I have to admire the sheer shamelessness of that man. He brought misery to millions, created a vast new playing field for criminal entrepreneurs, paved the way for the modern war on drugs — all in the name of building a better world.
And he was able to tap into the progressive liberal mindset and the conservative “lock ‘em up and throw away the key!” mindset at the same time.
I marvel at the man’s talent, but I wish we weren’t stuck with his legacy.
===
In many ways the Moral Entrepreneur and the Socialist have a similar mind set:
"It didn't work? We have not spent enough money." Or "It didn't work? We need harsher penalties." Or the prize of both the Socialist and the Moral Entrepreneur "It didn't work? We need a better class of people." Usually followed by extermination or expulsion of the undesirables.
You can beat people up and sometimes get their submission. Rarely can you get their cooperation that way.
I couldn't agree more. I write pieces for the newspapers and letters to my Congressman, but I can't see either have any effect. If more would write to their Congressmen it might help.
As you say, the problem is that a substantial number (ie religious conservatives) think it is the right thing to do.
I see someone is promoting a floating island nation beyond territorial waters. Something I wrote a story about (never finished or published) close to fifty years ago. They may turn out to be a place of last resort to flee to.
I find it difficult to imagine our present government will not just get us deeper in the mire.
See Disagreeable Truths three posts below