Demonstrations of Power

12-17-25 Op-Ed

The exercise of governmental power can be benevolent. But in our current circumstances, the power of the US government is being wielded by men who are power-drunk.
Adam Smith described this condition as “love of domination and authority and the
pleasure men take in having everything done by their express orders.” The maintenance of corrupt power requires the continually demonstration of that power. To keep the people subordinate and submissive, they must be made aware of the authoritarian’s power.
Demonstration of corrupt power can be accomplished in several ways:
1. Bullying, humiliation, and intimidation (Name-calling and demeaning of
opponents or minority groups): Somalis are garbage. Women are pigs, stupid – “When you are a star, you can do anything.” Cruel, aggressive, put-down humor.
2. Extortion, threat: “Do what I say or else. Bend to my will or I will hurt you.” Universities turn over education control to the government or lose funding. Businesses to stop DEI or lose government contracts. Business enterprises are to give the government controlling shares to get
favorable treatment (state capitalism).
3. Bribery and graft: $300 million luxury jet from Qatar for a military base in Colorado. Pay-to-play pardons. Trump golf courses, resorts, and towers around the world. Mega corporations donate to the ballroom, get favors.
4. Injury for injury’s sake (Cause suffering for the pleasure of it): Summary firing of federal workers, destroying their lives. Withhold food aid from starving families around the world.
Sexual assault.
5. And the ultimate demonstration of power: killing with impunity. Withhold medicine from sick children resulting in their death. Use missiles to kill noncombatants on small boats, including survivors adrift in the water. Lord Acton, in 1887, referring to monarchs, stated, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” And that’s what we have today, Absolute Corruption.

Ray Dennis
Susquehanna