The actual truth is closer to the opposite of what the leftist Propaganda Ministry says; i.e., “The Revolution Needs Enemies”.
2. From William J. Federer’s “Socialism, The Real History From Plato to the Present”, Ch. 80. “Revolution Needs the Enemy.”
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels:“ It goes without saying that these conspirators by no means confine themselves to organizing the revolutionary proletariat (working class)…Their business consists in …spurring it into artificial crises … For them the only conditions required for the revolution is a sufficient organization of their own conspiracy. They are the alchemists of the revolution.”
Fidel Castro: “The revolution needs the enemy… The revolution needs for its development its antithesis” … And if enemies were lacking, they had to be fabricated…”
3. For the “current revolution”, under the guise of Black Lives Matter, the Marxist leaders identified the police as the immediate “enemy”, but quickly turned to the real enemy; America, its cultural heritage, and history that had to be eliminated and replaced with communist/Marxist ideology. Everything related to Washington, Jefferson or other Founding Fathers, Columbus, churches, statures of saints, etc. has to go. This is what communists do, not “peaceful” protestors!
4. The two paragraphs concerning what Joe Biden and Trump supposedly personally believe in could be switched around to more accurately reflect what they believe. At any rate, the central question is the political ideologies they are supporting and representing: it’s about American Conservatism with Trump (some of which are imbedded in our founding documents) or Democratic Socialism (based on flawed philosophies and outright lies) with Biden. Differences concerning key ideological elements are:
– Foundation/Ultimate Authority. Belief in a Creator God vs. godless Marxism. Trump has invoked/appealed to God in his speeches and actions many times.
– Individual Rights. Originate from God vs. from “The State”. Trump has supported key rights as outlined in the Bill of Rights such as right to life (without this one, all other rights are meaningless), freedom of religion, and right to self-defense.
– Purpose of Government. Securing unalienable individual rights vs. redefining them as part of “social engineering”.
– Property. Private ownership vs. State Controlled/Owned. Private property ownership, including the means of production and distribution is a backbone of liberty, the freedom to buy, own, and sell property for profit.
– Economic System. Capitalism vs. Socialism. Capitalism, private property ownership, and applicable supporting laws create wealth and allow people to enjoy the fruits of their labor; centrally-planned socialism consumes wealth, destroys initiative and creativity with resultant lowered productivity and extensive shortages of key consumables which promote corruption and black markets.
– America. Greatest Country To Have Existed vs. Bad Country. America is “bad” only when compared to a utopian fantasy that has never existed and never will due to the flawed nature of man.
– Real World Applications and Results of Experiments. United States vs. former Soviet Union, South Korea vs. North Korea, West Germany vs. East Germany before wall removed, most of Latin America vs. Cuba and Venezuela, Republican-managed cities vs. Democratically-controlled cities.
– President Trump supports and promotes all of the first items listed in each paragraph; Biden and Dem. Socialists are opposed to them and are acting to dismantle them in their quest for one-party rule and “fundamental transformation” of America.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill
5. I don’t believe that you or other people who consider voting for Biden are really socialists/communists, So why are you voting for them? Thanks to the leftist propaganda ministry consisting of political activists masquerading as “free press” journalists and indoctrinators in our school systems posing as unbiased “educators”, the wool has been pulled over your eyes and other good, well-intended people ever since the 1960s and earlier. Your Democrat Party is not the party of Truman and JFK who were staunch anti-communists! Your enemy, as is ours and America’s; are the Radical Leftists (communists, socialists) who have hijacked this party according to communist goal number #15 as listed by Rep. Albert Herlong, Jr. who read them into the Congressional Record Jan.10, 1963:
– “Capture one or both political parties in the United States.” Done!
Others that should be noted:
– “#17. Get control of the schools.” Partially completed. Many university departments are nothing more than seminaries for leftism, including journalism and education (teacher training) departments. John Dewey, who is considered as the “Father of ‘Progressive’ Education was an atheist/socialist.
– “#19. Use student riots to foment public protests…” Not limited to students; hijacking protests and turning them into “the revolution”. It’s what’s unfolding right now.
– “#20. Infiltrate the press.” This is partially completed. Now, if they can destroy Fox News, talk radio, censor conservative authors and speakers, and burn their all their books…
– “#22 Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression…eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings,” Again, this is what’s being accomplished currently.
6. The choice of everyone who believes in America and its future should not be difficult at all if not blinded by impossible utopian fantasies and false promises. It is Trump and American Conservatism/Republican using principles that have made America the greatest country to have existed or Biden/Dem. Socialism based on an ideology that has ruined every country wherever it’s been tried?
Brandon Won LOL says
Clearly, you’re not very well-educated. You’re also not very intelligent. You can screech about right-wing conspiracy talking points all day, and I’m sure you will. However, at the end of the day, you lost. Trump lost. There’s nothing you can or will do about it, either, other than post more novels filled with drivel that you heard Tucker say, and that you once saw on “the Epich Times.”