Is America moving from a permission society to repressive regime?

[Bullseye]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.

A few years ago, a book titled “The Permission Society” explained how the country’s ruling class had turned our God-given liberties into privileges granted by government. Is it possible that the U.S. has gone even beyond and become a nation of the ruled? There’s more evidence to support that proposition than there is to refute it.

We’re reminded of this by a set of new rules to live by proposed by the Biden White House. Last month, the Energy Department announced it was taking public comments on efficiency standards for residential air conditioners and pool heaters that are intended to “to help consumers save on their utility bills.”

And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.[/quote]

I've talked about this trend a few times and the left's false flag "saving democracy" blather. Apparent the left's definition of "democracy" is "Democrats rule everything and dictate government functions".

 

[Mycroft]

There are plenty of Republicans going along with what you describe. Fortunately, thanks to Trump and the Republican rank and file, they are being weeded out. It's too bad the Democratic rank and file won't do that, too.

 

[ttwtt78640]

There are plenty of Republicans going along with what you describe. Fortunately, thanks to Trump and the Republican rank and file, they are being weeded out. It's too bad the Democratic rank and file won't do that, too.

I agree with the bolded above, yet not the rest. Anything which was changed (or removed) by federal EO or EA remains a federal power which can just as easily be changed (or expanded) later.

Both political parties seem to accept the idea that once something (anything?) is deemed ‘important’ then the federal government (via acts of congress, rather than constitutional amendment) has the power to regulate, tax, ban, mandate or otherwise control it nationwide.

 

[Dans La Lune]

Wahh, wahhh.... White conservatives are losing power. That's what I hear.

Republicans are a neo-Confederate, anti-science, anti-evidence, anti-women, anti-LGBTQ, pro-corporate, crying-bitches-and-victims-of-the-universe party. That is what you offer voters, and unfortunately, that's what some voters want.

You want the freedom to dominate people who disagree with your garbage policies. That's the extent of your pro-freedom agenda. When it comes to anything outside of that scope, you are an authoritarian on steroids.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate

Utah passes new abortion rules, could mean felony charges for doctors and women

Also headed for GOP Gov. Gary Herbert’s desk is a requirement for abortion clinics to cremate or bury fetal remains.

www.nbcnews.com

In Texas, even possession of a sex toy is regulated

There are some laws you just have to wonder who they were meant to apply to.

www.chron.com

nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon

Bush: Keep Patriot Act

President Bush reiterates his proposal to make parts of the 2002 Patriot Act permanent before they expire next year. The president made his remarks in Buffalo, N.Y., the site of the first successful prosecution under the act. Six Arab-Americans from nearby Lackawanna pled guilty to supporting...

www.npr.org

Republicans propose mass student surveillance plan to prevent shootings | Surveillance | The Guardian

A new Senate bill would give a federally mandated boost to America’s growing school surveillance industry

amp.theguardian.com

They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny.

Republicans tout freedom while chipping away at rights

When Montana Republicans tell you they are fighting for your rights and freedoms, they’re speaking out of both sides of their mouths. While presenting themselves as champions of our rights and liberty, they have been hard at work chipping away at the very rights they pretend to hold so dear.

thewesternnews.com

 

[soylentgreen]

Cannot put all the blame on government when the people themselves have some bizarre attitudes to freedom.

Some americans confuse the word freedom with a weird understanding of individualism. A great little philosophy when defined correctly as a balance between the freedom of the individual and the support of a society. Absolute shit of a philosophy when used by some as a reason to do as they please and if any get hurt because of it then **** them. And that is how some americans view freedom.

 

[nvflash]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.



And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.

I've talked about this trend a few times and the left's false flag "saving democracy" blather. Apparent the left's definition of "democracy" is "Democrats rule everything and dictate government functions".
[/QUOTE]
Socialist authoritarians on one side of me, and fascist authoritarians on the other.🖕

Most people will trade much liberty for a little comfort. Not everyone is a big thinker( you know wise ) on social issues like liberty. It's governments job to regulate things so that they are "reasonably" safe, and to enforce those regulations, but they have to do it in a way that protects liberty.

Too much "nanny State" over the last 100 years or so, government acting like we are all children that need protecting, even from ourselves.

I keep saying this because it rings true, the entire bases of a free society is that of adult informed consent. Anything that doesn't comply with that is anti-liberty, adults don't need nanny State governments keeping them safe for all harm, only reasonably safe for some harms.

 

[Bullseye]

There are plenty of Republicans going along with what you describe. Fortunately, thanks to Trump and the Republican rank and file, they are being weeded out. It's too bad the Democratic rank and file won't do that, too.

IMHO it's a nonpartisan situation. People become politicians and bureaucrats because the have a need to control or dictate. Perhaps sometimes it's an altruistic impulse to solve a problem or fix and injustice; but often I believe it's a desire for power or personal gain.

 

[Bullseye]

Utah passes new abortion rules, could mean felony charges for doctors and women

Also headed for GOP Gov. Gary Herbert’s desk is a requirement for abortion clinics to cremate or bury fetal remains.

www.nbcnews.com

In Texas, even possession of a sex toy is regulated

There are some laws you just have to wonder who they were meant to apply to.

www.chron.com

Bush: Keep Patriot Act

President Bush reiterates his proposal to make parts of the 2002 Patriot Act permanent before they expire next year. The president made his remarks in Buffalo, N.Y., the site of the first successful prosecution under the act. Six Arab-Americans from nearby Lackawanna pled guilty to supporting...

www.npr.org

Republicans propose mass student surveillance plan to prevent shootings | Surveillance | The Guardian

A new Senate bill would give a federally mandated boost to America’s growing school surveillance industry

amp.theguardian.com

Republicans tout freedom while chipping away at rights

When Montana Republicans tell you they are fighting for your rights and freedoms, they’re speaking out of both sides of their mouths. While presenting themselves as champions of our rights and liberty, they have been hard at work chipping away at the very rights they pretend to hold so dear.

thewesternnews.com

Got anything but a list of links?

 

[Lloyd Christmas]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.



And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.

damn, what complete projection bullshit. Republicans banning abortion, don't say gay, banning trans, banning books, not wanting fact tought in school, making it harder to vote and you claim it is Democrats dominating policy? What a ****ing joke, Democrats never have large enough majority to get anything done, Republicans have the courts, off course typical hackish bullhsit of blaming dems. Christ almighty you peoplke don't even try to sound legit

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Got anything but a list of links?

No, I think the links speak for themselves. I'd rather the small government GOP keep their weird little hands off of making inane religious morality based legislation.

The law also labels the sex toy as an "obscene device" and declares it a crime if someone "possesses six or more obscene devices or identical or similar obscene articles is presumed to possess them with intent to promote the same."

This is American. It's my constitutional right to possess as many sex toys as I want, and I don't see how that's the business of the GOP.

 

[Lycanthrope]

No, I think the links speak for themselves. I'd rather the small government GOP keep their weird little hands off of making inane religious morality based legislation.

This is American. It's my constitutional right to possess as many sex toys as I want, and I don't see how that's the business of the GOP.

Who made the determination that possessing five sex toys was ok, but add one more and suddenly it's obvious you're "promoting" them? Does the rule apply to possessing six of anything - if I own six pairs of Nikes am I "promoting" them?

Texas, you're weird.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Who made the determination that possessing five sex toys was ok, but add one more and suddenly it's obvious you're "promoting" them?

Someone who had 5 favorite toys at home and wanted to make sure the law didn't apply to them probably 😜

 

[Crunchtime]

Wahh, wahhh.... White conservatives are losing power. That's what I hear.

Republicans are a neo-Confederate, anti-science, anti-evidence, anti-women, anti-LGBTQ, pro-corporate, crying-bitches-and-victims-of-the-universe party. That is what you offer voters, and unfortunately, that's what some voters want.

You want the freedom to dominate people who disagree with your garbage policies. That's the extent of your pro-freedom agenda. When it comes to anything outside of that scope, you are an authoritarian on steroids.

I see you’re not anti-hogwash. You people think that anyone that disagrees with you and stands up for what’s honest is somehow authoritarian. Your problem is you don’t believe in anything. Your only commitment is to what feels good.

 

[Gatsby]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.



And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.

Nothing so private they cannot regulate, and your example is...efficiency standards for air conditioners? 🤔
Are people really that private about how much energy their AC uses? Is this some cherished personal freedom that people care deeply about?

This seems like an example of a totally standard government regulation to me, hardly a step toward a "repressive regime." What am I missing here?

 

[Integrityrespec]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.



And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.

I've talked about this trend a few times and the left's false flag "saving democracy" blather. Apparent the left's definition of "democracy" is "Democrats rule everything and dictate government functions".
[/QUOTE]
Ahhh, democrats. The Big Tent party, as long as everybody under the tent believes what the party controllers want them to believe all is good. When a democrat doesn't follow the matching orders they are attacked by the left and cancelled by it's minions.

 

[Lloyd Christmas]

this is where hacks get stupid. it's all or none to the simple minded. REgulations are absolutely necessary, and there is example after example of what corporations would do in the name of profit.

And there certainly ridiculous regulations that have negative consequences. You can complain about that without this moronic generic "I'm small government" BS which is hypocritical nonsense. What those people really are saying is only regulations they agree with should be allowed.

There are ridiculous laws, overburdensome regulations. I lived in Illinois as a liberal and I hated that state. to combat history of corruption they put in ridiculous rules that just burden everybody and do nothing for corruption. Hated that state. But its not like red states don't have ridiculous laws and regulations, often targeting minorities.

so if you have particular regulations you think are bad, how about point to them and saying why, as opposed to the moronic talking points about small government, which is just nonsense anyway

Same thing with taxes. Can't have a society without paying for it, so taxes are necessary. But you have the nuts that claim taxation is theft or there should be no taxes. Unrealistic. If you have problems with the amount, and what it pays for, talk about that specifically and not a general stupid comment about taxation being bad.

 

[Gateman_Wen]

There seems to be a continuing theme here on the forum about what's happening to democracy and which party is working harder to destroy it.
I found this piece's theme interesting and accurate - suggesting our continuing slide from democratic society to a permission-based one, and final a repressive society.



And, further:
The Democrats who for now dominate policy making in Washington believe there is nothing so private that they cannot regulate, nothing so personal that it can’t be intruded upon. The only question is the pace of the arrogation of our freedoms. They have to be taken down in increments, so that the country won’t notice the slippery slope toward tyranny. In many cases, often regarding energy and conservation policies, restrictions are even celebrated by the loudest factions to help numb the public to the constant attacks on liberty.

I've talked about this trend a few times and the left's false flag "saving democracy" blather. Apparent the left's definition of "democracy" is "Democrats rule everything and dictate government functions".
[/QUOTE]
Wow, how did you manage to get this all so backwards?

 

[Bullseye]

I've talked about this trend a few times and the left's false flag "saving democracy" blather. Apparent the left's definition of "democracy" is "Democrats rule everything and dictate government functions".

Wow, how did you manage to get this all so backwards?
[/QUOTE]
I didn't. You're just standing on your head. Or do you think "democracy" means controlling every facet of every person's life?

 

[tacomancer]

Stuff that many social conservatives like is falling out of favor with the rest of American culture, that’s not authoritarianism. That’s just cultures evolving over time.

 

[Bullseye]

Nothing so private they cannot regulate, and your example is...efficiency standards for air conditioners? 🤔
Are people really that private about how much energy their AC uses? Is this some cherished personal freedom that people care deeply about?

This seems like an example of a totally standard government regulation to me, hardly a step toward a "repressive regime." What am I missing here?

Quite a lot, actually. The proliferation of "totally standard government regulations" is the problem.

 

[Gatsby]

Quite a lot, actually. The proliferation of "totally standard government regulations" is the problem.

I thought you were at least going to cite something outrageous to make your case. I, like most people, really doubt that more energy-efficient air conditioners are going to lead to secret police throwing people in gulags.

 

[Gateman_Wen]

I didn't. You're just standing on your head. Or do you think "democracy" means controlling every facet of every person's life?

Lol. That's not who's trying to control your life.

 

[Bullseye]

Lol. That's not who's trying to control your life.

Yeah, it is. I live in California with a Democratic governor and super majority Dems in both houses. We've have Dems controlling both fed houses for over two years and a Dem President for 1 1/2. Can you name a single freedom, even if it's jus EASING restricts a bit? Mask mandates don't count because there were none until THEY imposed them. We have 535 Congress members working almost full time writing new laws at the federal level and more doing it at the state level. Of all those laws I'd venture less than 10% address a problem or situation that really needs addressing. Most are just entertaining the politicians whims, wet dreams, "gee wouldn't it be nice if . . ." brain farts.
Here in California a Dem just introduced a bill to require a 32 hr work week, with overtime after that. Sounds great except it just added 20% to the companies labor costs. But to the politicians in Sacramento, who have never run a business or had to meet a payroll (or forgot what's it like) it sounds like a great idea so it should make a great law.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Utah passes new abortion rules, could mean felony charges for doctors and women

Also headed for GOP Gov. Gary Herbert’s desk is a requirement for abortion clinics to cremate or bury fetal remains.

www.nbcnews.com

In Texas, even possession of a sex toy is regulated

There are some laws you just have to wonder who they were meant to apply to.

www.chron.com

Bush: Keep Patriot Act

President Bush reiterates his proposal to make parts of the 2002 Patriot Act permanent before they expire next year. The president made his remarks in Buffalo, N.Y., the site of the first successful prosecution under the act. Six Arab-Americans from nearby Lackawanna pled guilty to supporting...

www.npr.org

Republicans propose mass student surveillance plan to prevent shootings | Surveillance | The Guardian

A new Senate bill would give a federally mandated boost to America’s growing school surveillance industry

amp.theguardian.com

Republicans tout freedom while chipping away at rights

When Montana Republicans tell you they are fighting for your rights and freedoms, they’re speaking out of both sides of their mouths. While presenting themselves as champions of our rights and liberty, they have been hard at work chipping away at the very rights they pretend to hold so dear.

thewesternnews.com

I’m sorry six dildos is not enough for the average democrat in Texas