State of exception representation and congressional immunity (Agamben, 15)
Schmidt introduced a state of exception denoting the ability of the sovereign to transcend the rule of law. While this eventually reflected the nazi suppression of civil rights to create the third reich it is telling how the concept still holds sway in democracies.
Democracies are not in a state of exception but exception is how they believe they exist. The marital law model imprinted in Schmidt’s analysis is different in the cemented democratic continuity. The point isn’t that congress openly suspends the rule of law but that it irresponsibly affords itself immunities unbecoming of a government. The exceptionalism of the government is evidently its own elitist mantra. Schmidt painted this as a historical development towards tyranny but it actually marks a realisation in democratic societies. The reason for such suspension is not solely a tyrannical technique but mimicked. The tyrant suspending the law is copying the governmental officials. The fall of the Roman Republic was due to the internal governmental corruptions. Senators were criminals. They were tyrants. Leaders without accountability living free of the law. It is only natural that someone will grow sick of their charade and commit the same devilish act they were. Fighting fire with fire. Receiving the deserved punishment for tanking the nation under their corrupted egoism. If governmental officials believed themselves to be above the law, obviously a tyrant would do the same then subjugate them for the error of their ways.
Plato was correct concerning democratic fallibility. The democratic rule eventually led to tyrannical reign. So the senators were elected, it didn’t make them any nicer nor generous. They were placed in power and represented their own interests instead of the job they were appointed. Instead of a single leader, there were multiple leaders either colluding or individually committing crimes. The belief that elections and multiple officials in any ways dissuades corruption is mightily false. An illusion based on liberal thinking. It must be better than a monarch at least. Yet the illusionary detail of democratic liberty is at stake. If anything, the prevalent governmental criminal activity undermines democracy. Adding on their lack of accountability demurs honest democratic process. There are rules for everyone except those in power. It doesn’t matter the gender, race or ethnicity. Power is immunity. Stay long enough in the government and criminal activity is projected ten folds. Placed in a position to help the public and instead turn their backs on the hopeful.
Governmental officials are situated in an elite class. Most draw from the wealthier part of life but even if not, the realm of elected officials is filled with responsibility and prestige. This prestige commands respect and receives access. Insider knowledge used for personal stakes especially in the market is incredibly devious and unfair. Yet it is those making the decisions who have the knowledge at their fingertips. Making decisions for their wellbeing. Whether or not it aids the public is at times irrelevant. The nation is forced to follow certain rules, well that is for the commoner. The elite can slip past those rules. Covid restrictions only apply to the average person. Legislators can do whatever. Since there is no one to stop them and no one who can punish them. They are immune. They make the rules and do whatever they wish. Whenever a scandal emerges it is swept under the rug. Backlash is derided by the media and ignored by the spokespeople. Horrid representatives who act as they please with little accountability. Who will lock them up? Who will risk the charges? They are elected officials. They are immensely important? Do not raise a finger against them. They are greater than you. Winning an election has propelled their status. They are elites. How dare you oppose them. Bend the knee commoner.
It is only the officials whose family is immune to scrutiny. Legislate huge punishments for drugs crimes but your addict son is free of charge. Sell out your country to other nations for personal profit. Care more about a dishonest country than native sufferers. Push a disastrous war for military weaponry. No punishments and no apologies. The media hounding those who question such authority. The government can never be wrong. Deja vu is occurring. Was Orwell correct? Abandoned principles punishing the citizenry. Officials are immune to scrutiny. Screw up, kill thousands no jail time. Lie under oath, kill millions still in charge. Governmental immunity and irresponsibility has destroyed the lives of citizens and yet they live scot free in mansions. They reside on a separate wavelength. One not prone to right or wrong. One not tested with average problems. There is no accountability. There is no respect. It is a self interested device for personal gain. Nothing changes. The system is problematic. It cultivates an elitist division. They live out there without any moral compass. There is no reprisal for any wrongdoing. A half witted public apology does not bring the dead back to life. Shrug it off and continue massacring.
Officials stand behind the state. A smokescreen for their affairs. The state can invade privacy, the state can attack citizens. It is the state. They are always in the right. Yet it is not the state, it is individuals using a position to leverage constructed superiority. Coining state power to derail other potential adversaries. Individuals make up the state. It is in their interest not the state. They claim to speak for the state but they are not the state. The state is the people. The people are what matters not the elected idiots who propel their own careers over citizen needs. Legislators will so much power they exert it in separating themselves from any commoner’s hurtful life. The state is them and they can do whatever. With a politicised court, there isn’t much officials cannot pass through. It is all about what they can get. What can the state take from people. Raise taxes help rich folk screw over the poor. A classic cycle in repetition. A never-ending circle of despair. Those who speak up are eliminated or excommunicated. There isn’t much to be done. There is a way of life in the government that colludes undermines and attacks citizens. It works against the people’s aspirations and destroys their dreams.
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