DEEP STATE METASTASIZED
Guest post by John L. Kachelman, Jr
“Instead of politicians, let the monkeys govern the countries; at least they will steal only the bananas!” This quote well serves to frame the current feelings of citizens in many nations of the world!
Over the past thirty years I have worked with forty different foreign nations and the USA. I can honestly say that in ALL nations, I have wrestled and continue to wrestle with corruption from the politicians and the bureaucrats. It is a constant and discouraging struggle not only for those seeking to assist but for those citizens in each nation. In every action, the right thing to do is opposed by arrogant, callous greed and discouragement is increased by ignorant critics. Often, I am tempted to throw up my hands and say “Forget it all!” But then the commitment to right overrules and I return once again to the war against corruption’s obfuscation.
In 2017 the term “Deep State (DS)” entered use and referred to the idea that there is a cadre of career employees inside a government who are working to manipulate government policy and undermine elected leaders or political appointees by slow-walking requests or dribbling leaks of classified information. These people are positioned in the military, intelligence fields, elected offices, and every bureaucratic agency.
I addressed this evil in an earlier article noting: Undergirding all governing is a large minion of faceless workers. These are the “Chiefs.” And the “Chiefs” actually run operations. Those elected are the “Faces”; those in the background are the “Chiefs.”
Our current national distress is fueled by the disintegration of civility, by the devilish strategy to divide the population with hate-filled propaganda ploys, and by dissolving our personal and national security. We stand in a precarious position orchestrated by the Deep State. It is discouraging.
But! Our current situation is not unique in the world’s history. Historical facts buttress our faith against fear. Our confidence can be firm. Our resolve must be deliberate.
Recently I was reminded of the historical fact of the DS unraveling a government. This first account takes us back to the later years of the Roman Empire. Read and observe how closely the politics then are practiced now.
The Praetorian Guard began as a loyal elite unit. They were trusted and committed to the rule of law and civility. However, their reputation was compromised and their splendor was replaced with ruthless greed. When Emperor Commodus was killed in 192 AD, Emperor Pertinax took the throne hoping to correct the national decline. Pertinax realized that Rome’s treasury was empty, the legions were being over-paid, and financial ruin was soon to come.
When a new Emperor took the throne it was customary to give a large donation to the Praetorians. By this point, the Praetorians held the only weapons in Rome—thus giving them all the power. Pertinax paid the Praetorians but the Praetorians complained that it was not enough. The Praetorians respond by killing Pertinax.
But there was a problem—with whom would they replace Pertinax? Usually, when you killed an Emperor you have his replacement ready to go. Usually, this replacement has made deals with the Praetorians to pay everyone obscene amounts of money once he becomes Emperor.
The Praetorians did not have a successor so, they auctioned the throne to the highest bidder.
A Senator named Didius Julianus won. He met with the Senate and tried to comfort them by reminding them that he was one of them.
The Senate, the people, and the Legions were furious. The commanders of the frontier legions turned and marched on Rome. The Praetorians surrendered.
Didius was executed, his last words being “but what evil have I done, who have I killed.”
The Praetorians were disbanded and further devolved into a group of lazy political thugs.
A sobering historical constant…the unraveling of a nation’s civility begins when the politicians surrender the nation’s interests for personal greed and the instruments of national justice surrender the principles of justice for personal proclivities! Destruction is guaranteed. Even those in ruling status are not immune to certain destruction.
Didius the Senator and the Praetorians followed their delusions into destruction. This is a constant that is unyielding and absolute.
Those in positions of governing today (elected or bureaucratic) should fear because they are approaching an appointment with this historical constant! They may protest “What evil have I done?” but the politicians and bureaucrats will not be excused.
Look now to the year 612 BC for another illustration of the DS treachery. Another government had fallen into dysfunction. The citizens pleaded for divine help but none appeared. A prophet spoke: “How long, Lord, have I called for help, and You do not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save. Why do You make me see disaster, and make me look at destitution? Yes, devastation and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises. Therefore, the Law is ignored, and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore, justice comes out confused.” (The Bible, Habakkuk 1:2-4).
The situation sounds as if it is today’s news. Civility has vanished. Governing has become corrupt. Justice is “never upheld.”
The perplexity of the prophet and people was not left unanswered. The Almighty God replied, “Look! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days—You would not believe it even if you were told!” (1:5). The perplexed prophet agreed to wait for the unbelievable to occur, but in the meantime, he was expected to continue his discouraging labor to expose and confront the evil injustices and ungodliness of his day.
The lessons buttress our hope
…accountability is assured—no one will escape; each will be held responsible!
…lazy political thugs further devolve—exposure is assured; true character will emerge!
…national conscience is critical—our nation is not past hope IF the national conscience lives!
…politicians will answer and bureaucrats will be judged—civil function integrity can be restored!
…consequences will be certain—it will be horrific and the guilty will be speechless!
…the Deep State will be Deep Six—they will not continue!
…God will not be mocked—He is working an unbelievable work in the midst of evil!
The Nuremberg and Tokyo trials emphasized that transcending norms govern all humanity. These norms cannot be set aside by national laws, selfish politicians, arrogant bureaucrats, or revisionist progressives. This conclusion is validated by historical constants.
It is past time for the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government to face these historical facts. To them I say, “YOU have the opportunity to do what is right for this nation! YOU can stop and stand and join with others to return our nation to its position. YOUR day of reckoning, as to how you governed, is coming so prepare to meet YOUR God!”
It is time for the general population to realize the tragic state into which our nation has devolved—hatred, division, and ungodliness headline a long list of accepted actions that are unraveling the fabric of our nation’s conscience. The answer is not in the State’s power but in the hands of each citizen. There is a call to action—Hold the elected accountable! Prosecute punishment for the criminal!
