Do you think there is a parallel system of governement at work in

[Veggie Meathead]

the United States that bypasses the authority of our elected representatives? And may, in fact, control them ?I posted this after yesterday's thread on Danny Casolaro appeared at DU.Danny's accidental discovery of just such a system led to his death.We have many more instances of this extra legal government's power in our country.Feel free to discuss your thoughts on this matter.

[Swamp Rat]

1. Yes. It's all a part of the alien lizard invasion.

[rman]

2. yes there is, according to Senator William Jenner

"Today the path to total dictatorship in the United States can be laid by strictly legal means, unseen and unheard by Congress, the US President, or the people. Outwardly we have a Constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system, another body representing another form of government, a bureacratic elite which believes our Constitution is outmoded and is sure that it is the winning side. All the strange developments in foreign policy agreements may be traced to this group who are going to make us over to suit their pleasure. This political action group has its own local political support organizations, its own pressure groups, its own vested interests, its foothold within our government, and its own propaganda apparatus."
- Senator William Jenner, 1954

"constitution outmoded", "strange developments in foreign policy agreements", anyone?

[mrbill]

3. there has been a 'parallel' government since november 1963........

the bushco clan got in on the ground floor.

[salvorhardin]

4. Not really a parallel system of government

I'd say a organized system of disruptors seeking to subvert and usurp the government for their own purposes. In the past they've been effectively thrwarted despite having gotten in some big attacks (JFK assassination, et. al.). There have always been disruptors in positions of power but they haven't had the critical mass they needed.

I believe that they have worked very hard for the past 40 years to grow their power by pandering to the fanatic religious right, bigots, homophobes, neocons, and all the other groups that have been marginalized over the years as the majority of the nation has sought to progress towards the idealized version of America that we learn about in grammar school history class. They have worked very hard over the past 40 years to poison the information flow in this country to further their agenda. Those plans came to fruition in 2000 when Bush 2 was selected.

However, as we've seen in just the last three and a half years, I also believe that they are inherently inept. Nothing they do works the way it is supposed to, and this is for one very important reason -- they are neither the builders, the inventors or the dreamers. They abhor knowledge and work. They are like vampires who can only suck the life out of those they seek to control.

That's why I am hopeful. They can not create, only destroy. So while they have the power right now, I truly believe we can drive them out.

[Veggie Meathead]

6. I am glad to hear your optimistic voice based on a reasonable

assumption.It seems like the phrase "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty" may not be an empty one.

[GliderGuider]

5. Take a look at the writings of P. D Scott

His book "Deep Politics and the Death of JFK" is a good place to start. He lays out in very thorough terms the covert confluence of corporate power, organized crime, the intelligence communities and "regular" politics. Once you add in fundamentalist religion, the picture he paints is not a happy one for the continuation of democracy in your country.

The current situation may be a bit anomalous, because they've let the mask slip a bit. People have started to notice the man behind the curtains. OTOH, they may have decided the time was right to make some overt moves. Given the fact that the presidential race is still evenly split in the face of all the leakage, they may have calculated correctly.

I greatly fear for your nation. Given our close ties, I fear for my own as well.