I just finished Adam Hichschild’s book, American Midnight, which tells a similar American situation from a hundred years ago: vicious government and business class attacks upon socialists, “reds”, immigrants, unionists, and those who had a different vision for America. The result was that just about all progressive (the parlance of the times) improvements were set back or set aside. Capitalism needs enemies, real or imagined. Today with the capital class ruling with near impunity its foes are feeble. There are no major trade unions. There are no major 3rd parties. But the system has taught itself that it must always be on the offensive. It must constantly be looking for those who whisper apostasy. Should democracy - with its tempting premise of free speech - be exempt from criticism? Of course not. The only tie that binds us together is this concept of democracy, it is the last device that might still be able to reign in this demonic economic system known as capitalism, before it destroys us and the world. In a restorative democracy, we the people have the perfect right to decide on every issue. It would not include changing this institution to, for example, a facist dictatorship! Yet, if we 50% +1 agree, we can make a choice for a much more affirming choice of working and living. That is the scenario that sometimes disturbs the sleep of the ruling class, in their mansions and yachts, at night.
But lo behold, the corporate savings in, high value money market funds, open only to corporations, (not where mom and pop put their money) remains bloated post covid:
In the essay, Paul emphasizes that what is needed is civil disobedience. Naturally, he’s entirely right none of “the outlawing of child labor, Social Security, the federal minimum wage, union organizing and collective bargaining rights, workers’ compensation, subsidized housing, the end of formal segregation in the South, occupational safety, environmental and consumer protections, and yes, the right to an abortion.” came possible without taking to the streets. Americans are lazy and rudimentary, or don’t want to get involved for one reason or another. What is desperately needed is a raging fire under their/our asses to realize that fascism is happening here, before it’s extremely late.
My problem, like with, so many, is that real leadership is needed, someone with the know-how, skills, and experience to lead such a movement. All this talk about the right and its corrupt takeover of the country means nothing if we don’t respond in kind. It would be simply talking, and talk is cheap.
I just finished Adam Hichschild’s book, American Midnight, which tells a similar American situation from a hundred years ago: vicious government and business class attacks upon socialists, “reds”, immigrants, unionists, and those who had a different vision for America. The result was that just about all progressive (the parlance of the times) improvements were set back or set aside. Capitalism needs enemies, real or imagined. Today with the capital class ruling with near impunity its foes are feeble. There are no major trade unions. There are no major 3rd parties. But the system has taught itself that it must always be on the offensive. It must constantly be looking for those who whisper apostasy. Should democracy - with its tempting premise of free speech - be exempt from criticism? Of course not. The only tie that binds us together is this concept of democracy, it is the last device that might still be able to reign in this demonic economic system known as capitalism, before it destroys us and the world. In a restorative democracy, we the people have the perfect right to decide on every issue. It would not include changing this institution to, for example, a facist dictatorship! Yet, if we 50% +1 agree, we can make a choice for a much more affirming choice of working and living. That is the scenario that sometimes disturbs the sleep of the ruling class, in their mansions and yachts, at night.
An excellent summary of capitalism and its ills.
They keep saying "the common man" is spent. The covid savings of individuals, as a category is now depleted: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=Zj0V
But lo behold, the corporate savings in, high value money market funds, open only to corporations, (not where mom and pop put their money) remains bloated post covid:
https://www.financialresearch.gov/money-market-funds/
All those financial channels, all that noise, all that hot air. No mention. no outrage.
In the essay, Paul emphasizes that what is needed is civil disobedience. Naturally, he’s entirely right none of “the outlawing of child labor, Social Security, the federal minimum wage, union organizing and collective bargaining rights, workers’ compensation, subsidized housing, the end of formal segregation in the South, occupational safety, environmental and consumer protections, and yes, the right to an abortion.” came possible without taking to the streets. Americans are lazy and rudimentary, or don’t want to get involved for one reason or another. What is desperately needed is a raging fire under their/our asses to realize that fascism is happening here, before it’s extremely late.
My problem, like with, so many, is that real leadership is needed, someone with the know-how, skills, and experience to lead such a movement. All this talk about the right and its corrupt takeover of the country means nothing if we don’t respond in kind. It would be simply talking, and talk is cheap.