The Long Annoying Tradition of Anti-Patriotism
Declinism is a longstanding posture of political elites. It’s also a political choice, not a reflection of reality. I want to look at the long American embrace of anti-patriotism, of disdain for democracy, and general gloominess and dislike of politics. Because at times of populist anger at dysfunctional institutions – and we are in one right now – this anti-patriotic sentiment rises to the fore.
It’s not a sentiment, it’s an observation of reality. Perfectism is the expression of elites who want to keep people divided. Repooflicans were running the Candide game constantly until Trump broke it. Trump’s rhetoric was realistic, even though his actual performance was pure Repooflican and pure NAZI.
Every empire eventually declines. During the decline, some areas and occupations are still doing well for a variety of reasons.
I’ve discussed the geographical and occupational delta in the 1930s. My ancestors, certainly not rich, were doing well because they were in secure jobs. The areas where they lived were also doing well compared to the rest of Oklahoma, for more complex reasons.
The 1930s decline didn’t last because FDR carefully distinguished the good and bad parts, did exactly the right things to cure the bad parts, and simultaneously changed the system to prevent the decline from happening again. The renewed system worked until Nixon broke it.
In 2020, though I was in excruciating NAZI TORTURE CAMP, my occupation was doing well. Courseware was booming because colleges were online. I had lots of customer service work, and ended up with a big royalty check.
These zones of relative advantage don’t make the whole picture rosy. The NON-declinists want to tell the masses that all defects are caused by Horrible Other Party. If you just elect My Wonderful Party, everything will be fine again.
Both positions are merely political when expressed by politicians. Only one of the positions is objectively correct at a particular time. At THIS particular time the Western cultures are in serious decline, as the graphs of births vs deaths illustrate dramatically. When a nation is literally dying, it’s NOT in glorious health.
Polistra's Mill 