4 ms·

He claimed also to have been approached to be installed as dictator of the US. He immediately exposed the plot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot ht

He claimed also to have been approached to be installed as dictator of the US. He immediately exposed the plot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot

wyldberry 3y ago
The real question is: if it's true, what do you think those who tried learned from it? Did they find a way to achieve their goal without any outright observable changes from the public's perspective?
- z3c0 3y ago
  Yes, mostly through the ideas of Edward Bernays and Ivy Lee.
- pphysch 3y ago
  It sure puts the 60s in a new light.
- mrguyorama 3y ago
  Nobody went to jail, the united states is primarily run by business interests since the 80s, and facism is alive and well in the states. It sounds to me like they got exactly what they wanted, just had to be patient.
  - knute 3y ago
    > the united states is primarily run by business interests since the 80s The 1880s.
    - mrguyorama 3y ago
      Arguably the revolution was heavily motivated by business interests. Arguably.
    - dragonwriter 3y ago
      The 1780s. And earlier, but then it was Britain being run by business interests, and the main reason for the US becoming independent was conflict between local and remote business interests. (Particularly, North American interests and regulation serving the East India Company.)
maksimur 3y ago
Dictator of the US. That's one of the weirdest things I have ever heard. But I know once upon a time that word had no negative connotation. Just like fascism after all.
- tonetheman 3y ago
  Not really Trump was planning the same thing a few years ago. Hopefully the Republicans choose an adult this time who will not try that again but that is doubtful given the choices so far.
  - mrguyorama 3y ago
    The two front runners are Trump again or wannabe Theocratic Dictator. There's no hope.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
Eumenes 3y ago
FDR was a borderline dictator, so this is ironic.
- pphysch 3y ago
  Even if he was, he clearly represented the national/public interest. These guys wanted an entirely different flavor of dictator.
  - Eumenes 3y ago
    yeah no doubt, he was popular, mostly because of great depression social programs and war ... but he also expanded executive power and ultimately led us on a path to the welfare state status we're at today.
    - mrguyorama 3y ago
      Calling the modern USA a welfare state is laughable.
    - pphysch 3y ago
      It is remarkable that the totally ahistorical narrative of "FDR ruined the US (economy), Reagan saved it" is still popular outside of the elite whom it benefits. Propaganda works.
      - mrguyorama 3y ago
        "Welfare queen" stereotypes are still alive and well on the Right, despite there NEVER BEING A WELFARE QUEEN. It was a complete fabrication. Maybe they haven't had a great grip on reality for quite some time, or at least a willingness to ignore it.
    - timschmidt 3y ago
      > led us on a path to the welfare state You may be interested in this pamphlet written by founding father Thomas Paine: https://www.ssa.gov/history/tpaine3.html https://www.ssa.gov/history/tpaine3.html
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
VagueMag 3y ago
The movie AMSTERDAM which came out recently touches on the Business Plot, and themes of sub rosa fascists and Nazis in the American ruling class more generally. Fairly worth a watch if you're interested in history viewed through this sort of parapolitical lens.

He claimed also to have been approached to be installed as dictator of the US. He immediately exposed the plot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot

wyldberry 3y ago

The real question is: if it's true, what do you think those who tried learned from it? Did they find a way to achieve their goal without any outright observable changes from the public's perspective?

z3c0 3y ago
Yes, mostly through the ideas of Edward Bernays and Ivy Lee.
pphysch 3y ago
It sure puts the 60s in a new light.
mrguyorama 3y ago
Nobody went to jail, the united states is primarily run by business interests since the 80s, and facism is alive and well in the states. It sounds to me like they got exactly what they wanted, just had to be patient.
- knute 3y ago
  > the united states is primarily run by business interests since the 80s The 1880s.
  - mrguyorama 3y ago
    Arguably the revolution was heavily motivated by business interests. Arguably.
  - dragonwriter 3y ago
    The 1780s. And earlier, but then it was Britain being run by business interests, and the main reason for the US becoming independent was conflict between local and remote business interests. (Particularly, North American interests and regulation serving the East India Company.)

maksimur 3y ago

Dictator of the US. That's one of the weirdest things I have ever heard. But I know once upon a time that word had no negative connotation. Just like fascism after all.

tonetheman 3y ago
Not really Trump was planning the same thing a few years ago. Hopefully the Republicans choose an adult this time who will not try that again but that is doubtful given the choices so far.
- mrguyorama 3y ago
  The two front runners are Trump again or wannabe Theocratic Dictator. There's no hope.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

Eumenes 3y ago

FDR was a borderline dictator, so this is ironic.

pphysch 3y ago
Even if he was, he clearly represented the national/public interest. These guys wanted an entirely different flavor of dictator.
- Eumenes 3y ago
  yeah no doubt, he was popular, mostly because of great depression social programs and war ... but he also expanded executive power and ultimately led us on a path to the welfare state status we're at today.
  - mrguyorama 3y ago
    Calling the modern USA a welfare state is laughable.
  - pphysch 3y ago
    It is remarkable that the totally ahistorical narrative of "FDR ruined the US (economy), Reagan saved it" is still popular outside of the elite whom it benefits. Propaganda works.
    - mrguyorama 3y ago
      "Welfare queen" stereotypes are still alive and well on the Right, despite there NEVER BEING A WELFARE QUEEN. It was a complete fabrication. Maybe they haven't had a great grip on reality for quite some time, or at least a willingness to ignore it.
  - timschmidt 3y ago
    > led us on a path to the welfare state You may be interested in this pamphlet written by founding father Thomas Paine: https://www.ssa.gov/history/tpaine3.html https://www.ssa.gov/history/tpaine3.html

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

VagueMag 3y ago

The movie AMSTERDAM which came out recently touches on the Business Plot, and themes of sub rosa fascists and Nazis in the American ruling class more generally. Fairly worth a watch if you're interested in history viewed through this sort of parapolitical lens.