If there were ever an argument for why decisions are so far off the moral and ethical target, and that supports the statement that America has no moral compass, this title says it in five words.
These five words explain every unconstitutional, unethical, and immoral decision in our republic. These five words mask any implication of impropriety because, from a particular perspective, it’s for the greater good, the good of the republic, because… “The End Justifies the Means!“
When the exception becomes the rule, there is no need for reason. When everything becomes an excuse, there are no more pretexts. When a republic rationalizes everything as critical to its existence, it eventually fails, and there is no need for morality.
America is that republic.
Look around, folks; where are we right now, this very moment in our republic’s history?
Are we the envy of every nation, or a footnote in the litany of failed countries, merely a fading memory of our glorious past?
A Central American leader remarked that America had become the Banana Republic we revile.
Why can’t we see it?
Nicolo Machiavelli ~ “The End Justifies the Means.”
I cite Niccolò Machiavelli’s phrase frequently; It intends that the desired result is so good, crucial, or critical that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it. The end justifies the means is a paraphrase of Niccolò Machiavelli. It means that if a goal is morally important enough, any method of getting it is acceptable. His actual theory is: “Almost any action or behavior is perfectly acceptable as long as it results in the desired outcome.” “The idea is ancient but not intended to justify unnecessary cruelty.” It was part of a political philosophy called consequentialism.
Unfortunately, men tend to misinterpret things, twisting them to their advantage. Machiavelli’s quote is one more in a long list of quotations taken out of context and used to rationalize bad behavior.
It’s become the cherished justification of third-world conspirators worldwide, and it’s why America treks in the amoral wilderness of hypocrisy.
It is the reason America is now a banana republic.
I call it “Machiavelli’s Gambit.”
Although never stated outright, Machiavelli’s Gambit is implied in every decision made by the government to circumvent any moral and legal dichotomies and excuse any ambiguities the choice might conjure.
Think about this for a moment. It implies that there is no longer right or wrong, only one’s perspective, and if that opinion violates any moral and legal precepts, this exception excuses it if, in your judgment, that action is supremely important, then any action is justifiable; it is the preeminent pretext.
It allows us to define morality and ethics, our values, from our point of view.
This simple five-word phrase vindicates any decision.
Let this sink in…
Morality is a system of principles and values concerning people’s behavior, usually accepted by a society or group. It is the human attempt to define right and wrong in thought and behavior, resulting in a system or set of ideas about good vs. evil and the basis of any individual or community belief in what constitutes good behavior or proper conduct.
Morals are dictated by society, culture, or religion, while Ethics are chosen by the person who governs his life. Morals are concerned with the principles of right and wrong. On the contrary, ethics stresses right and wrong conduct.
* Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” ~ Potter Stewart, Supreme Court Justice
Our Constitution defines how this republic operates…
Men and women, yes – there were four women authors, with great foresight, wrote this document to forestall all the adversities we face today at the hands of a treacherous few. They drew from their experience and knowledge of history, foreseeing all the troubles we’re living through today, and created guardrails to keep us from straying from an ethical path; their admonition, caveat… we had to follow the rules!
If you need an object lesson, read or listen to any news feed for first-hand evidence. There are far too many examples of constitutional infractions obviated by Machiavelli’s Gambit, and when you examine the propriety of the choice, Machiavelli’s Gambit supports it.
Our Constitution isn’t perfect; that’s why there’s a process to amend it.
* “An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.”
Even a cursory knowledge and understanding of our Constitution will tell you that our government, the Kakistocracy, is not following the rules; in fact, they ignore them utterly because they Insert Machiavelli’s Gambit. But then, these wouldn’t be considered the worst people if they followed the rules, would they?
* Kakistocracy is a government by the worst persons, a form of government in which the worst persons are in charge. It comes from the Greek Kakos = bad, and the superlative kakistos = very bad.
I could belabor the point by listing all constitutional violations, but that isn’t my objective. I want you to understand that our current situation was preventable and avoidable, but a few people hijacked our republic to destroy and revolutionize our philosophy to fit their view.
These terrorists firmly believe that socialism solves the problems that disagree with their doctrine. Their errant belief that socialism can be controlled and contained to create their utopian ideal is ludicrous. That arrogance ignores that socialism in any form has never, and will NEVER work, even in its purest form.
Socialism is a political ideology that aims to make people equal. It generally focuses on equity of wealth (e.g., similar wages, housing, education, and healthcare), although, since the 1960s, it has often focused on equality of power. It is usually considered left-wing because it seeks to change society.
Communism is a political and economic ideology that opposes liberal democracy and capitalism, advocating instead for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is nonexistent or severely curtailed.
The real and significant problem with socialism and communism is that it eventually runs out of other people’s money. At that point, ideological adjustments are required to fund this massively expensive philosophy.
Supplying the needs of China’s 1.46 billion people is not inexpensive. China’s budget this year is $3.4 Trillion, with a running deficit of $3.9 Trillion. In China, like America, the debt is held by internal investors and its national bank. China’s deficit is about 63.7% of its GDP; America’s is 123.4%, both for 2023.
By the way, America’s budget for 2023 is $5.8 Trillion and an additional $1.2 Trillion deficit. Our unfunded debt so far exceeds $100 Trillion.
In comparison, America has a population of 334.3 million people. China is roughly 4.25 times more people and with approximately the same deficit. It makes me wonder…
Can you justify spending more money than you have?
Is this even ethical? Remember, ethics says that “just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.”
It certainly isn’t legal, but that’s the presumptive power of rationalization using Machiavelli’s Gambit. All of these drafts on an empty account are legitimized by this phrase. We know it’s wrong and will lead to eventual financial collapse, but we press forward, ignoring the disastrous outcome. In this case, the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train headed in our direction.
“Hey buddy, can you spare a couple trillion dollars…?”
All decisions are a matter of perspective, as are the occasions necessitating Machiavelli’s Gambit. Choices are rarely clear-cut; there is usually some latitude and room for interpretation. Using Machiavelli’s Gambit is purely a matter of mindset regarding political or financial expedience, but it’s crucial to remember that there are other alternatives, like saying no.
“There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means.” ~ Calvin Coolidge
June 26, 2023
~ The Author ~
Charles R. Dickens was born in 1951, is a veteran of the Vietnam war, for which he volunteered, and the great-great grandson of the noted author, whose name he shares.
He is a fiercely proud American, who still believes this is the greatest country on the planet, with which we’ve lost control and certainly our direction. He grew up in moderate financial surrounding; we’re not rich by any stretch, but didn’t go hungry – his incredibly hard working father saw to that. As most from that era, he learned about life from his father, whose story would take too long to tell, other than to say that, he is also a fiercely proud American; a WWII and Korean war, veteran Marine.
Charlie was educated in the parochial system which, demanded that you actually learn something, and have capability to retain it before you advance. He attended several universities in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, and chased the goose further to a master’s, and has retained some very definite ideas about education in this country.
In addition, Charlie is a retired blues guitar and vocalist – a musician. This was his therapy career. Nothing brings him as much joy as playing music, and he wishes that he could make a living at it… but alas… life goes on!