The Shock Doctrine
The Shock Doctrine
Below is a short film based on Naomi Klein's best seller, The Shock Doctrine
And here we are again, this time with the "financial crisis." The doomed financial system of their creation is on the verge of failure, and the ruling elite, from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, to the head of the Treasury, right up to the President himself, are urging immediate action. The Administration has drawn up a plan and they want it passed NOW! It is the same game plan that they used with the Patriot Act: PASS IT NOW! THERE IS NO TIME FOR ARGUMENT. PASS IT NOW!!! CERTAIN DISASTER AND THE END OF THE WORLD AWAITS!
Meanwhile, in the dark of night and behind the scenes, they've loaded down the bill with corporate welfare, bailouts for foreign banks and their politically connected, powerful banking friends.
But this time seems appears to be different. It is not the public that is suffering from the shock, it is the elites themselves. The politicians. The hedge fund managers. The bankers. The corporations. They are the ones that will be hurt the most. So far, the people are not suffering, which helps to explain why only 7% of voters support the bailout. We must keep up the pressure on our representatives, and urge them not to pass this bailout. Tell them that you do not support it, and will not support them if they do, and that they will be voted out of office come November.
And now, the Shock Doctrine:
My major disagreement with this video presentation of Ms. Klein's work is that it appears to demonize all aspects of the free market. Milton Friedman's wrote eloquently about freedom and the free market, but his own implementation of his ideas in the dictator Pinochet's Chile were nothing less than corporatism, also known as fascism, or socialism with sharholders. In socialism, it is the people who get welfare. In fascism, it is the corporations who get welfare, and bailouts, and money directly from the government's coffers, at the expense of we the people.
If you take nothing else away from this video, take this: If it is true that "only a crisis, actual or perceived, produces real change," as Friedman is quoted as saying, there it tremendous incentive for the powers that be to produce and exploit crises for their own ends, and history has shown that they will use any and all means necessary.
Read up on Pinochet's Chile, under the influence of Friedman's Chicago School ideology. If we let our great nation drift towards fascism, it is a preview of things to come here. It is incumbent upon those of us who are awake to exercise our rights while we still have them. Contact your representatives today. Don't let them forget that they work for you.
Here's something you may not know ...
Both communism and capitalism were spawned by the exact same MATERIALIST philosophy. They are flip sides of the same coin, two peas in the same pod, children of the same parents. And, they are both leading us to the same place ... HELL!
Ms. Klein, whatever her political views, has hit a home run with this video. This is exactly how the elite get their way with us ... they produce crises or pseudo-crises to move their agenda forward. Bash her if you want, but she's on target about this one thing. Basically what she's saying is: BEING FOREWARNED IS BEING FOREARMED.
Communism was, in fact, financed by Jacob Schiff, the Warburgs, and other luminaries with US dollars. As long as the goal of any system is godless materialism, the meanest, baddest, men in the world -- men without consciences -- will vie for control. IT CAN'T BE ANY OTHER WAY AND ANYONE WHO THINKS IT CAN HASN'T THOUGHT NEARLY LONG OR HARD ENOUGH.
Any half baked system would work if men, using self-restraint, respected each other's rights. No system, however perfect it appears on paper, will work if gangsters are in charge. Godlessness tends to promote gangsterhood. Godliness tends to promote self-restraint.
Take your pick, but you can't have it both ways.
Can I assume that you are a Nader supporter ...
looking to recruit some voters.
I do wish to add ...
that your sick version of religion has you feeling so guilty about materialism that you can not see straight.
I would suggest you do a little more knowledge seeking.
Free markets do not promote corruption and gangsterhood. They promote freedom and respect for property rights.
The problem with today's psuedo capitalism isn't greed by the private sector, it is greed by the government. Greed for power and money.
Bill Gates is greedy, how else do you think he got so wealthy, he wanted to be rich. If he wanted to be poor, I am sure he would have succeeded at that as well. Gates is so greedy that he wants to have power and fame. He wants to create a legacy that will live forever so that everyone for all eternity will know who he was. How does he plan to do that? He wants to eradicate AIDS in Africa. That greedy bastard!!!!!
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
Hey Rhino ...Bill Gates is some humanitarian!
His mega bucks go to population control. In a way you could say he's fighting AIDS .... BY KILLING THE PEOPLE WHO CARRY IT.
Wake up! You're an idiot. The goal of these people (including Gates and Warren Buffett) is to wipe out the vast majority of the world's population. The remainder will be their useful idiots. Hey, maybe you qualify?!?!?!
One last attempt to educate you: a truly free markets (no controls whatsoever) will always be dominated by the worst, most conscience-free people because they have NO RULES, like Thou shalt not murder, steal, bear false witness, etc. If you think real hard for a minute you might be able to figure out that people playing by NO RULES have the advantage over people who play by God's rules. The proper role of government is to protect the rights of all people against the no rules guys ... and force them to abide by the society's rules or go to jail.
That is a legitimate rule of government.
I will let that response speak for itself ...
and I will probably respond no more.
I can not help you.
Good luck.
And God Bless.
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
follow the leaders
Quit using their terminology .There is NO crisis YET...THIS IS a made up deal..Why would all the EXPERTS want LIQUIDITY & tie ME to a POLL.?????THINK MAN I want to do what they want to do . STAY liquid...END of 101
says
Klein is being disingenuous (i.e. LYING) about history.
She neglects to mention that the first instances of this "Shock Doctrine" being applied in the United States were by two DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS -- Woodrow Wilson prior to WWI (with the Lusitania sinking); and then by FDR during the depression (and thus the ultimate "source" of all her beloved "social programs" -- they were implemented via the "shock doctrine" system).
Interestingly enough, she also completely skips where Milton Friedman actually LEARNED this technique -- from none other than that "great" [sic] President, FDR. (Friedman was a Roosevelt "shipper" and the original source of such wonderful concepts as payroll tax withholding.)
Does Naomi Klein know all of these things -- certainly. And what she is doing in the video is using OTHER types of "psychological manipulation" techniques in order to falsely promote her own point and agenda.
Sad. Dishonest. Disingenuous. And well... just plain disgusting.
she also forgot the dinosaurs
----------------------------------------
Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
`Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys'
- P.J. O'Rourke –
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
Shock doctrine is a fraud
Johan Norberg:The Klein Doctrine, The Rise of Disaster Polemics
Very well written criticism of Naomi Klein.
Good link!
I listened to AM Progressive Talk Radio Host Mrs Randy Rhodes get Bold Over" -- her words, by this theory that "put it all together for me".
This is doing exactly what Naomi Klein indented to do, give progressives a theoretical base to reject the solutions of less government - free market solutions. The success of her book means she is doing a very good job of it.
We need to do more than let our middle of the road Progressive brothers and sisters who like us, care about freedom, justice, fairness, right and wrong, and see the problem government creates very clearly, but unlike us, are not sure that LESS GOVT and MORE FREE MARKET is the answer.
In Peace & Liberty,
Treg
Mr. Nystrom ...
Your video selections always seem to cut off the head to spite the whisker.
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/48994
While
writing my bratty politicians, I noticed that each senator had posted top and center on his/her homepage a link for people having trouble with their passports. What is the big issue with the passports? I was about to renew mine. Is there a rush for passports?
My PO Box is located at a U.S. Postal Center
that issues passports, but no one could get them there today because their payment and tracking system was down. I don't know if it was related.
Two days ago the line for passports was unusually (out of the door) long.
Curiouser...
Passing by a post office this past Saturday, I saw one of those big ol' brightly colored vinyl banners hanging from the front of the building, announcing, "Get your passports here!" I wondered in passing why that small post office would have such a gigantor sign for that...
Manny, I love Dr Milton Friedman! I dispise MsKlien's Theory
Shame on you for putting her theory up on daily paul.
First, Ms. Klein makes Milton Friedman and Free Market libertarianism to be an EVIL that people must run from. She is telling people, you don't like Crony Corporate Capitalism? Don't like warfare? Then blame Dr. Milton Friedman-- he is some super master mover and shaker who manipulated us all. When you hear of free market solutions such as PRIVATIZING social Security, run from it. When you hear of school vouchers, run from it. When you hear of Free Market Banking system, run from it. etc.
She on the one hand correctly quoting the CIA on torture and shock, then on the other trying...TRYING to TIE this to Dr. Friedman's free market capitalism, she is trying to advance the PROGRESSIVE agenda for more Government rules & regulations over the free market. By identifying Crony Corporate Welfare Congressional Capitalism as an evil, which it is but not because of the Free Market aspects but from the Govt aspects, she then INTENTIONALLY makes an attack against what is good, the Free Market.
We all have Dr Friedman to thank for NOT having a DRAFT. Stick that up Ms Klein's Progressive dress that calls for "everyone must donate 2 years of their life" to some government "public good" purpose.
The bottom line for Ms Klien is this, yes what Dr. Friedman taught us is "counter intuitive" lesson on freedom and what it means to be free, she just DOES NOT LIKE THE LESSON.
Oh she gets the lesson, she just hates the answer.
This is what we must know and understand about SOME ideological progressives, they can "get the counter intuitive lesson" on freedom, they can "see the math", say the math on how Raising the Minimum wage actually HURTS the working poor and causes more unemployed "at the margin" as economists like to say, but refuse the freedom message opting for the egalitarian-altruist "feel good" message that can only be implemented through government force, that is at the point of a gun.
Progressives like Ms Klein can see the Counter Intuitive lesson, she is not stupid. Its just that these hard core Progressives look at it, stare at it, and STILL refuse to call for freedom and instead, despite what they now know, still call for more government control all because it FEELS intuitively good and right in their "hearts". They can read books like the "Black Book On Communism" but walk away saying, "socialism egalitarian ideal was not implemented right". They can see the evils of a NationState mixed with the good of the Free Market, and despite all evidence to the contrary declare that its the Free Market's doing. Ralph Nader was made the example of by Dr Friedman several times over, pointing out to Ralph that his calls for a new needed "Government Regulatory Police Force to walk the Corporate Beat" would, in the end, result in the very corporations that are regulated getting eventual control of the regulators and using that government power to end their competition. The Lesson Dr. Friedman point out again and again and again was that eventually, the self interests of private companies will win out over the general interests of us all, thus its better to NOT have any regulatory bodies that will be used against the general public's interests in the long run.
Uncle Milton was NOT for fascism or welfarism of any kind, not for advancing warfare or welfare and NOT for advancing GOVERNMENT growth in any way. Ms Klein however is FOR BIG GOVERNMENT. Her thesis sits on its own hand, it is through Govt CREATED CRISES, that GOVERNMENT GROWS. Ms Klein has it exactly backwards,,,,,,and INTENTIONALLY BACKWARDS (and that is the evil part) and she intentionally demonizes Uncle Milton, every libertarians favorite Uncle.
Shame on you for putting this up for all to see!
YOU SHOULD in all fairness put up Dr Friedman's 1980 FREE TO CHOOSE series, which Dr Ron Paul told me when I showed him the book, "that is one of my favorites".
You should be putting up Dr Friedman's explanation of the Great Depression and the Federal Reserve. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7pnjzCuSv8
You should not advance her Progressive Anti-Free Market attacks, CLEAR, attacks from socialist progressives, to make out of context and put things in his mouth attacks against one of the greatest libertarians of all time.
At least give Dr. Friedman this fair Rebuttal... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kTy7glZ9s&feature=related
In Peace & Liberty,
Treg
Friedman was absolutely correct that ...
.... 'only a crises, real or percieved, produces real change," except that, contrary to the video's presentation, it is not only powers that be which can use 'shock therapy but anyone (even 'wannabe' powers) who wants to change/reform/overthrow an existing order. Wasn't 911, the assymetrical attack by Osama Bin Laden, the use of 'shock therapy' by a group out of power and no access to intercontinental ballistic missles?
Consider a less dramtic example like the Massachusetts state government. The only way to truly change the bureaucracy would be to use such 'shock therapy' which made state employees, normally comfortable in their bureaucratic postitions, feel they are about to lose what what they have become accustomed to. Individuals will respond to threatening situations. Nothing new in that.
It has nothing to do with right wing, left wing as Ms. Klein would have us believe by showing us 'CIA' story picture cards and portraying it as a Milton Friedman thing was below the belt. 'Shock therapy', part of normal human reactions to extreme events, can result in positive as well as negative outcomes. As a 'wannabe' I for one would welcome a dose of it on both our state and federal government.
Joe Ureneck
Have you considered this ...
When you shock the establishment, they don't tend to sit back, dazed and confused like we do. They have a bag of tricks ... one more evil than the other to use against us. Examples: I do believe they have weaponized their precious "bird flu" (perhaps even put it into a flu vaccine), and then there's that other trick, the "suitcase nuke" which could go off in some rustbelt city. Either of those "shocks" would neutralize us in a skinny minute and leave us dazed and confused once again. Seems to me that the purpose of the video was to warn us to be ONE STEP AHEAD OF THEM.
Now, don't get me wrong. I don't stay awake nights thinking up these ideas. I simply tune in the MSM and read their headlines. Of course, the first job of these headlines is to immediately scare some people silly, then to create the anticipatory dread, then to pull out whatever trick is needed, as needed, to keep the agenda rolling and us in line. Only by having enough people WIDE AWAKE, could we hope to stop them ... perhaps by telegraphing their moves to lots of people well in advance.
You should take a look at the BBC series (on youtube) entitled, "The Century of the Self." Brainwashing of the masses has been a way of life in these United States for a very long time. The entire system is corrupt. Tinkering with it now is too little, too late. Frankly, there must be a better way to live. If only people would stop protecting this lousy system maybe we could plan for the future. I really don't want to relive the past. It wasn't that good. You had to be brainwashed in school to believe it was.
Correct
Joe, I think that you're misinterpreting the message of the video. Yes, Bin Laden perpetrated a shock, if you believe in the official story of the 9/11 events. However, the point of the video is not who perpetrates the shock, it is what those in power do in response. The shock can take any form - natural disasters are one example that she gives.
Friedman also said that the ideas that get adopted after a crisis are simply the ones that are "laying around," i.e. most convenient at the time. Was the Patriot Act written in response to 9/11, or was it just laying in wait for the right opportunity?
Regarding the repeal of the Massachusetts State Income Tax - a measure we both support - the change, if it comes, will come about though a peaceful citizens initiative. Again, that is not the point. The question is what will those people in power do in response to the crisis they are faced with? They could just raise the sales taxes, or the property taxes, or whatever. Which means that after Question 1 passes, the fight is not over. We have to be in a position to alter the reaction when it comes.
The point of this whole thread is to introduce the concept of the Shock Doctrine.
As for the part about Friedman being below the belt: After the CIA helped overthrow the democratically elected President Allende and install the dictator Augusto Pinochet, Friedman and his associates from the Chicago School of Economics went down to advise the dictator on economic policy.
Friedman is the one who used the word "shock treatment" and urged Pinochet to act quickly. In response, Pinochet immediately fired his economic minister and gave the job to a member of the Chicago School who stacked the government with fellow graduates and disciples of Friedman, including one to head the Central bank.
The new economic minister privatized 500+ state industries (which is fine), but did it in such a way as to completely disrupt the economy and the lives of the citizens. The economy contracted 15%, unemployment hit 20%. The recession went on for years.
When asked if the social costs of his policies were excessive, Friedman said it was a "silly question." He went on to another, "My only concern is that they push it long enough and hard enough."
So - was it a low blow? Not in my opinion.
I agree that the shock treatment can result in positive or negative results, but the question is what guiding principles will be used in reaction to the shock.
Free Market Capitalists need to think a little deeper
God did not create the world so that men could become filthy rich, or pursue wealth as the be all and end all of life. Somewhere in the bible it says that "...the LOVE OF MONEY is the root of all evil." (This is often misquoted as "money is the root ...").
The capitalist system enshrines greed and thwarts God's plan for human beings. God created men to come to know Him, love Him, and serve Him in this world so as to be happy with Him forever in heaven.
Now, for those who are happy to spend eternity in hell in exchange for pursuing "the good life" on earth ... I happen to think it's a lousy exchange, but you'll have to find that out for yourselves, in person.
It's time we all screwed our heads on straight and attempted to discover what really makes for happiness here on earth ... family, friends, a little security, etc. NOT MEGA WEALTH.
As G.K. Chesterton once wrote: The only think wrong with capitalism is that it makes so few capitalists! (Most people become wage slaves in this system).
This video is quite factual ... we are being led to the slaughter one shock treatment at a time. I didn't realize Milton Friedman promoted the technique, but why am I not surprised.
Note to confirmed atheists: just ignore this post because I think you're a bunch of dumb bunnies. Some people can only learn the hard way.
Not only is your quote often misquoted
but also, a most important word is usually not emphasized. That word is ALL. Very interesting. All evil has money as the incentive.
I think we are going to be forced to take our attention off of our money. The money will disappear and people will have to worry about survival and turn to each other.
Yes!
Let's just pray that they don't turn to each other to see what they can steal (which many will because, if there's one set of rules capitalism ignores it's the 10 Commandments). It may become a free-for-all. But, hey, they're moving the armed forces in to "protect" us. God have mercy on us.
A case for Obama
"In socialism, it is the people who get welfare. In fascism, it is the corporations who get welfare, and bailouts, and money directly from the government's coffers, at the expense of we the people. "
If we can't have Ron Paul to correct the fascism, we can have Obama to offset it.
Yeah, I'm joking...a litttle.
There is absolutely no case
FOR Obama. Joking? I sure hope so. Don't forget who supports him.
my first thought, too
The thesis of her book came to my mind as soon as the crisis came to a head.
Governments can use the shock of a disaster to push through quickly whatever agenda they have, whether it be a socialist agenda or a capitalist agenda or whatever.
So the question is "What agenda do they have this time?"
One possibility: the centralization of power to the executive branch unparalled in US history to move as much wealth and power to the top of the pyramid as possible.
When the world turns to a pile of shit, the survivor at the top of the pile wins.
I Like the Pro USSR Part
One of the terrible coups that they refer to is the overthrow of communism in Russia. Sure it became a kleptocracy afterwards, but these Lenninists actually mourn the passing of the USSR.
The video raises a good point in that the Marxian & Fabian socialists have used the tactic over and over again. Like Wilson during the first world war, or FDR during the great depression.
I understand the intent of the post, but you can't give the commies an inch. Yes, what Friedman did in Chile was horrible, and so were many excesses of imperialist cold war anti-communism. The communists are still here even if they use new labels, and they'll use slick marketing to get into a position where they can make Pinochet look like a nice guy.
Naomi needs alot of No-Doze. She still sleeps.....zzzzz.
"Committed To The Eradication Of Poverty Among Patriots"
"Those Who Strive For Excellence Refuse To Fear Mediocrity; They Eradicate It."
Zero Tolerance For Flamers
"GINO" = Government In Name Only
This scare/propaganda video was first linked here last October
by a DP member named anothergreenbus, a confirmed Democrat. It is meant to lure freedom-lovers like us away from belief in the free market.
Klein speaks often of the dangers of unfettered capitalism and uses Chile as the example of free market dangers. But Chile did not implement the ideals of austrian economics.
On the contrary, Friedman and the Chicago School idealogy is what this country needs and Ron Paul has said so. I personally corresponded with Dr. Friedman more than once, and the claim above that the implementation of his ideas can lead to corporatism and fascism is offensive.
Please remove this thread.
-JP
The first 5 million supporters of Dr. Paul are 'early adopters.' The next 10 million will require a modified approach.
Nonsense
First you say, "It is meant to lure freedom-lovers like us away from belief in the free market." Then without missing a beat, at the end, you say, "Please remove this thread."
If you are a true freedom lover, you don't mind the expression of opinions that are different from your own. In fact, Ron Paul said it himself in his most recent letter: "Principled people are not shy in participating with others and will defend their beliefs on their merits."
JP, I encourage you to keep your mind open. That is what this site, and freedom is about. Be open to new ideas. You are correct that Chile did not implement Austrian ideas, it implemented the ideas of Friedman.
Anyway, Friedman and Chile are not the point of this thread. The point of this thread is the Shock Doctrine.
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Can you provide any books or links that back up this claim?
Your claim that.... "You are correct that Chile did not implement Austrian ideas, it implemented the ideas of Friedman."
Lets be factually clear:
#1) What ideas of Friedman did Chile implement?
#2) What ideas of Friedman that Chile implemented resulted in fascism in any shape or form?
The only good things that I hear in regard to Dr Friedman's ideas being followed in Chile are from Hernando De Soto, who's book can be found here: The Mystery of Capital
http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Capital-Capitalism-Triumphs-Ev...
I believe a better explanation and response to the likes of Noami Klein as to the reasons why Chile went fascist can be found in this book here: The Perfect Latin American Idiot.
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Perfect-Latin-American-Idiot/dp/...
This book traces out how most passionate caring intellectuals gravitate to the Progressive side in Latin America, yet again and again each Latin American country falls for a Fascist Dictatorship. And the book points out why this is always the case. Progressives don't like the answer, but when you use FORCE to implement your "deep Concerns for the Poor", a dictatorship is what you'll get. If however, you have a real deep concern for the poor, then you will take the medicine of private property rights of all and free markets for all because you realize, THERE IS NOTHING better.
I believe you are of course free to post this here on the DP, I am all for Freedom of Speech, and most of all, its your property to do so. Both two Principles that Dr. Friedman was a big champion of.
If you want our R3VOLution to face these Progressives head on, perhaps find common ground, and come to terms over our disagreements, may I suggest we hold a "Libery & Equality Summit 2009" in Vegas during the 4th of July. We could invite Ms Klein and David Friedman, Milton's Son, to the event. We could invite a lot of progressive and libertarian writers and scholars, sell lots of books and DVD's, and most of all try to find Common Ground. Nothing sucks as much as having smart, passionate, justice loving people on the Progressive side see the problem clearly but get the CAUSE all wrong, thus fight us tooth and nail towards getting the right societal solution. They influence the Left, we the Right, and we get a mix of both, a very bad mix of both, as stagnate Statism of Welfare/Warfare-ism in which Liberty and Equality looses. We could invite Ron Paul and Denis Kucinich, two icons of each side. If they can agree to 4 major policy issues, so could we. Our R3VOLution could grow because of it.... and perhaps the worst part of Klein's argument will be thrown into the dust bin where it belongs.
Just a thought,
In Peace & Liberty,
Treg
Right, promoting the viewing
Right, promoting the viewing of one of the most popular anti-capitalism videos is the point of your thread.
The first 5 million supporters of Dr. Paul are 'early adopters.' The next 10 million will require a modified approach.
You're not listening
The point of this video is promoting awareness of the shock doctrine, which is being applied to the American People as we speak with the phony "financial crisis."
- - -
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