Monday, April 4, 2016

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes - Who guards the people from the "guardian" governmental officials?

So begins a review by Joseph C. Sternberg of a new book, "Conspiracies of the Ruling Class: How to Break Their Grip Forever" by Lawrence B. Lindsey, which explores the themes of the relationship between the public interest, the powers of governmental officials and the nature of the United States political structure. I have not read the book yet, but various reviews and excerpts are interesting in light of the ongoing issues raised by previous blogs posts on the topic of  Quis custodiet ipsos custodes - Who guards the people from the "guardian" governmental officials? This question is especially important in that it seems to be a major issue in the current political contests in both parties, and on various levels of government. It also seems to be relevant not just to the US but throughout various nations, including in Europe, in the Middle East, in South America and elsewhere. And what is Dharma practice, our own practice, in the midst of these ongoing changes?
The review continues, 

"In “Conspiracies of the Ruling Class,” Lawrence B. Lindsey suggests that we’re angry because of how badly we’re governed. America has fallen captive to a “Ruling Class” (his capitalization throughout the book) concerned more with its own power than with the welfare of the country. This will be a familiar story to anyone who has studied the history of progressivism and how over the past 120 years or so it has subverted the Founders’ promise of individual liberty with promises of free stuff."

Lindsey argues that  “that government is taking more and more—more resources, more freedom, and more power—and has strayed from how it can best serve them. Public services are misplaced and ineffective. The country is in retreat in the world arena. Those in power seem to see government as a vehicle for themselves: an opportunity to make a personal mark in history.”

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-free-stuff-majority-1459464473