Page 7 - Discover Summer 2020

course to blame leadership for not doing enough at Columbia University in 1966. In a nutshell,
to prevent its spread. it suggests overwhelming the welfare state by
making as many people as possible dependent
Now there are people who claim that this
on the government for their subsistence. They
virus was intentionally produced in order to harm
believed that doing so would overload the welfare
the world economy, and in particular, that of the
state to the point of collapse, which would then
United States. We don’t know that for certain,
pave the way for a socialist state with a guaranteed
but if I were interested in establishing totalitarian
universal basic income.
rule, and this handy tool fell into my lap, I believe
that I would use it to my advantage. This pandemic would surely come in handy as
a tool to realize that goal. By forcing people to
I believe that I would create as much fear as
stay home, and forcing businesses to close, I could
possible in the general public, not only of this
create economic duress. I could then relieve that
virus, but of how easily it could spread. Steven
duress by giving “emergency relief ”, but not just
Spielberg (JAWS) and Ridley Scott (ALIEN)
to some – to everyone. Naturally, this would create
clearly demonstrated that there’s nothing that is
conflict between those who truly needed help
so frightening to us as an unseen enemy. To that
and those who didn’t. If I continued to extend the
end, people would need to be afraid, not only of
perceived threat to health and safety, more long-
those who were sick, but also those who were
term solutions would be justified.
carrying the virus without any signs or symptoms

of illness. Thus, no matter whom you touched, you Eventually, many businesses that had been
could become infected. forced to close “temporarily” would be forced
to close permanently. Unemployment would
The severity of the illness would also need to
skyrocket. I think, for added measure, that I would
be made clear. Therefore, I would make every
make unemployment as lucrative as possible, to
effort to blame as many deaths as 'possible on the
discourage people from finding alternative work
virus, in order to artificially inflate the death rate.
or starting their own independent businesses.
I would also take steps to blur any demographic
I’d be paying the people with money that I don’t
distinctions among victims. Anyone can get it,
have… so I’d just keep printing more. This would
and anyone who contracts it could die.
result in an inflationary spiral, and with any luck,
One of the hallmarks of the totalitarian state economic collapse.
is fierce loyalty to the state, which is managed by
Lucky for you, dear readers, I am not in charge
fear. Neighbors betray neighbors, friends turn on
of anything… and even if I were, I have no desire
friends, and children turn in their parents. Thus
to make any of this happen. I’m only telling you
when the state speaks, people obey. I would find
what I would do if I were in charge, and I desired
ways to encourage such behavior.
a totalitarian state.
If I wanted to create a totalitarian state, I
Rest easy, my friends.
would employ the Cloward – Piven strategy,
which was formulated by two sociology professors

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