http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7046844Oh my.
The large-proboscised primitive, Oscar Wilde, for the second time today:
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 10:35 AM
Original message
America is run by a criminal enterprise
If you’re caught with an ounce of weed, you’re a “criminal.†But if you own the majority of people who make the laws, then you’re not a “criminal†no matter what you do.
So let’s get real. You, I, and virtually everyone we know are under the thumb of the biggest criminal enterprise in the history of the world – corporate America. Those who don’t understand that are caught up in a “Matrix-like†dream world.
What’s so frustrating is that perhaps as little as one or two percent of the population controls all the rest of us. For the most part, they decide what people get to read, hear, and see; what we pay for food, water, electricity and almost everything else; and who gets to define “right†and “wrong.â€
About the only place where true freedom still exists is right here on the web.
And somehow, while the web is still wide open, we have to figure out how to break free from the bondage under which we all suffer. However, given most of human history, it’s just a question of time before they also control what we can say and see here.
Some of you will agree with me, some of you will call me paranoid, and some of you will bury your heads in the sand. Nonetheless, I’d really like to hear from anyone with an idea as to how we can free ourselves from our corporate masters.
Well, the internet's pretty much freed Republicans and conservatives from the slandering influence of the "mainstream" news media.
The bitter old Vermontese cali primitive:
cali (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 10:46 AM
Response to Original message
3. My kid got caught with about half an ounce of weed last year.
He was fined. It was a misdemeanor charge. If he's in no trouble with the law for three years his record will be wiped clean.
cali (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 10:50 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. I don't think so. I think it was quite fair.
He knew it was against the law. And his penchant for smoking while driving was cut short. Fine with me.
Oscar Wilde, impatient that the topic has gotten off-track, tries again:
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 11:24 AM
Response to Reply #12
14. It really is all about money
I knew a "union delegate" a while back and there was literally no distinction or separation between him and organized crime.
But he told me something that I'll always remember. He said: "The most important thing to them in the world is money. You can get away with a lot of stuff, but if you steal from them, you're dead."
Although it was many years ago, I still remember these words. However, over time, I came to realize that the only purpose of the money was to buy power.
Most people think that money makes the world go round. Actually, it's just the admission ticket to power -- which puts you in control -- which let's you make people do whatever you want them to do. There's a word for all of that. Evil.
So when we have a bought and paid for government, the same word applies.
Hippo_Tron (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 11:43 AM
Response to Original message
17. What exactly would this freedom look like?
If you're saying that corporations have too much unchecked power, I agree. If you're saying that the vast majority of American would prefer a world without corporations, then I don't agree.
The computer you're typing on was probably assembled by a corporation and if it wasn't then the parts it is made out of almost certainly were. Corporations allow us to sustain the lifestyles that we do. Maybe the recent economic crisis has shown us that those lifestyles really aren't sustainable, however. That said, even if they aren't sustainable they are still what people desire or at least think they desire.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 11:47 AM
Response to Reply #17
19. Okay. So where do we go from here?
You tell us, Oscar; after all, you're the smart one.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 11:48 AM
Response to Reply #18
20. I get it. I just don't know what to do about it
Oh geezuz, and Oscar considers himself one of the smart ones.
Name removed (0 posts) Thu Nov-19-09 11:54 AM
Response to Original message
21. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. I guess the only thing that surprises me is that you're still here after 99 posts
Either you've been very careful, or some moderator has been asleep at the wheel.
treestar (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 12:13 PM
Response to Original message
25. Controls what we read and hear?
that's crazy, especially since you at obviously on the internet.
You can read the news from any country. At the library you can access the newspapers of several countries and just about any book ever written.
There are tons of magazines, from the far right to left to everything in between and nothing stops you from reading them.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-19-09 12:22 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. Try rereading the OP. I said that the only place that freedom still exists is right here.
It's one of the few places where we have access to news from other countries.
Perhaps the best thing I have to say about those who control us is that they haven't started burning books -- yet.
However, don't let me prevent you from your illusion that you live in a "free" country. Enjoy.
Now wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.
This is Bo's America.
Cyrano69 (14 posts) Thu Nov-19-09 12:45 PM
Response to Original message
30. I must be missing something here...
Please explain to me EXACTLY how I am being controlled, by whom, and specifically how they are criminals in their control of me? Because I don't get it.
Thank you
Good question, Cyrano Jr.
