Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Game

"You have to understand that many people are not ready to be unplugged, and many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it." Matrix

Oligarchy:
An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, military might, or religious hegemony.

The powerful corporate elite have always exercised an inordinate share of power in America. They leverage their power to influence and shape domestic and foreign policy through political contributions and lobbying. This is nothing new.

Historically, most Americans have understood and complied with the Golden Rule - he who has the gold rules - just as long as the average guy can get a piece of the American pie.

However, in recent decades, the average Joe/Jane middle-class has been getting the squeeze. Economic globalization means bye-bye to many living wage jobs and hello to a cheaper labor force.

Amid rising frustration among middle-class America of all hues, recent propaganda has pitted red state v. blue, rural against urban, black v. white, immigrant v. citizen and so on and so on.

Appeal for Wisdom:

When someone tries to whip me up into an emotional frenzy, I try to step back and peep the game. I try to step back and allow for some critical thinking. I check out and identify who wins in this arrangement.

Then, I try to drop some science...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A New - New Deal

The average Tea Bagger, who is woofing and yapping loudly against Obamacare, will greatly benefit from Health Care Reform. While the bill is not perfect, even President Obama admits as much, it is a great step forward in strengthening our country, economy and the much overlooked middle-class.

In Dude, Where's My Country, Michael Moore points out, Roosevelt's New Deal had created a massive middle class and the gap between rich and poor had actually decreased 7.4 percent form 1947 to 1968.

By contrast, the income disparity between poor/middle-class and rich has exponentially grown in the last 30 years. In fact, a recent study done by University of California Berkley reports the income gap is at an all time high:

Income inequality in the United States is at an all-time high, surpassing even levels seen during the Great Depression...in the economic expansion of 2002-2007, the top 1 percent captured two thirds of income growth.

Why are the Tea Baggers so blindly following Republican rhetoric, once again, Michael Moore states:

I believe that many are lost in their own anger and have been manipulated by propaganda intended to get their blood boiling. The corporate, religious, and political chieftains know just which buttons to push to get otherwise decent and well-meaning people on their side.