Each time I consider posting, I’m utterly dismayed by the most recent current events. I end up taking a day or two away from the problems, but they seem to grow exponentially. This, of course, makes me “feel” the need for another sabbatical … well, you get the idea. However, it seems with or without me, the nation flounders daily into the abyss of a failed empire.
Today, it’s a foregone conclusion that our nation is now an oligarchy, with no end in sight. Perhaps, with political will, and public pressure maybe 2024, or 2032 even? Do you have another 10 or 18 years worth of fortitude to spare? I know I don’t want to consider having to muster even more, and most I know do not want to either.
I think most of us knew, but refused to accept our reality as “citizens” in the United States. We as average individuals have absolutely zero impact on national policy. Our voices go completely unheard, literally. It’s been growing in effect for decades. Ah, deregulation plus Ronald Reagan, and a merry band of neo-cons are the gifts that keep on giving. Of course, “the elite,” those “one percenters” are truly the winners in the complete decimation of our American way of life, and the social contracts we chose to make even longer ago.
Of course, recently we knew something was horribly awry when Congressman Brad Sherman says something about martial law if monies are not released “right fricking now” for the Wall Street bailouts in 2008 (2008!). Of course, for the most part, this was nothing more than swinging the stick of fear. Here is the rest of his statement: Part 2, and Part 3.
In 2009 (2009!), the Atlantic published this article, “The Quiet Coup,” by Simon Johnson, and we’re far worse off now. Again, we’ve been warned, and warned. Why aren’t we listening? That’s the $64,000 question.
Today, it’s laughable that anything meaningful will occur. Members of both parties are merely lining their own pockets, and have an ever easier time duping the people with the tools provided by corporate media. Each have become parasitical in their pursuit of the big money lobbying gig after their “service to the country” (italicized for extreme sarcasm).
The right suggests that the Obama administration is foisting a leftist, progressive, uber-liberal, communist plot upon America, but he’s at best a moderate republican. What, if anything (other than overt military excursions), has this administration deviated from since “Chimp Boy?” This administration knows no bounds in blowing off campaign promises like addressing NAFTA, and the Patriot Act, et al. Of course, we were tired of secrets, but now we live with even more. While it’s been nominally better than having “the Chimp” sit in the catbird seat, it’s not near what the voter sought in casting their ballots.
The left doesn’t seem to be able to gain any momentum or traction towards the ongoing push back that is necessary, so it’s all Kabuke Theater, at best. Anything that does get done is meaningless, a give away, a mish-mash of gobbledy-gook designed to sound great. Of course, there are as many “corporate friendly” democrats as there are republicans. Thank you, George McGovern, and organized labor.
The corporate hierarchy is rapacious at best with the average CEO making 331 times the average worker (and that average worker made a little over $30,000 a year). I know many people that are struggling to survive, and would love to make near $25,000. I would suggest that for a fairly sizable section of our populace, it’s even more out of whack. Billionaires from both sides of the aisle (i.e., the Kochs & Peterson, et al) wonder why cries of inequality are growing. They are growing, aren’t they?
It seems someone read the previous paragraph:
The report, by the public policy group Demos, concludes the fast-food industry has the most extreme pay disparity of all the sectors in the U.S. economy, with a CEO-to-worker pay ratio now exceeding 1,000 to 1. – via NPR.org
Just to be clear on the subject of fast-food positions, NOT all are filled by teenagers. In many cases, the jobholder realizes the position is beneath them, but it is all they can obtain. Sadly, I’ve encountered many people who have degrees, did everything right, paid their bills, stayed out of trouble, and still can’t find something more commensurate with their abilities, and expertise. This is in a metropolitan area to boot. While some would counter with, “further your education,” or “move to where the jobs are,” these are platitudes, at best, as they don’t seem to consider the real world ramifications in actually doing so.
Of course, the “corporate friendly” high court of the land has basically given a green-light to the oligarchs in their pursuits of tightening their grip of complete power, and control. Now, the people can’t hold any faith in their local governments, given the ruling in McCutcheon vs. FEC. Not that there was much faith to begin with, but there was a tiny glimmer of hope in having a voice, somewhere.
The list goes on, and on (for example, the Trans-Pacific Partnership).
Again, what is needed to awaken the masses to the reality of having the well-being of their immediate futures (perhaps even their long term futures), and that of their children’s ripped away, blatantly, and out in the open? Will it take as long as it takes to outright kill or bleed the entitlement programs, and social safety nets dry? Will it take 40-60% poverty rates? What will be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back in demanding our voices be heard? Or even realizing we have one?
Hmm, wonder what’s on Netflix? /snark/
