Ameritopia

@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
March 9, 2012 1:44pm CST
I just received Mark Levin's book Ameritopia. I've only got to page 5 and had to share this, here is a quote: Utopianism substitutes glorious predictions and unachievable promises for knowledge, science, and reason, while laying claims to them all. Yet there is nothing new in deception disguised as hope and nothing original in abstraction framed as progress. A heavenly society is said to be within reach if ony the individual surrenders more of his liberty and being for the general good, meaning the good as prescribed by the state. If he refuses, he will be torrmented and ultimately coerced into compliance, for conformity is essential. Indeed, nothing good can come of self-interest, which is condemned as morally indefensible and empty. Throuogh persuasion, deceit, and coercion, the individual must be stripped of his identity and subordinated to the state. He must abandon his own ambitions for the ambitions of the state. He must become reliant on and fearful of the state. His first duty is to the state-not family, community, and faith, all of which challenge the authority of the state. Once dispirited, the individual can be molded by the state with endless social experiments and lifestyle calibrations. Wow, this is going to be a great book; anyone out there who has read it? Let me know what you think.
2 people like this
3 responses
• United States
9 Mar 12
I like to read his book too. Maybe, when our local library has his book I will make a reservation. He is very opiniated and straight foward guy. Hope this book become a best seller.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
9 Mar 12
He is not only smart book wise, he has what folks here in Missouri call horse sense. Good old fashion common sense. Glad you read him, pass on what you learn. America is in sore need of this common sense. And in sore need of some truth about our beginnings and the men who founded this country.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Mar 12
I got it from the library, there wasn't even a waiting list! I have to admit, I'm not stupid but I found the book nearly unreadable. I just couldn't slog my way through it. I absorbed the point of what he was saying and I agree with him but I just could not sit down and read it all. Levin is brilliant. I just can't get through his books.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
9 Mar 12
I have to admit, I've had to reread trying to absorb the meaning. My nephew went to law school with him. I did not listen to or read his work until my nephew recommended him. Now I do listen. He's a brilliant man who knows history and can see the consequences of our apathy as a society. I can't stop myself from wanting to share all of this. Bear with me, one more quote... [i]Not only has liberty nothing to do with any sort of equality, but it is even bound to produce inequality in many respects. This is the necessary result and part of the justification of individual liberty: if hte reslut of individual liberty did not demonstrate that some manners of living are more successful than others, much of the case for it would vanish. Equality, as understood by the American Founders, is the natural right of every individual to live freely under self-government, to aquire and retain the property he creates through his own labor, and to be treated impartially before a just law. [/i] WOW, sorry to go on and on...but this stuff is awesome. Thanks for listening. I can get rather carried away.
2 people like this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
10 Mar 12
You've convinced me, Debra, with the 2 quotes I've seen here. I'll have to look for that one.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
11 Mar 12
I am known for reading a book in one sitting, this one is taking a bit longer. He uses BIG words. lol Really big words. It may be a bit overwhelming for some, but I hope you do enjoy it. I'm going to read Bill O'Rielly's Killing Lincoln next. I've gotten a paycheck, first one in almost a year, I splurged. Eating beans all week, but I am loving it!
1 person likes this