Tags
For those who don’t know, Paypal recently released some terms and conditions that suggested they were going to claim the right to seize 2500 from any account out promoting misinformation on the internet.
They have since retracted it, claimed it was sent in error, blamed it on bad editing, etc, etc. Apparently people did not immediately applaud this idea. I have no idea what the real backstory is, but I do know that digital currency of all sorts tends to scare me because people in charge often seem to believe they have the right to use your own money to control you.
Bad blogger, low social credit score, we’re blocking your ability to buy coffee today….
However, if we could just flip the tables, learn from Paypal, and start fining our own government 2500 for every bit of misinformation they try to feed us, life might be a lot more fun! I hope this isn’t breaking news to anyone, but they tend to lie to us, repeatedly, and than lie some more. In fact, that’s pretty much the very definition of “politics,” lying to the people. At some point in our history, most of us understood that, it was simply common knowledge.
Today everything is all backwards. We fact check the little people who have no power while unconditionally believing everything our government says. It’s just crazy! We’ve completely inverted reality. Fact checkers are supposed to exist to keep our government in line, to force them to put some effort into their lies, not to police the little people for alleged “bad talk.”
It is actually immoral to police people in this manner because for one we don’t get paid, we aren’t elected, and we don’t work for you. Therefore we have the freedom to explore and engage in whatever information we choose to pursue. Or misinformation, for that matter. If I want to discuss how the moon landing was faked, that’s what freedom is all about.
And if gender is just a social construct, well than I have socially constructed two genders and I am entitled to not just tolerance, but also some parades and balloons.
I don’t know how we proceed to implement this idea, but somebody needs to create an app or a video game that allows us to zap 2500 from the account of any politician who attempts to feed us misinformation. I suspect we would bankrupt them all rather quickly, but perhaps future generations would take telling the truth a bit more seriously.
Just the usual disclaimer for our alien lizard overlords, this is a fantasy, a dream, a creative notion, and not a call to engage in any criminal behavior. You know what separates me from my own government? I believe we need to treat them ethically and justly. They don’t seem to suffer from the same affliction when dealing with people they are supposed to be serving.
Perhaps I’ll put my liberal hat back on and start chanting, “defund the government.” How about, “shut down the war machine!” Or perhaps, “my body, my choice?” I suppose we’re not using any of those slogans anymore, that was all so yesterday. Today we’re just on an endless march towards fascism chanting more war, more government funding, and we now own your body. It’s all “science.” The science of psilocybin or something.
See, there's this thing called biology... 
Very good essay on this topic! I first heard about PayPal’s absurdity via Truth Social. It appears that many have decided to close their accounts because if the so-called “error” they claimed to have made. No! It was another deliberate, crazy, mixed up, irrational, lunatic attempt to silence us; and if we don’t shut up, they will make money by fining us? In what universe is that a good idea? I’m glad I never used their service, and never will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right?! Even if we pretend this was an honest mistake, why would I want you handling my money? A mistake is look, “oops, we found a math error,” not “we accidentally notified millions of people about a policy we had no intention of implementing.
LikeLike
I hope everyone realizes the danger that a purely cashless society poses. One where banks and credit card companies can limit your ability to purchases what you want with your own money, or punish you for your choices… worse yet at the government’s “request”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! I think we’re kind of on our way there already. Most people are not able to only deal in cash. We have debit cards, credit cards, direct deposit, paypal.
LikeLike
IB, you post like someone already a slave. In the American Republic, the citizen is sovereign and the government is us. It is nonsense to recommend that we fine ourselves $2500 every time we get out of line.
The solution to renegade corporations is the same as the solution to renegade people: law and order.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Americans have elected Progressives. The goal of Progressivism is to destroy the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the American Republic.
1. Woodrow Wilson, the father of Progressivism was elected twice. He got us into World War 1.
2. FDR was elected a whopping 4 times.
3. Lyndon Johnson, father of the Welfare State crushed his hapless GOP opponent, Barry Goldwater in a historic landslide.
4. Republican RINO Richard Nixon who did more to grow government than Democrat Lyndon Johnson was elected twice by landslides.
5. Bill Clinton, sex pervert and well known abuser of women, was elected twice.
6. Barack Obama, a malevolent anti-American, was elected twice.
7. President Trump was flushed down a DC toilet and is now pursued by the government that Americans have been electing for over 100 years.
Quit crying like a baby and do something. Back a MAGA candidate. Engineer a MAGA takeover of the local school board.
With your gift for blather, you’d make a great city mayor. Go for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Never thought I’d say this Silence, but you sound kind of young, naive, and idealistic.
LikeLike
IB, I am 67 years old, further proof that you are a fool who thinks she is wise. Get a brain of your own before it is too late.
For God’s sake, IB, when in your life did you ever get the idea that you were anything but a dummy like the rest of us?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t even wish to be wise, Silence. There’s this really cool verse in the Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” I got the idea I wasn’t a complete dummy by watching others try to lean into their own understanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
IB, if you don’t wish to be wise then STFU and quit your blog. Everything you do is for your own aggrandizement. You are the wise old bitch who cures the world’s ills with your commentary. You have no solutions. You have not hope. You have no light. You are a voice of darkness calling out to the darkness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first time I have noticed comments by you. I guess I typically pass them over without much thought. I’m glad I paused this time around. You are fascinating. I certainly don’t want to cause too much of a ruckus in the comments here, but I would enjoy a bit of back and forth with you and your anger issues if you are up for it. It’ll be fun.
LikeLike
Just so there is no confusion, I’m addressing Mr. Silence not IB.
LikeLike
“Just so there is no confusion, I’m addressing Mr. Silence not IB.”
From time to time I like to mention how I came to this blog for the purpose of respectfully defending the defunct Dalrock. I’ve stayed because IB is very wise and really cool and a worthy counterpoint to Dalrock. I would defend IB the same way I would defend Dalrock. To me they are 2 examples of divergent voices who have something very valuable to contribute to the discussion.
In contrast, whilst I might happen agree with some of the points Silence makes, he is not particularly helpful, if I may be allowed to understate the case for the sake of comity and probity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
His responses really surprised me. I get the impression that he believes America would be in a better place if more people believed/acted like him. His behavior, however, is a very poor example. Anger, insults and belittling are not helpful. I’m certainly guilty of similar behaviors sometimes but I’m actively trying to not be that way. My own pride and selfishness is wickedly powerful but with God’s help, I have been growing in my humility and understanding. So I hope I don’t come across as too self-righteous in calling out Silence, but I genuinely hope he would consider his behavior and choose to be a better example of a believer next time.
LikeLike
River, Truly I must apologize for my “anger issues.” But it is profoundly disturbing how IB disguises pop culture incoherence as wise, folksy wisdom. What is even more disturbing is how many people swallow it hook, line and sinker.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate the response, thank you. I could care less if you agree/disagree with any of her posts. The thing that caught my attention was your incredibly rude and self-righteous responses to her. Don’t get me wrong, disagreements and even arguments are important but you came across as a jerk and that completely negated any valid criticism you may have had, in my opinion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa, wtf is up with Silence?
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s up with SOM is the rat in his pocket. It bit down on his left testicle a couple of days ago and he went into a fit of rage. He is just now recovering.
LikeLike
Do you honestly thing it is only the progressives who have the goal of destroying this country?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a valid point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
IB, River’s point is not valid. Get a brain of your own and train it to think. The Progressives are destroying the American Republic. No one else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, you believe there is a “good” political party in all of this?
LikeLike
There are Progressives in both political parties. However, opposition to Progressivism finds its home in the Republican Party. Donald Trump is leading the effort to drive Progressives out of the Republican Party and make it the political party of Make America Great Again (MAGA). Campions like President Trump, Ron DeSantis, Kari Lake, Lee Zeldin are leading the charge.
The MAGA movement doesn’t bellyache like IB, it teaches the constitutional principles of American government, organizes and takes action. Unlike IB, the MAGA movement is Christian and optimistic because we know God protects his own. “Pray. Kick ass. Pray,” captures the MAGA ethos.
Of the ten Republicans who voted to impeach President Trump, 8 are gone, their political careers destroyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with a lot of what you say here. I just find myself really struggling to hold onto the belief that there is any politicians out there who are genuine in what they are saying. So much of it comes across as pandering for support and votes. Telling us what we want to hear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://instapundit.com/547067/#respond
I just posted some snide comments over on instapundit, saying, amongst other things, that the greatest enemy of the American People today is the American Government.
I also said that rather than a state-run media, we enjoy the blessings of a media-run state.
So, yeah, “Progressive” doesn’t even begin to cover it. I need to remember to stop using the word, and also to stop using a whole bunch of other obsolete words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“ greatest enemy of the American People today is the American Government.”
Agree.
LikeLike
The thing about Progressives destroying America is they are very outspoken about it, they are very clear about their intentions, they are well organized, and they are dedicated to the point of fanatical devotion. I’d say the point is that no matter what your views in general are, if you want to destroy America then you are part of the movement called “Progressive.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes more sense to me when put that way. I certainly see progressivism as a cancer but also would say that there isn’t much of what I would consider a conservative party left. Progressives kill America with their policies and conservatives kill it with greed and indifference. To me, both parties are heads feeding the same stomach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“To me, both parties are heads feeding the same stomach.”
It’s got to mean something that we can relate to when the Bible is so chock full of images of multi-headed monsters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always you make a lot of sense and I especially enjoyed reading this post.
“And if gender is just a social construct, well than I have socially constructed two genders and I am entitled to not just tolerance, but also some parades and balloons.”
I would also offer champagne and caviar for your party. But, isn’t it probably the case that these people, if I may call them such, got it exactly bass ackwards? Hasn’t gender constructed our human society, rather than the other way around? Or put another way, isn’t the fantasy of our society constructed according to the concrete reality of “gender?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words.
Quite true, the concrete reality of gender is what has constructed human society, and even what has constructed us as individuals!
LikeLike
Citizens fining political liars is a very satisfying picture … so long as the government can’t pay it with tax money! More seriously, don’t human civilizations display lifetimes, ending when too many citizens no longer cherish the zeitgeist? And if digital money is a leash, at least it could make Paypal superfluous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bravo! What a great idea on your part! :)))))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to see the pushback
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are amazing! Thank you so much! May Jesus bless you with all abundance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: What One Man Can Do, Another Can Do | Σ Frame