“The Movement has focused its energy on recruiting young men everywhere, from college campuses to bowling alleys, and indoctrinate them with its philosophy, of white supremacy, men and women not being equal. They spread the words of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Edmund Burke.
“Young people should be exposed to the work of another formidable political writer, Jean Jacques Rousseau, especially his work The Social Contract. Unfortunately, he was French, and strangely, Americans seem to consider anything French un-serious, from quiche to their nasal accent.
“The Movement and its billionaire supporters are heavily influenced by the Absolutism or Authoritarianism doctrine of Hobbes, Burke, Madison (I would call them together as Elitism) that expressly disfavor ordinary people governing themselves, dismissing them as incompetence. Of course, Elitism that leads to Oligarchy benefits them hugely, a state of politics they naturally want to create, maintain, and preserve.
“It should and must be made clear that America was created by ordinary people. There are at least 125 people who could not make it in their own countries. They moved to America, built fabulously successful companies, and became billionaires. Why? Because they have worked with and been supported by the genius of ordinary Americans.
“Young people need to be reminded that ordinary Americans that of course includes them, have done a fabulous job of building this country. They should never, ever, be infatuated with the billionaires and mesmerized by them, and lose themselves. They can only have their dignity and stay true to themselves in a Democracy. I wanted to tell you a Vietnamese story, very inspiring story but another day. We have taken up so much time, and space, of the restaurant.”
Walking to his car, Le was deep in thought. At the dinner, he was silently observing Senator Archibald Russell, the leader of progressive faction and of the Social Democratic Party going into the last presidential election. He lost to Zachary Cook but remained the most influential politician within the party. There he was, sitting quietly, serenely without saying a word even though the discussion at the table was about an issue, the Movement’s existential threat to Democracy, that he was supposed to feel strongly about. Le marveled at the reality of the current American politics that a white democratic politician did not show any passion when Democracy, his political raison d’etre and presumed ideology, was in eminent danger. He probably felt the chance for Democracy to survive was indeed slim, or … Le dreaded to think of the other explanation.
JOHN P. LE PHONG
(This Excerpt appears on X, Facebook, and thelephongjournal.com)
