Imperial America: Reflections on the United States of Amnesia

Reading this book following the presidential election provides an even greater level of insight into Gore Vidal's "Imperial America" than beforehand. This is the case with writers of insight, and master essayist Vidal certainly fulfills that criterion. He points out ironically at the end of this fast-paced volume, a collection of some of his most stirring recent essays, how the Republican propaganda machine combined with the mainstream media are so apt to use terms such as "left wing" and "radical" for individuals who in any objective context would be classified as "thoughtful conservatives." He uses this label to describe Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich in his presidential bid. It was Kucinich and those who supported him who sought to conserve the best of America, its resources, its economic opportunities, a rational foreign policy based on international cooperation, while the Bush Administration represents the ultimate in revolutionary radicalism with a strong rightist connection. Vidal decries the fact that America has gone the route of Empire, a process dramatically heightened under the Administration he refers to as the Cheney-Bush Junta. Vidal contends that the Democratic Party in its anxiety to blend with the corporate establishment, an occupational necessity on the part of those seeking to achieve and hold onto elective offices, has morphed with the rapacious Republicans to the point where an octopus has resulted, bereft of democratic tendencies, with the objective of marching to the tune established by the top one percent of asset holders of the population. The author sums up Bush succinctly in one short and insightful essay entitled, appropriately, "Armageddon." He begins by writing about Ronald Reagan and how his affability and ability to deliver a speech convincingly led him to be a favorite of an establishment seeking a credible appearing but submissive figurehead. Vidal sees Bush in the same tradition with one additional element, that of his steadfast embracing of the religious evangelical right to the point where he claims to gain information prior to decision making not from reading lengthy and tiresome briefing papers, but by talking to God. Gore Vidal advocates the very thing that the establishment fears, the convening of a constitutional convention. He believes that this would be the perfect opportunity to bring important issues buried by the corporate media power structure to the fore in the interest of democracy, a people's representation far exceeding the timid exercises known as current political campaigns, which are so frequently replete with corruption in the form of vote additions and subtractions by individuals appropriately positioned in the power structure.

IMPERIAL AMERICA By Gore Vidal If you were already feeling that the task of reforming even one part of our federal government is too overwhelming, IMPERIAL AMERICA will only give you more data to confirm your skepticism. In a collection of articles written over the past 30 years, Vidal traces the imperialistic tendencies of the U. S. from the Founders but says that our current self-styled "war-time President" and his evil concept of pre-emptive war fulfills Ben Franklin's prediction at the Constitutional Convention that government, after a course of years, "can only end in Despotism". He does not mask his contempt for Bush's lies ("lies repeated often enough become truth") and abuse of language that serves to "disguise, not illuminate" ("Healthy Forest Initiative", etc.). Vidal the historian tells us that Imperialist attitudes were present in some degree from the nation's beginnings (Native Americans, slaves, Mexican war, Louisiana Purchase) but that real empire-building began with McKinley and T. Roosevelt. Imperial Presidential powers expanded --- always under the guise of "national security" --- under Lincoln and Wilson and have been used to justify all "hot" and "cold" wars since ---Korea, Vietnam, Panama, and Iraq. (Strangely, he faults poor Carter for NOT using executive privilege to fix the energy crisis.) FDR began rearmament, and Truman further militarized the economy, although he realized that he had to "scare the Hell" out of people to make them go along. Vidal notes that Imperialist governments "gain maximum power" over the people when citizens are in constant terror --- a perfect description of this nation's current status. Also, a permanent wartime footing is good for the economy! Vidal is not alone in pointing out that, without an "enemy", there is no justification for the huge proportion of the federal budget going to the Defense industry. Only Eisenhower, a soldier, warned about the dangers of the "military-industrial complex". The scariest and most jaw-dropping chapter in the book describes how Reagan's preoccupation with Armageddon influenced his relationship with Gorbachev and Israeli foreign policy! Vidal offers his unique opinions and suggestions regarding political parties, special interests, prisons, victimless crimes, and ALL spy agencies. Reminding us that Jefferson suggested a constitutional convention at least once a generation since institutions must "advance, hand-in-hand with the more enlightened human mind", Vidal advocates a parliamentary system and much shorter, smarter Presidential campaigns. He also says that the "irrepressible, invincible ALTRUISM" that leads us to invade countries would be better suited for national health care, improved transportation and schools, and clean air and water. Vidal is hard to summarize because he is such a brilliant thinker! It's impossible to absorb even a fraction of what he presents.

I would urge those concerned with the future to read Mr. Vidals newest book, Imperial America. In it you'll learn things of value. The False Statement Statute (Title 18: Section 1001) which should allow not only for Bush's impeachment but a possible jail sentence is one. Another is the HAVA (Help America Vote Act) which could allow some very suspect machinery to influnence this next election...or rather after 2000, the selection. One should be more concerned with Letting America Vote. Yet please do not feel this is a slow, technical read...far from it. It moves briskly and unlike many offerings always shows where quotes came from and who said them. Mr. Vidal, along with Ms.Roy and Mr.Chomsky continue to be very meticulous here. Their knowledge greatly expands each book...allowing for greater thought, bringing us into area's not reported or covered. For those who won't read this book...don't...you will not get anything from it. For those who respect knowledge and truth, you'll undoubtedly read it. My concern (and hope) is for those not quite sure. It is for you to grow and become (far) more knowledable. Put down the sports page, stop worrying about some millionaire, who will not hit his weight...and get involved. Time is running out...The French Foreign Legion had a motto, 'March or Die.' For 2004 may I suggest, 'Learn or Die.' Thank you for taking the time to read this...and please read this book...Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful collection of essays; some current, and all timely despite a few redundancies and dated comments about the Japanese economy. There is more wisdom and truth here than in the dry high school textbooks that were the last history that many have read (neither rates 100% but Vidal is MUCH better).The first and last essays alone are well worth the price of the book. Unlike certain policy makers today (almost all 'Chickenhawks') Vidal served in the military; unlike most (including a certain 'gentleman C student and-proud-of-it) Vidal knows his history. You may not agree but you should always find him thought provoking. When the US is something like 25th in reading (despite the benefits of great English literature and many choices) this should be first on the list before the military history and heroes of myth. Unlike many books today it is the truth here that will both disturb and enchant.It is a thoughtless, uninformed, superficial reading that would dismiss the some arguments as anti-Semitic or ideological and it is the early democratic spirit of the country not Marxism that informs his judgments. Thinking about the comments of Franklin, Jefferson, Adams quoted herein should make that clear. If people read it otherwise perhaps the Hollywood producer, quoted by Vidal in another context, assessing the general public as walking with its knuckles scrapping the ground was right?

Superb. As timely as Revere's midnight ride. If Ronald Reagan was America's neo-Julius Caesar, his adopted "son" was the first George Bush (just as J.C. adopted Augustus). And look what THAT progeny wrought. I fully expect that over the next century, no fewer than seven Bushes will have run or become president (mimicking the Roman Caesarian line). Goodbye, American Republic. I, too, am a republican with a small 'r'. I have long feared what this corporatist Disneyland culture we laughingly still call a nation has been doing and NOW will do to the world in a Christian Evangelical/Viagara/Prozac-induced frenzy. Vidal is right: Americans don't know anything about the wider world or themselves because they don't remember anything. Nothing. As I see U.S. domestic culture now, it is all pointed in the direction of turning evry last one of us into a hamfisted, flat footed, grasping, thrusting, huckleberry foot soldier for Empire. Just as in ancient Rome. And there ain't a jesus-bleepin' thing we can do about it now. It's too damn late. We're all screwed. Welcome to your Empire, America. There's just one thing: having built it, now you gotta run it. Have fun watching your sons and daughters die in even farther away places than Iraq - but don't worry - by then you'll be more than used to it. Death in the Empire will be so common place, it'll be like breathing. Natural. In your short-term memories, don't say nobody didn't warn you.