The Dynamics Of The Desperate

Looking at the election results today, one has to wonder why the Berlin area bucked the Romney trend and went for Ron Paul. I believe that Ron Paul is probably the most radical of all the candidates and in those numbers I include Barack Obama. So why did North Country voters pick the most radical candidate? I’ll take a wild guess at that question by suggesting that our North Country conditions are more desperate than in the rest of the state maybe in the country and that the hard economic times have been with us for a longer period of time. If I’m right in concluding that Ron Paul has the most radical position on issues, it makes sense to me that the people of Berlin are prepared to take the “medicine” and ignore that it might leave a bad taste in the mouth. I believe that it demonstrates that desperate people are more than willing to consider desperate actions if they believe that in the long run it will be in their best interest. If my theory is correct and if Washington continues to be occupied by those who support the best interest of the 1% and not the majority of Americans, then we better brace ourselves for some dramatic shifts in our politics and those who may become our leaders in the future. I don’t believe that this is a condition reflecting the usual Republican or Democratic political debate; this is a socioeconomic backlash that is triggered as a response by people who are becoming desperate and frightened. History is riddled with examples of what happens when a society becomes unstable by socioeconomic conditions that most people find unacceptable. The fact that most of us alive today have never been “without” almost anything we wanted or needed makes us even more vulnerable to what I call “the dynamics of the desperate”. We’ve been the privileged generation with our bellies always full and our garages and living rooms full of the latest toys. We raised the bar to our standard of living to what may be an unsustainable level and I fear that we may not have the discipline or the wisdom to make the right decisions when it comes to our leaders and our collective priorities. I see Ron Paul’s strength as a sign that the fabric of the country is unraveling and he may just be the canary in the coal mine. Those in power better take notice of the mood of the average citizen and the clear message that Ron Paul is preaching. Again let me say that history is full of examples of societies who become disillusioned by their lot and turn to political leaders that make Ron Paul look like a naïve adolescent.

Comments

[jonathan edwards]

That's pretty good Antonio.

I wonder if "team berlin" will endorse the project now that da mayah has shown his colors. Though it may not be the PUC's job to mandate PSNH's survival, I'm sure the PUC realizes that PSNH has already dug a hole for themselves by obtaining so many pardons in the past. Whether you are for or against Northern Pass I'm sure the folks at the PUC are moving forward with the premise that Northern Pass needs to be inevitable in order to bring the PUC out of the hole they've helped to create and to restore sanity within the utility sector. In other words...restore sanity to PSNH by way of a Canadian company.

The mayah must know the "power" behind that project is formidable enough to make it a winning project or he wouldn't throw his support behind it so publicly. Otherwise, like lowering our hockey team to division three, he would be, in his own words, "dumbing down" if he were to support those in opposition to Northern Pass publicly, and risk his political career as a winner.

I'd like to think Balsams' decision to take the "high" road offer instead of PSNH's would queer the whole deal for Northern Pass, but I've grown to learn these snake oil salesmen make Bartoszek look like Mother Theresa, and there's too much money at play and to be lost.

[warren,]

Tony, I remember watching "Laugh In" with My Parents when I was a boy, living out in Seattle! I think My Dad still has the Record, "Laugh In '69" somewhere, along with "Welcome to the LBJ Ranch" - which is rare, because I've never seen another copy of it. Just copies of "The First Family". The LBJ Ranch Cover had a Chess Game going with National Political Figures as the Pieces. I agree with Rocky that Nixon was "The Man" to actually come on the Show and say "Sock it to Me!"...Funny!

So Shall We Run those Beautiful Towers Right past the Biomass Plant and through PSNH Park???......Count Me IN!!!

[Rocky]

As I read your poem AA, it occurred to me why Paul Grenier supports projects that are not in the long term best interest of the City or the region. Basically and fundamentally, it's ignorance and a lack of self respect. He, as many of us who grew up in the dirty air and shadows of the pulp mill, have no reverence for the beauty of "our place". In our minds our place/City/County doesn't deserve recognition or respect. Deep in our subconscious we don't perceive this area as a sacred place, it's a stinking hole that can be desecrated without even a second thought, be it by a biomass plant in the middle of town or transmission towers through the valleys. If Mr. Grenier recognized the value in the beauty of the region and, in that beauty the potential value in preserving and developing these assets wisely, he would behave very differently. He's a very clever politician that could accomplish great things if he could only remove the dirty stinky East Side air from his eyes and mind.

[Rocky]

I have a question for those of you who keep up with developing news stories. Why is the Pentagon, the media and many others so upset at our Marines for urinating on the bodies of people they just killed? Isn't the greatest/ultimate affront the act of "killing"?

[warren,]

Interesting Question, Rocky. Sun Tzu aside, according to whom War is Best Won without any, or with minimal Human Casualities, As in the Game of Chess where Check Mate is the Primary Object of the Game. I would have to go with Patton's view that the Object of War is to make the other poor bastard die for HIS Country. You seem to be on a Soggy Tangent as to the ( ultimate affront the act of "killing"? ) War is something that should be avoided if Possible. But when faced with an Enemy that will not see reason, and wants to Kill You and Your Way of Life, then War should be WON as Quickly and Efficiently as Possible in the Total Absence of Non Military Media who Turn up on a Battlefield with a "Walt Disney-ized" Mindset of Right and Wrong in a Situation where Instincts, not Conscience Keeps a Soldier alive. Desecrating the Dead is a Waste of Time, and Accomplishes nothing..... Unless, perhaps if done as Pershing did in the Phillipine's. I'll get back to You on that. But I'll answer Your Question with "Why are We not Told more about the Vile Treatment of Women and Children under Islamic Law?"

[warren,]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDHvmCVRxU&feature=related ???

[Jon Edwards]

A true classic, Warren. Thanks for the link.

[Ron Paul 2012]

Who is the 'Puppet master'?

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1389864594001/

[warren,]

Perhaps PSNH erred only in wanting a Route on the Wrong Side of New Hampshire? Given the Fact that Berlin Mayor, Paul Grenier is a Talented Politician, Let's hope He can bring His considerable Influence to bear in Making the Northern Pass a Truly Better Project. Paul is on to something when He suggests a Berlin ( and Gorham! ) route. We Desperately need the Tax Revenue that this worthy project will bring...AND...We, ie Berlin are a LOT Cheaper and Easier to Buy/Afford than the High Priced NIMBY's over in Vermonts direction. No one in Berlin/Gorham could give a Rats Behind about the "Beauty of the Views"...This is Proven FACT. Hey PSNH? - Come On Down!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y8EtA4tiPc

Heck, You already Own Land here.....

[Antonio Andolini]

Well Warren, if you are serious, this is yet more Dynamics of the Desperate. Do your research; the "Desperately" needed "Tax Revenue" may not be all that is promised. Except for a possible boost to Franklin for a newly-constructed station (on formerly commercial, campground property), most communities are realizing that high-tension power lines do not add to property values. Then, if they qualify as pollution control devices or renewable energy generators, say hello to my little friend, tax exemptions. Fuhgedaboudit!
Da Mayh and Team Berlin are prostrating themselves at the feet of PSNH (once again.)

[Antonio Andolini]

Amen, Judge Napolitano, amen!

[wood burner]

This was decided YEARS ago this was going to go through NO one will stop it. This goes back at least 15 years. Northern pass is a done deal!!! There will be some bumps as was with the Biomass plant.But the washington folks made up there mind years ago.One way or the other it's a DONE deal!!!! BET ON IT!!!!!