Libertarian Times

The US welfare/warfare State is in trouble. There's a growing lack of confidence in the DC political realm, from President to faceless bureacrats. As we get close to the elections, while both parties want victory, the party in power, the Democrats, with an historical President in which they've heavily invested, know something drastic must be done before Democrats lose on two fronts -- they are temporarily losing the battle for statist expansion and the battle for control of government. Democrats are desperate to instill confidence in government. Obama is giving speech after speech praising the efforts of government which allow all economic activity to happen and all businesses to operate. Obama and the Democrats are presenting government as the overarcing generator of enterprise which allows businesses to take place individually.

Obama and the Democrats are presenting government, under their control, as the protector of the saftey net which stands between the American people and the jungle of the market. Government is the societal mother and father who help American citizens navigate the rough waters from school to work to retirement. The problem is that this narrative isn't getting through to over half the country, and if polls can be believed close to 80% of the country has lost confidence in congress. The President is popular with many people, but that popularity is not translating to wild support for his performance. The American people are losing confidence in our system of government.

As the election grows near, the Obama administration is trying to completely destroy Romney, but, so far, this is isn't working. Today, there are reports that Iran is threatening to close down the Strait of Hormuz, and there are rumors that Syria might use chemical weapons. Would another war perk up the American people and instill confidence in a strong warrior President? Will Democrats use the narrative of Obama the Terrorist Slayer to start a conflict with Iran or jump in Syria to save the innocent people for political reasons? Surely not. Surely not. I can't believe that I can even imagine something so cynical.

But ask yourself -- why would the Syrian government use chemical weapons and invite the wrath of much stronger nations who would surely intervene, and why would they announce the use of chemical weapons? Also, why would Iran actually close the Strait of Hormuz and invite military reaction from the US and her allies? Why? None of this passes the smell test, just as the brave Syrian rebels fighting for democracy narrative never passed the smell test. Syria is in a civil war and the thugs fighting the government (possibly al Qaeda) are no better than the government. And, while Iranian leaders bluster and sound crazy at times, the leaders of Iran are not insane.