SHORT ESSAY:WHAT IF MCCAIN DIED & PALIN WERE PRES.!

                            COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?

Fredrich Rich has written a book called “Christian Nation.”  In it he posits a situation where McCain-Palin are elected in 2008.  Rich points out, that before the crash and Great Recession, McCain-Palin were in a tight race with Obama-Biden.  So, the book goes on to suggest what might happen if the republican ticket were elected.  Hypothetically, soon after the election, McCain dies and Palin takes over as President.

She establishes a theocratic state.  Rich points out that the Far Right has suggested a specific program for a “Christian” government.  We can see what that plan is by looking at states like North Carolina where far right republicans have proposed legislation that is Christian based.  In N.C. a bill was introduced in the legislature that made  Christianity the official religion of the state.  .

It didn’t pass, but what if the right wing takes over the state legislature?  There has been an avalanche of bills going through Red State legislatures putting restrictions on abortion that effectively outlaw it and there have been bills to limit contraception, etc. 

Rich argues that Palin is isolated from the real world by ignorance and piety.  She is the kind of Christian that believes that the world will soon end and the “rapture” will soon come.  Rich points to the fact she is not isolated in that belief: 30% of Americans want the world to end, believe in the literal interpretation of all of the Bible, and believe in the rapture of church in their lifetime.

Rich asks, what happens when democracy and religion are fused together?  We see the example in Turkey and the former government of Egypt.  These countries are or have been Crypto Fascists, as is the country of Saudi Arabia.  They, of course are Muslim Fundamentalists.  But the similarities of Palin and these Muslims are strikingly similar:  1) They know what God wants; 2) They are intolerant of non-believers; 3)  They are anti-intellectual and  4) They are against non-religious education (Palin has argued for home schooling to avoid secular influences].

When there is social anxiety and economic insecurity and the suffering that goes with that, there is ground for dogmatic messages.  In America they will work because the public is so apathetic [and politically ignorant I would add].    Rich proposes, too, that a deeply tragic event occurs during the Palin presidency.  She then declares martial law. 

She then institutes a program called “The Blessing.”  It is a Christian crypto fascist program that effects public education, religion in the public sphere, the role of women in society, and who should be allowed to be teachers (anyone who is over a certain age is deemed to be homosexual and will not be allowed to teach), etc.

Finally, there is the role of technology.  It is very effective in spreading the ideas of Christian Fascism, just as it as been effective now on “Christian” radio and TV programs.

The vision has been clearly stated in the agenda of the Far Right.

Indeed, could it happen here?