A Nod To The Gods

Nearly 2,400 years ago, Aristotle wrote one of the defining works of political philosophy in a book entitled Politics.

It’s still incredibly relevant today, particularly what he writes about tyranny.

The ancient Greeks used the word ‘turannos’, which referred to an illegitimate ruler who governs without regard for the law or interests of the people, often through violent and coercive means.

Aristotle attacks tyrants mercilessly in his book, and clearly spells out the criteria which make a leader tyrannical. You may recognize a few of them:

1. Artistotle suggests that a tyrant rises to power by first demonstrating that he is a man of the people:

   “He ought to show himself to his subjects in the light, not of a tyrant, but of a steward and a king.”

   and

   “He should be moderate, not extravagant in his way of life; he should win the notables by companionship, and the multitude by flattery.”

2. But once in power, a tyrant uses all available means to hold on to power, including spying on his people:

   “A tyrant should also endeavor to know what each of his subjects says or does, and should employ spies . . . and . . . eavesdroppers . . . [T]he fear of informers prevents people from speaking their minds, and if they do, they are more easily found out.”

3. Furthermore, Aristotle tells us that a tyrant thrives by creating division and conflict– “to sow quarrels among the citizens; friends should be embroiled with friends, the people with the notables [the rich]. . .”
4. Controlling the economy and stealing the citizens’ wealth is also another mark of a tyrant:

   “Another practice of tyrants is to multiply taxes. . . [and] impoverish his subjects; he thus provides against the maintenance of a guard by the citizen and the people, having to keep hard at work, are prevented from conspiring.”

5. And as Aristotle points out, a tyrant also attempts to disarm the people such that “his subjects shall be incapable of action” because “they will not attempt to overthrow a tyranny, if they are powerless.”
6. Naturally, a tyrant “is also fond of making war in order that his subjects may have something to do and be always in want of a leader.”
7. Aristotle also tells us that tyrants hunt down those who oppose their power:

   “It is characteristic of a tyrant to dislike everyone who has dignity or independence; he wants to be alone in his glory, but anyone who claims a like dignity or asserts his independence encroaches upon his perogative, and is hated by him as an enemy to his power.”

8. Ultimately, though, Aristotle concludes that “No freeman, if he can escape from [tyranny], will endure such a government.”

These guys are arrested for exercising their 1st amendment rights.

These guys are given a police escort doing the same thing. Double standard me thinks.

This is hilarious, but still won’t change anything. If Obamacare is fully implemented, Obama wins, if it is eliminated, Obama will be found to be the idiot we all have grown accustomed to. He and his progressive posse will not allow the ACA to be repealed, because it would destroy the Kings ego and show that every liberal who pushed for the law lied through their collective teeth.
Even with a number of unions and businesses attacking the new law the MSM remains fully intent on swinging off Obama jock strap. Sad. 

The Nevada AFL-CIO unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday condemning the Affordable Care Act, known to its critics as Obamacare.

“The unintended consequences of the ACA [Affordable Care Act] will lead to the destruction of the 40 hour work week, higher taxes and force union members onto more costly plans,” said the resolution.

The union resolution passed unanimously hours after an address from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). The Las Vegas Sun says Reid did not discuss Obamacare in his remarks but has previously blasted some union leaders for “exaggerating” the damage Obamacare will do to union workers and told one union leader, D. Taylor of UNITE Here, to “just calm down and stop frightening people.”

So far, though, union leaders are not backing down. 

“We were told that if you liked the health insurance you had, then it would be left alone,” Nevada AFL-CIO chief Danny Thompson told the Sun. “Well, it hasn’t been left alone.”

Attacks on voter ID laws, climate change diatribes, racial tension claims, Obamacare navigators, another bus tour, and a new puppy seem to be in the headlines lately.
My question, what about Benghazi, IRS, Fast & Furious, NSA? Once again don’t look behind the curtain, nothing to see here, focus on the BS we can toss out there to keep republicans heads spinning.

Pick a scandal…any scandal….one at a time and bring some charges against someone. 2 years since the ATF gun walking fiasco, 1 year since Benghazi, 6 months since we heard about the NSA and IRS scandals. Has anyone been brought to justice? Anybody been fired, sent to jail, or at least given a harsh reprimand. NO. Nothing, Nada.

Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment for the Watergate scandal where no one died but it was assumed he could not be trusted. I don’t assume that Obama can’t be trusted, I know it for a fact, and if I know it why can’t we do anything about it? Someone is dropping the ball. 2014 mid-terms and the 2016 general elections would be great if the GOP won convincing victories, but in my humble opinion, that is to late. How come this administration gets a pass for their part in all of these scandals? If Obama walks away from all of this unscathed, he will be put up on a pedestal just like they did with Bill Clinton and he will NEVER go away.

Obamacare is the perfect name for it because “Affordable Care Act” is an oxymoron, it’s not making health care more affordable, it’s driving up costs.  Once again Obama, using all of his knowledge and wisdom gleaned from his vast experience as a community organizer, has destroyed a flawed but workable health care system. His name should be all over this monstrosity along with the other libs in Washington who shoved it down our throats.

Sad thing is, congress and theirs staffs have exempted themselves from it, how convenient. Maybe they should ask a UPS or Forever 21 employee what they think of the new law. Oh, that’s right, they don’t care, does not effect them.

UPS is dropping spouses insurance coverage due to Obamacare.

Rising medical costs, “combined with the costs associated with the Affordable Care Act, have made it increasingly difficult to continue providing the same level of health care benefits to our employees at an affordable cost,” UPS said in a memo to employees. According to Kaiser, UPS told white-collar workers two months ago that 15,000 working spouses eligible for coverage by their own employers would be excluded from the UPS plan in 2014.

* Congress, staff, to keep federal health premium payments

* Ruling aimed at avoiding “brain drain” on Capitol Hill (Adds comments from Republicans, Pelosi, edits)

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) – Congress has won some partial relief for lawmakers and their staffs from the “Obamacare” health reforms that it passed and subjected itself to three years ago.

In a ruling issued on Wednesday, U.S. lawmakers and their staffs will continue to receive a federal contribution toward the health insurance that they must purchase through soon-to-open exchanges created by President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

The decision by the Office of Personnel Management, with Obama’s blessing, will prevent the largely unintended loss of healthcare benefits for 535 members of the Senate and House of Representatives and thousands of Capitol Hill staff.

When Congress passed the health reform law known as Obamacare in 2010, an amendment required that lawmakers and their staff members purchase health insurance through the online exchanges that the law created. They would lose generous coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

 

Any Questions??