The creep of totalitarianism

"The loss of liberty, to a generous mind, is worse than death. And yet we know that there have been those in all ages who for the sake of preferment, or some imaginary honor, have freely lent a helping hand to oppress, nay to destroy, their country.... This is what every man who values freedom ought to consider. He should act by judgment and not by affection or self-interest; for where those prevail, no ties of either country or kindred are regarded; as upon the other hand, the man who loves his country prefers its liberty to all other considerations, well knowing that without liberty life is a misery."

Andrew Hamilton, The Trial of John Peter Zenger [1735]

David Hughes, Telegraph Blogs, writes posing the question: "When exactly did free speech die in this country?", in which he cites David Starkey; the opposition to the Coalition's proposed planning rules; and Nadine Dorries with her amendment to the abortion debate - and in each case quotes the wrath of groups who disagree with that which is being proposed. Asking why this country has become unable to hold a civilized debate on any subject, Hughes ends by writing: "the common theme in all these examples is not that a point of view is being questioned – that’s healthy. What is being challenged is someone’s right to hold that view. And that’s dangerous".

That debate is missing is something which can no longer be ignored is undeniable - what usually happens is, as exampled by Hughes, contentious statements are made in rebuttal without having any real basis where fact is concerned. This lack of debate is rife within the political sphere and it is practised by politicians, quangos, fake charities, pressure groups, even including political commentators such as Polly Toynbee. Just what do these organisations and people have in common? Invariably, they are of left-wing persuasion, politically correct and rely on a form of debate which runs along the lines of: "I'm right, you're wrong, end of discussion".

It is also becoming increasingly obvious that such people are gaining a majority in 'advisory bodies' to which our politicians pay heed, likewise it is becoming increasingly obvious that politicians of the Lib/Lab/Con are becoming increasingly enraptured with the European Union, its ideology and thus of its aims. The outcome of all this is that the people of the United Kingdom are gradually being led into a totalitarian state, one perforce in which thought, word and deed are controlled.

Consider the definition of 'totalitarianism' provided by Wikipedia:

"Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible. Totalitarian regimes stay in political power through an all-encompassing propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, a single party that is often marked by personality cultism, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of speech, mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror."

I defy anyone to pick one phrase from that statement and argue that it is not being introduced into this country by our political elite and likewise, one phrase that does not apply to our political elite. There may be those that would counter we do not have a single party, to which I say they should study the party manifestos of the three main parties (Lib/Lab/Con) - they are the same, all that differs is the method how the same goals should be achieved. Some may also contend that terror is not a weapon employed in this country, again I say how many stories emerge about the dangers of smoking, alcohol, what we eat, how we use our leisure time, coupled with the obligatory stories of impending disease and plague that may be fast approaching from other parts of the world.

In conclusion, I can but refer to my previous post in which I repeated Ian Parker-Joseph's '6 things' question - and on which incidentally one commenter, Old Holborn, posted yet another challenge:

"Name me one thing in the room that is not measured, taxed, regulated or licensed by the State or the EU."