Jay Lillie

 

 

 

Originally released in October, 2008 and republished by Popular Demand

 

My unabridged defines “populism” in several ways.

 

Philosophy of the Peoples Party is one . . . that sounds like Chinese communism or at least European socialism.

 

Anti-intellectualism is another . . . although Barack and Michelle Obama [Columbia undergrad and Harvard Law] are certainly intellectuals.

 

Egalitarianism and extolling the working class is a third . . . and here we think of communism again, mostly as it was under Karl Marx.

 

Extolling of the underdog . . . a great American pastime.

 

You get the drift . . . Common people of the world unite!

 

So why is it such a popular movement these days? Why is populism going strong in places like Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua . . .and now, maybe, the good old U.S.A?

 

Populism has been the route for taking control in South American countries since Simon Bolivar. The list is long . . . from Bolivar through Peron to Chavez and Castro. Some were elected in the first instance, and others just took power by force, but they all have in common promising to take from the rich and give to the poor. Of course they all took very big commissions for themselves, now residing in Swiss bank accounts.

 

Did it work? Did the poor get good jobs, lots of cash, and a better life? If so, you’ll need to tell me where, because I haven’t seen it. This is the big secret . . . populism has never done anything for the poor it’s supposed to help. What it’s good at is destroying economies and enriching the leaders who make the promises . . . sort of like being first-in first-out in a pyramid scheme. At best, populism is good intention going straight to hell.

 

Case in point: The populist notion underlying the Acorn movement to help poor people buy homes. A good idea if done right, and a disaster for all of us if mishandled by politicians looking after themselves and their friends. If you want to know who are the culprits here besides Fannie May listen to the news or send e-mails to three or four news stations until you get some straight answers.

 

Case in point: Juan Peron of Argentina. This bit of populism is forever immortalized by the opera “Evita”. Go see the musical or get the CD . . . it’s broken promises set to the wonderful music of Andrew Lloyd Weber.

 

Case in point: Hugo Chavez. This is a work in progress, but have a look at Cuba if you want to see how Venezuela will end up. Also look at where Chavez’ friends reside . . . Russian, Iran, and China. All of us Americans need to be careful not to fall for Populist promises . . . especially those of us who really need help.

 

We’ve been hearing a lot of promises, and not only from the urban party that revels in it, and always has. My grandfather was a Harry Truman Democrat who saw clearly in 1941 that the Populist regime of Franklin Roosevelt that he’d supported for ten years did not bring him or his family out of the Depression, but rather made it deeper and more far-reaching . . . especially for the working class of which he was a part.  When you hear someone start talking about the “New Deal” . . . run as fast as you can in the other direction . . .and take your vote with you.

 

 

 

 

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