Mr. D’Souza’s Excellent Book Reveals
One “Big” Lie While Hiding Another – Bias
I thoroughly enjoyed most of The Big Lie by Mr. Dinesh D’Souza as he uses history to clarify the positions of the Democratic Party of the 19th century and how they developed into Progressivism and then Fascism in the 20th century. I explored these issues in my last post, Lies of the Political Spectrum.
However, Mr. D’Souza only tells half the story by failing to detail the responsibility of the Republican Party of the 19th century in the creation of the American juggernaut state of today. This is bias; welcome to human discussions where bias is always present.
I have demonstrated in several posts the impossibility of free will. Simple logic confirms this. One is either a slave to sin for a slave to Christ but there is no position where one is free and God is as much a slave to His character as we are to our own. By the same token, one is always captive to one’s worldview; the sum of one’s values and truths by which each person determines truth. From our biased worldview perspective each of us is the hero of our own story and the definer of “absolute” truth.
The hue and cry for unbiased news is naive and dangerous. Reporters of the early to mid 20th century were neither unbiased nor objective in their reporting. They appeared to be unbiased because theAmerica agreed with their biases; especially during World War II. When people demand unbiased news they demand news from only their perspective and that everyone agree with them. This is the very claim today’s Conservatives have leveled against the Progressives yet they agitate for the same power. This is the point of, The Big Lie.
Hmm, what did he leave out of his historical narrative? He ignored or glorified President Lincoln’s Civil War motives and goals {even the title reveals the bias toward the Union}. President Lincoln was basically a corporate railroad lawyer with political ambitions. He agreed with the principles of the old “Henry Clay-Tariff Whig” party which became the Republican party (Lincoln’s Tariff War. Mises Institute.). “Lincoln’s economic guru, Henry C. Carey, was quite prescient when he wrote to Congressman Justin S. Morrill in mid-1860 that ‘Nothing less than a dictator is required for making a really good tariff {Emphasis mine}’ (p. 614. Abraham Lincoln and the Tariff)” (ibid.). Lincoln, and the Republican Party, clung to Daniel Webster’s oratory declaration that the people created the Union by ratifying the Constitution, not the States (Conflict and Compromise: The Nullification Crisis. Aleph. UCLA Undergraduate Research Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences.).
Thus, President Lincoln redefined the nature of the “Union”, fought a war on that concept and enshrined it into law by victory and legislation. He propagandized this concept in what has become known as, The Gettysburg Address, which every school child had to memorize when I was in school, as well as recite the Pledge of Allegiance {to national socialism} (The Government We Deserve). The Civil War forced the concept of strong central federal government with laws that supersede that state laws. Therefore, states are no longer sovereign but subservient to this overarching federal government. Government financing was mainly by tariffs until the passage of the 16th Amendment (Income Tax). The Republican Party’s strong federal government made Progressivism a reality. It began with President Roosevelt (Republican) but was co-opted by the Democrats since their political machines dominated the major cities of important power states, even today. Hence, many of the charges brought against the Democratic Party such as reinterpreting the Constitution began with the Whig/Republican Party! President Lincoln was not going to fight a war over slavery but he used the issue to further his cause of creating a strong overarching federal government that would never be challenged by sovereign states again. I believe that President Wilson took this example, redesigned it on an international scale and sold it as The League of Nations. This morphed into the United Nations after World War II and has never wavered in its goal to create a sovereign overarching international ruling government over sovereign nations. This is the Republican Party history which Mr. D’Souza overlooks in his book.
Mr. D’Souza would have us view the Republican Party as the savior of the American Republic when it was the very machine that destroyed the Republic. The Republican Party kept power because of their military victory and their marriage with crony capitalism which President Roosevelt strengthened with the creation of federal agencies that punished those businesses that became too large (The Myth of the Robber Barons.). However, the Democratic Party was able to successfully transition the government to a democracy {rule by the populace or tyranny of the majority} through the largess of the federal government that continues today {Welfare state}. The Republican Party no more represents limited government than the Democratic Party as based on their history. In addition, Mr. D’Souza would have the people copy the disruptive Antifa methodologies to promote a correct agenda, since it has been successful in promoting the incorrect Democratic agenda. This pragmatism is the the end justifying the means or two wrongs make a right!
So, why discuss this in a Christian post about discernment? Since the 1970s the Republican Party has sought to mobilize the Christian Right to legitimize their position. Unfortunately, many who place themselves under the banner of Conservative Christianity supported the Republican Party campaigns for limited government, but all the while expanded government power at every opportunity {one reason why Congress cannot repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)}. Also, Christian churches have become agents of the government by incorporating and registering for tax exempt status. If the government demands that they preach its gospel they will be force to comply or shut down as Houston’s mayor sought to accomplish (The Truth About Church Incorporation. Houston City Government Demands Pastors Turn Over Sermons Referencing Homosexuality, Mayor.).
Churches in America are becoming state organs and compensated by being tax exempt. But as the power of the government grows it brings all under its sway or removes them, as demonstrated by President (Teddy) Roosevelt’s anti-trust activities. The government cannot tolerate powerful agencies challenging its definition of right and wrong, which Christianity must do when it violates Scripture (Ac 4:18-20). While the Democratic Party would do away with every vestige of Christendom the Republican Party would use Christendom. Christians must avoid government entanglements that would or could influence the teaching of the gospel. Like Scrooge (Christmas Carol) you may say you see no government entanglements that threaten to limit gospel teaching; but, you will see them when it is too late to avoid being ensnared! The only kingdom Christians are to promote is the Kingdom of Christ which is not of this world (Jo 18:33-38). Those who engage the government in a discussion of truth will become slaves to the government. Christ refused to debate Pilate about truth. We cannot change government as it is an agent of Lucifer who has no truth (Jo 8:44). He sends traditions, family and friends to sway us from God’s Gospel. Thus, Christ muses for our benefit, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth” (Lk 18:6-8)? Each of us answers this question everyday when choosing either to live the Gospel or placate family, friends or government because it is easier, and safer. Will He find faith in you? In me?