On Christianity as a Criminal Enterprise (Part 1)
Were there but a modicum of mercy to be found in our modern world, I would not need to address politics in the United States. The topic is (supposed to be) narrow, specific to citizens of one country. But mercy has been bought out; mercilessness, instead, monopolizes the wider corporate sentiment, and thus mercy was gutted and flayed on the “Free Market” as they call it. “Mercy” has gone the way of the typewriter.
So since there is no patch of dirt on this sphere safe from the machinations of American leadership, we do not have the luxury of considering, well, anything outside of the threatening influence of the White House (and the oligarchs that wield it).
The Way of Things, as they Were
The average American happily trumpets their most sacred of rights - the cornerstone of that good ol’ American exceptionalism - the First Amendment to the Constitution. It reads verbatim:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/
For those who did not grow up in the U.S., the general picture was this:
- There are two (2) political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Prospective candidates from other parties are technically allowed to run, but the political machine runs on money – and money only flows for these two parties. You see, when the choices are narrowed to two, those who hold real power (i.e. those who pay for the campaigns) can ensure they always win. Voters decide between one option, and its controlled, paid opposition.
- If you caricaturized them, the Democrats (blue) would be young, diverse of religious and ethnic background, educated, and living in urban city centers. The Republicans (red) would be older, predominantly white and Christian, less educated, and living in more rural environments.
- For decades, the Republican Party (the “conservatives”) have leaned heavily on rhetoric that promotes a tribalistic mentality. They painted their opponents as being “anti-American,” “anti-Christian,” or actively racist against white people. What they lacked in policy-making, they made up for in riling up the general public against perceived “others” who did not fit the mold of a traditional 1950’s white, Christian family. When they do pass legislation, it is typically to empower corporations by easing regulations or introducing new tax breaks. They swear “fiscal conservatism” and fealty to a lower national debt, but the only way they know to cut costs is to cut social safety nets, leaving the most vulnerable, well, even more vulnerable.
- The Democratic Party (the “liberals” or “progressives”), on the other hand, have promoted social equity (albeit at a slow drip of a pace) and pushed for tolerance and respect across lines of division. They work to enact legislation that favors protection of individuals and their rights. They invest in public services and social safety nets, and occasionally play with the idea of thinking about the possibility of slightly lowering a niche tax break for corporations or the ultra-wealthy.
In a semi-normal time in America (think pre-2016), there would be a natural push and pull between the two parties. Both sides would promise the world on the campaign trail, and then bless us with absolutely none of that when they got into office. Conservatives would peddle racist conspiracy theories. Tone-deaf liberals would behave as if misunderstanding someone’s gender was akin to murder, but worse.
It was all very annoying, and public political discourse never delved more deeply than the most surface-level of topics. We knew things were not great, and that nothing ever seemed to change too much (for good or bad), regardless of who held the most power. But it felt somewhat sustainable.
We did not know that while we shot condemning glares to politically-opposed family over the Thanksgiving table, the worst people alive were playing the long game.
The Way of Things, as they Are
2020 could only have been a blessing to the oligarchy (or the “Epstein class,” if you prefer). This was a time when warp-speed globalization had humankind scrambling to keep up, learning to undo our own evolutionary instincts to acclimate to a commerce-based society where the only constant is change.
Life already felt like it was missing something… crucial. Something essential and fundamental and necessary. Do you feel a pain somewhere undefinable, when you look at a 3,000 year-old piece of art from the Olmec civilization and realize you will never have time to create such a thing?
That missing piece? Well I don’t know, I don’t have all the answers. But I believe it is related to a sense of fulfillment; a sense that you know and understand and accept your place in the world; a sense of contentment and stability; or a sense of autonomy that reminds you this life is your own, and you choose how you want to live it (within the constraints of your time and place). In all likelihood, it is a combination of most or all of these.
But into this global state of discontentment, a pandemic entered. Flatten the curve and slow the spread. Stand 6 feet apart. Do not hug Grandma. Final words delivered over FaceTime. Drum beats echo upward from city streets, so clap and sing how “we love our healthcare workers!” The morgue overflows. The refrigerated truck overflows. Bodybags filled and left to rot on the pavement. Some bags were filled with healthcare workers, nurses and doctors who’d been fine only days prior. Zip your coworker into the bag and move on – the next patient is waiting.
In the dark and confined to our homes, we perfected the art of doomscrolling. Millions discovered depression. Loneliness was never so lonely as it was in 2020. Living alone, for many, meant months alone. Did you pack on your “quarantine fifteen?”
Isolated, afraid and alone; vulnerability presents opportunity. Public perception is a purchasable commodity if you but hold enough capital.
They held enough capital.
Anthony Fauci had one of the most illustrious resumes and reputations in the world, with a lifetime spent in healthcare and immunology research, and directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years.
President Donald Trump promoted and then routinely undermined Fauci in his role as advisor and COVID task force head. Vaccination by ultraviolet light. Inject bleach to kill the virus. You wouldn’t have so many cases, if you just stopped testing for it.
Lies and manure poured from the Oompa Loompa’s slobbering hole. But where should have been ridicule and widespread dismissal, the absurdity appeared to stick. Social media feeds and engagement algorithms gave his words power. In place of facts, they offered “alternative” facts. Answers were replaced with more questions. Voices of reason were drowned with conspiracy theories; charisma superseded credibility; and an imbecile’s opinion was worth double an expert’s logic.
Covid may have impacted brain tissue, but the murder of reasonable thought was not a viral symptom. It was a return on investment.