See If This Sounds Eerily Familiar

[g5000]

There are three main reasons why such a numerous and strong group with fairly homogeneous views is not likely to be formed by the best but rather by the worst elements of any society.

In the first instance, it is probably true that in general the higher the education and intelligence of individuals becomes, the more their views and tastes are differentiated and the less likely they are to agree on a particular hierarchy of values. It is a corollary of this that if we wish to find a high degree of uniformity and similarity of outlook, we have to descend to the regions of lower moral and intellectual standards where the more primitive and “common” instincts and tastes prevail. This does not mean that the majority of people have low moral standards; it merely means that the largest group of people whose values are very similar are the people with low standards.

If, however, a potential dictator had to rely entirely on those whose uncomplicated and primitive instincts happen to be very similar, their number would scarcely give sufficient weight to their endeavours. He will have to increase their numbers by converting more to the same simple creed.

Here comes in the second negative principle of selection: he will be able to obtain the support of all the docile and gullible, who have no strong convictions of their own but are prepared to accept a ready-made system of values if it is only drummed into their ears sufficiently loudly and frequently. It will be those whose vague and imperfectly formed ideas are easily swayed and whose passions and emotions are readily aroused who will thus swell the ranks of the totalitarian party.

It is in connection with the deliberate effort of the skilful demagogue to weld together a closely coherent and homogeneous body of supporters that the third and perhaps most important negative element of selection enters. It seems to be almost a law of human nature that it is easier for people to agree on a negative programme, on the hatred of an enemy, on the envy of those better off, than on any positive task. The contrast between the “we” and the “they”, the common fight against those outside the group, seems to be an essential ingredient in any creed which will solidly knit together a group for common action. It is consequently always employed by those who seek, not merely support of a policy, but the unreserved allegiance of huge masses. From their point of view it has the great advantage of leaving them greater freedom of action than almost any positive programme. The enemy, whether he be internal like the “Jew” or the “Kulak”, or external, seems to be an indispensable requisite in the armoury of a totalitarian leader.

The Road to Serfdom - F. A. Hayek


Think about this the next time you listen to your favorite AM radio bloviator or 24 hour "news" network. Or when you find yourself creating a topic by copying and pasting nothing more than a link to a partisan web site article that has already been discussed several times in the same day.

"Loudly and frequently".

"[T]he support of all the docile and gullible".

"prepared to accept a ready-made system of values"

Don't be a piss drinker.

 

[Oddball]

Hayek Was Right: The Worst Do Get to the Top : The Freeman : Foundation for Economic Education

 

[OKTexas]

Yet the left still claims that there is nothing to be learned form history, they can always do it better, this time.

 

[Staidhup]

History is bound to repeat itself when people fail to learn, and choose to ignore, the lessons of history.

 

[g5000]

Yet the left still claims that there is nothing to be learned form history, they can always do it better, this time.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to the left. It's true the left has had totalitarian tendencies since FDR, but it is precisely because I have been seeing identical tendencies developing on the right for over a decade that I have become very concerned.

Gullible. A ready-made system of values drummed into their ears sufficiently frequently and loudly. Lower moral and intellectual standards. No strong convictions of their own.

It's all there in the UnConservative movement today.

But never mind all that. Let's talk about Obama's 54 Christmas trees and vacations and his birth certificate!

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Yes, let's focus on the goals and values of the party out of power because that's really fucking important

 

[g5000]

Yes, let's focus on the goals and values of the party out of power because that's really fucking important

You think the GOP is out of power?

And this has been going on since the Bush Administration. Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security, waterboarding, warrantless wiretaps. These are some serious totalitarian tendencies, and the dipshits handed the baton to Obama.

Wakey wakey.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Yes, let's focus on the goals and values of the party out of power because that's really fucking important

You think the GOP is out of power?

And this has been going on since the Bush Administration. Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security, waterboarding, warrantless wiretaps. These are some serious totalitarian tendencies, and the dipshits handed the baton to Obama.

Wakey wakey.

A long time ago, I said that if Dante were still handing our seat assignments in the Inferno Dubya would be down in the 9th Circle with the other traitors, but beneath Satan's ass

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Yet the left still claims that there is nothing to be learned form history......

.....And, Republicans still insist on.....

ALLOWING THE MARKETPLACE TO REGULATE ITSELF!


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6whSWn1RRM]Great Depression - YouTube[/ame]​