Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1327 Eloquent Tongue (First Update)

“Only those who perform miracles according to the holy book are prophets; otherwise, they are false prophets. Therefore, candidates must make decisions that align with the doctrine.” Steve Rogers opened his data panel and recounted an email exchange between himself and the Emperor. They were currently fifteen minutes away from the nearest military base, from which they would take off for the capital. He needed to prepare his companions and familiarize them with potential enemies. “I must warn you, never believe what he says,” he told his companions. “He himself admitted to me that it was a rhetorical technique, a manipulative tactic designed to get me into Latvia as propaganda material; it has no practical guiding significance.”

"You mean, this is deception?" James Buchanan Barnes raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you bring us to Latvia?"

“It’s not entirely deception, Bucky.” Steve Rogers frowned, seemingly considering how to explain. “It’s sophistry, a shallow argument, meant to entice me to Latvia. He told me he had to obfuscate some more important factors in the causal chain, elevating the secondary to the primary. There are facts involved, but you have to discern for yourself; accepting everything is tantamount to being bewitched. He’s a charismatic man, which is why we need to be especially careful; he’s more dangerous than Loki. But he’s reliable because he keeps his promises.”

"I don't mind listening; I hear politicians' nonsense every year anyway," Sam Wilson shrugged. "And what he said to you had an elitist flavor, like the farts of an Ivy League social science professor."

Although Latvinia offered them political asylum, he felt no gratitude whatsoever, knowing it was a political act, much like Russia's asylum of Snowden. According to Steve Rogers, the Emperor believed representative elections were a thoroughly elitist game, where politicians could abandon all promises once in power—a fact even Sam Wilson had to acknowledge. The Emperor considered fanatical electoral politics no different from idolatry, the only difference being that idolatry changed periodically, and the idols were not just individuals but political ideologies. James Buchanan Barnes nodded, indicating his willingness to hear the explanations that had led them to this position.

Steve Rogers continued reading only after confirming that they had all been warned.

"In electoral politics, candidates are merely vehicles for a certain political proposition. It is not the candidates who choose the political proposition, but the political proposition that chooses the candidates, just as God chose Abraham and Moses, whose political proposition is the promise to guide the electorate (believers) to the Promised Land."

Sam Wilson exclaimed in a low voice, feigning exclamation, "That's a bit blasphemous, please continue."

"To gain more and more steadfast voters, candidates' platforms inevitably become extreme, just like Protestantism versus Catholicism, or Puritanism versus Protestantism. They gain staunch supporters by constantly demonstrating their purity and fundamentalism. In this process, politicians become parasitic on their own beliefs." Steve Rogers paused, his finger sliding to the next page. He read in a dry voice, "The perfect supporter in a politician's mind is someone who can board the Mayflower—the most devout and also the most extreme believers. Following this logic, the white right wing in red states and the white left wing in blue states are actually the result of extreme electoral politics, an inevitable consequence of voters who cannot shed superstitious thinking and cannot view things dialectically. Republicans advocate for family, religion, and working-class welfare; Democrats advocate for diversity, inclusion, environmental protection, and so on. No matter how correct their propositions are or how many people they benefit, they will inevitably become extreme, because this is the only way for politicians to stand out from those who share the same views."

"That makes sense." Sam Wilson frowned. "Anything else?"

"What's even more tragic is that no matter what political stance voters support or what kind of leaders they support, they cannot change the fact that the new aristocracy, who control a lot of wealth, are the real power holders. The interests of party funders are protected in the process of extremism because everyone forgets that they are the ones who really cause conflicts and social injustices. Instead, they should thank these people for the jobs they have provided."

Steve Rogers noticed that Sam Wilson's past beliefs were being challenged, as the soldier's forehead was sweating, just as it had when he first saw the email. So he slowed his speech to avoid Sam Wilson falling into the same confusion he had once felt.

"These people are spread across small towns, cities, countries, and the entire world, forming a network of relationships from country clubs to high-end clubs in Washington. They can freely enter the White House, send lobbyists to change policies, and recruit politicians to work in corporations so they can continue to exploit their connections. They can use the means of production at their disposal to profit themselves, earning money that ordinary people would take thousands of years to earn even if they never work. The drinking water of Southern California residents will never be as important as the irrigation water of orchards for farmers in Northern California. Clean water is only for the fruit trees that can create value for farmers. Ordinary people cannot directly provide value to farmers, and politicians supported by farmers have no obligation to guarantee the drinking water for ordinary people in Southern California. Even more tragically, votes are merely a tool to make voters think they are important. Different parties have the same supporters, and the extreme competition that voters see is nothing more than a process of political parties tearing each other apart and fighting for power to obtain more political donations."

After hearing these words, Sam Wilson fell completely silent.

He had never met the Emperor before, and only now did he understand what kind of person Steve Rogers was dealing with. Such words were utter heresy for a representative electoral system, and they also denied the American Dream of transcending class. It took an incredibly strong will to maintain one's principles in the face of such a person. James Buchanan Barnes picked up the data panel and examined it carefully. He had to admit that he found the Emperor's somewhat biased and generalized argument somewhat to his liking.

"Don't take it so seriously. This isn't fact, it's sophistry, and besides, he has a lot more vicious things he hasn't said yet!" Steve Rogers patted Sam on the shoulder, the smell of gunpowder still lingering on their combat gear. The Latvian emperor he knew was a ruthless man, merciless in words and extremely decisive in action; the only reason that guy was still alive was because no one could beat him. "Latvian isn't a paradise. While he did solve many problems, such as Romania's sewer children and human trafficking, that doesn't make him a good person. Don't forget how many wealthy people, officials, and business owners he killed to subdue Romania. I don't believe it was the Romanians' own choice. I need your help, just like during the Hydra rebellion. I won't abandon my moral principles to pander to any regime."

"You mean when he punched me in the face a few times?"

Steve Rogers gave his friend a reproachful look.

"You know why I did that, Bucky, it was just to wake you up."

"I know, I know. Don't be nervous, I was just joking." James Buchanan Barnes laughed, easing the somewhat somber atmosphere in the carriage. "I'll help you, but what if they send in genetically modified soldiers? We have no help, no one will lend a hand. Besides, if he wants to kill us, he doesn't need any help, because he's as powerful as Thor. We need a detailed plan, only a very detailed plan can ensure our survival."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)