Door To Hell

This is another enlightening read considering the times we are in.  Prior to reading The Case Against the Fed, I was convinced that the economic crisis we are currently in was caused by the actions of the Fed and its "solution", TARP, was going to benefit only the bankers.  After reading this book, my thoughts are cemented.

Rothbard belongs the Austrian School of Economics, proponents of the free market who despise central banking.  Rothbard makes a compelling case and in a very readable, laymen way.  Rothbard explains the ideas behind central banking and how they create inflation, though purporting to control inflation.  Beyond explaining the Federal Reserve, Rothbard shows how it was implemented in the US and the drivers behind it.  It's incredible to believe how much power JP Morgan and Rockefeller had in the early 1900's.

Rothbard describes an almost ominous and conspiratorial implementation of the Federal Reserve.  Even if I believed this to be true, which I may, what I find lacking was an analysis or description of how they justified the needs or benefits of a central banking system.  Furthermore, I would like Rothbard to counter more ideas from proponents of central banking.  Not necessarily from bankers but from economists.

I look forward to reading more of Rothbard's work.  I can't say yet I'm a follower of his ideas but I find many compelling, enough to want me to read more.

I just finished Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States after starting it in late September.  Throughout the period of time I was reading the book, we have experienced the election of the first black President and an economic turbulence that harkens back to the Great Depression.  That being said, Zinn's message seemed much more relevant and present during these historic times.  The book is extensive, it covers from 1492 to present times, therefore, I really just want to touch on a couple of themes that really resonate now.

First, the election of Barack Obama was an historical event and symbolizes the success of so many people's struggles throughout history that Zinn chronicles.  Zinn makes the point over and over again that the equality and freedom won for blacks was literally fought and paid for in blood through the people rising up.  The government did not give the blacks equality, it was not their's to give, in fact the US Government did little to help the movements and did much to hinder them.  Read about Bobby Kennedy's time as Attorney General.  The people are the source of power for change and justice, not the government.  Does this sound familiar?  It should as it was the central theme of Barack Obama's campaign and promises.  However, if Zinn's book shows us, we should be skeptical of Obama as every single President before him has done little to change the inequitable system that protects and enhances the elite in society through misguided policy.  I want to hope and believe that Obama is different but his actions will have to prove it to me, until then I will be skeptical.

Another related theme that Zinn discusses is the concept of Patriotism.  In recent years Patriotism is used as a Scarlet Letter, "either you're with us or against us."  The most deceitful tactic is implying that disagreeing with the government is unpatriotic.  Zinn makes it clear that love of country is not love of government.  We as a society have to unravel the brainwashing that started as children that intertwines government and country.  Zinn also makes the complaint that most classical history tells the story of states and their government as if they were on some noble, theatrical stage, ignoring the actual people. 

Finally, with the events recently I believe that in the near future, political consciousness will once again be raised to unprecedented levels.  The people of the United States will stand up to demand for equality through classes.  The economic crises has seen the US Government give a mind boggling amount of money to Banks and Big Corporations, while meanwhile people are losing their jobs, houses, and means of living at a pace we haven't seen in decades.  The greed of the corporations led us down this path, with the government allowing it, what's going to happen when millions of people realize not only have they been robbed, but robbed of everything?  My answer:  I believe that if events continue down this road that we will have an economic revolution soon.  It will be a transformation to a system that is more just and equitable. Whether Barack Obama can lead that will be interesting, but if I am right he will not be able to deny it.

                In the midst of the 2008 Presidential election, awareness of
America’s foreign policy should be at its height.  Unfortunately after reading Noam Chomsky’s Failed States,I have become almost despondent at the state of our country.  This is not my first foray into Chomsky’s
writings.  Having read Hegemony or Survival
and What We Say Goes: Conversations on U.S. Power in a Changing World, I am familiar with his
perspective.  Failed States once
again reiterates what those books state, that America is first and foremost
concerned with Hegemony and protecting the interests of the privileged and
elite.

                Chomsky’s
writing brings relentless logic, page after page.  His writing, although brilliant and
illuminating, is also repetitive and overwhelming.  If reading a nice enjoyable novel is like
floating down a stream, then reading Chomsky is like trudging through
quicksand.  My review is not an attempt
to capture point by point Chomsky’s assertions, that would entail me writing a
book.  Instead, I will proceed by taking
a couple of broad overviews that I found interesting.

                As one
may imagine, Chomsky is extremely critical of Bush II.  In fact much of the book highlights Bush’s
failings and misguided stances.  What may
surprise most about Chomsky is that he is critical of almost all U.S.
Presidents and their policy.  In Failed States Chomsky goes as far back as Andrew Jackson and the atrocities
committed toward the Seminoles.  Bill
Clinton is not spared either.  In fact,
Bush II stands out not for his policy but instead how he conducts it.  Whereas past Presidents were subtle and
feigned respect for the rest of the globe, Bush II has become the outlaw cowboy
doing as he damn pleases under the guise of some “moral vision.”

                Another
claim that Chomsky makes, that we all need to increase our awareness about, is
that the U.S. has done more to enhance the threat of Nuclear proliferation and
a Nuclear disaster than any other global state. 
The U.S. throughout history has had many opportunities to decrease the
likelihood of a nuclear disaster yet insists on taking policy stances that
force the hands of other countries to nuclear weaponry.  These are areas where the government rather
than looking out for the survival and wellbeing of mankind, is instead more
concerned about U.S. hegemony.  The
problem is they take it to the point of irrationality.  Hegemony could still be attained, without
ramping up the threat of nuclear destruction. 
Chomsky points this out several times.

                Well
known by readers of Chomsky is his distaste for the US-Israeli relations.     Chomsky
delves into this subject again extensively. 
Chomsky paints Israel as the lapdogs of the US.  Israel pursues its own ugly foreign policy by
continually taking more and more Palestinian lands and refuses to honestly
negotiate a peace.  However, still bows
down when the master speaks. 

                Chomsky
takes on the subject of democracy promotion. 
This is typically the red herring that allows us to justify our actions
in third world countries.  The problem
is, we only truly allow democracy if the “right person wins.”  If the democratically elected leader of
another country is at all a perceived threat, then the principles of democracy
are thrown out the window.  In addition,
our own democracy is failed.  The leaders
of the country do not follow the general will of the populace.  This is shown extensively in Failed States
when Chomsky addresses the issues that matter to the population, such as health
care, reducing military spending, signing the Kyoto protocols, and generally
accepting International law. 

                Chomsky’s
vision of a just foreign policy is one that adheres to the principle of
universality.  In other words, the Golden
Rule.  We, as a country, declare
pre-emptive wars, interfere in the democracies of other countries, carry on torture,
allow inhumane treatment, and yet at the same time declare moral superiority to
ourselves and the rest of the world.  I
enjoy reading Chomsky, though at times it is a chore and at times it is
discouraging to my hope for the future. 
Whether you agree with him or not, he must be acknowledged.  His thoughts and ideas are important enough
that they merit discussion.  This is what
saddens me the most.  That in the current
climate, to state the ideas Chomsky promotes is heresy.  Americas has come to a point where it is
necessary to examine ourselves as a nation. 
Examining the faults will be the most important thing going forward.  The virtues of America are well known and
hopefully appreciated.  I know I am
thankful everyday to be born so lucky. 
However, examining our faults is what will allow us to progress to a
more humane and just society.