Tracker Pixel for Entry

A brief thought experiment

Last Word | March 14th, 2018

By Gary Olson
olsong@moravian.edu

Recently, I’ve tried to make the case that only presidential aspirants who are vetted by and acceptable to the oligarchic elite, deep state, plutocracy or whatever nomenclature you prefer, have any chance of reaching the Oval Office.

Further, as the chief administrative officer for the bourgeoisie, they often implement policies characteristic of a psychopath and do not feel guilty about it. Harsh as it sounds, as political analysis Michael Hago observes, in their private lives “elites may choose to be the nicest people on earth but in their institutional roles as owners, executives and managers, they are necessarily monsters, since there is an institutional need for them to become monsters.”

But as a potentially useful thought experiment, let’s consider the following hypothetical situation. Let’s imagine that all the efforts of the DNC and various investor blocs had failed to sabotage Bernie Sanders’ run for the Democratic nomination in 2016. Further, and not implausibly, he went on to vanquish Trump in the general election. On November 8, 2016, a moderate social democrat (not a democratic socialist) wins the presidency. What happens on November 9th?

In 2015, the highly regarded political scientists William Grover and Joseph Peschek offered a plausible scenario of what might occur: First, global financial markets fell sharply and a “capital strike” loomed with all the national fear and anxiety that implies. Second, Sanders was under tremendous pressure to only consider cabinet appointments who would assuage Wall Street and calm fears of the market. Further, Sanders knows that only those acceptable to the real power structure would be confirmed by the Senate and none would support his proposals.

Sanders would be, what the authors term the “prisoner-elect,” a captive of the very system he promised to change. For more insights from Grover and Peskshek, see “The Unsustainable Presidency” (NY: Palgrave, 2014).

In this scenario there would be almost inconceivable tension between the “popular, working class” voters who put Sanders in office and the “economic and military forces trying to tame any potential Bernie beast.” And remember, this winning candidate wasn’t a radical, supported the U.S. empire and Israel, and rarely talked about class, capitalism, Israel or the U.S. empire. And yet he was seen as a threat. Well, what might follow?

The authors don’t suggest it but since we’re really fantasizing here, let’s say that Sanders goes on prime time television and candidly explains what’s happening and the reasons for it. It would be the most important “teaching moment” in U.S. history. It would also require enormous courage, as it would put President-elect Sanders in extreme personal peril. At that point, the only way around this nullification of democracy would be if if millions of now politically conscious citizens took to the streets and demanded the reforms be enacted.

I mention all this only to put things in perspective. The system is totally broken. We inhabit a failed state and a degraded culture. Changing a few faces and making some cosmetic reforms haven’t done it in the past. They won’t do it now. A different world is possible but we need to jettison magical thinking about what and who we’re up against.

[Editor’s note: Gary Olson is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. Contact: olsong@moravian,edu]

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…

By HPR Staff We’re all a part of building strong, healthy and inclusive communities. But the region’s non-profit organizations do a lot of the heavy lifting. Now it’s time for these organizations to step into the spotlight.…

February 28- March 2Ramada Hotel & Convention Center, 3333 13th Avenue. S, FargoLove comics? Fargo-Moorhead Comic-Con is calling fans of all ages because this is your gateway to all things pertaining to comic fandom. Check out…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com 2025 marks us halfway through the roaring 2020s. Boy, am I glad I didn’t bob my hair for this go-around. It feels like we’re off to the wrong roar, opening Pandora’s box of what-the-Fox…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comHomo Sapiens are now old enough to know betterAccording to fossil experts — so far, Homo sapiens have been around for about 300,000 years, evolving slowly from a few other Homos, until most of the…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com As a food enthusiast, there’s nothing better than attending a local event featuring hotdish. And as far as hotdish events go, no place does it better than the fine folks at Brewhalla and Drekker…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Lizzie Allan The silver anniversary of the annual Fargo Film Festival will take place from March 18 to 22 at the Fargo Theatre. From its beginnings a quarter of a century ago, the showcase of cinematic talent across multiple…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Everyone has heard the adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” However, it is safe to say there are far more than a thousand in Mickey Smith’s photographs. When one hears…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On Dec 5, the Turning Point USA chapter at North Dakota State University hosted an event called BisonFest. This event featured Chloe Cole, a former trans kid, known for detransitioning and…

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com Some days I just sit out by Bad Medicine Lake in the no internet zone. (Well at least last time I checked, there were no bars on those roads towards Rice Lake in the back country.) That’s…