http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1539490Oh my.
Oscar Wilde, the large-proboscised primitive.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:52 PM
Original message
Okay, let’s talk about this “We need a revolution†thing
Our country has been stolen from us. The pigs are in charge. And there doesn’t seem to be much we can do about it. Many are aware that we are virtually helpless in fighting against the super wealthy who all but own us. And many posts I’ve seen over the past year or two have hinted at, or screamed for, “revolution.â€
The history of the world suggests that, on some occasions, oppressed populations can stand up to tyrants, overthrow them, and build a new order.
But as much as I hate to say it, I don’t believe we could pull it off even if we could get our shit together. IMO, our elected officials, and those who have bought and paid for them, have anticipated a possible revolution long before we thought we might need one.
Look at Iraq, Afghanistan, and so many other places in the world where our “leaders†have declared undeclared wars. It’s not just U.S. armed forces who are there. Our “wars†have been privatized. Blackwater, now Xe, and many other companies whose names we don’t even know, are major players in this “game of war.†And their profits are mind boggling. (Not to mention the vast profits of our owners who build the tools of war.)
So why would anyone think that numerous companies like Xe wouldn’t be used to suppress any attempted “American revolution?†And let’s add to that those drone things that can blow up entire neighborhoods, anytime, anywhere, for any reason.
If King Louis XVI had these resources to suppress his people, France might still be a monarchy and the guillotine would have been used only to thin out the herd of peasants.
Revolutions aren’t what they used to be. For all practical purposes, we Americans are expendable. The owners don’t need us to buy their goods, do their labor, or breathe their air. The world has become one vast marketplace and we are just taking up space.
The basic premise of what I’m talking about here is that we are ****ed beyond repair. We have entered a new dark age. Hopefully, it will be followed by a renaissance. But I fear that most of us won’t live long enough to see it.
So that’s my current, depressing view of America. But I’d like to hear your view, and what, if anything, we can do about it.
It probably won't do any good, but I'll say it anyway.
It would be good for Oscar and the other primitives to consult the link at the bottom of franksolich's signature line here.
jtown1123 (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:54 PM
Response to Original message
1. Sure they have all the money and influence but we outnumber them, i.e. our votes count
not sure how this helps if people don't vote or are misinformed, but numbers wise? we win hands down.
librechik (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #1
7. only if we all show up (and we don't) also
they have ways to get around voting nowadays. And nobody is doing anything to stop them on that front. It;s bound to get worse.
Taverner (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:54 PM
Response to Original message
2. Agreed. Besides, in a revolution people die. LOTS of people.
Unless you don't mind the thought of losing some loved ones, it's better to push for local autonomy than nationwide revolution
Newest Reality (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:12 PM
Response to Reply #2
18. That's a good point, however, we should consider the more subtle way that people can die when you factor-in the lack of equity in services and access to resources.
We already have people dieing from lack of access to health care, etc.
There is a line in the sand there, somewhere.
Revolution can be non-violent and it could most likely come from less participation in what the system tells us we should want/need. That comes down to how much comfort we are addicted to and questions of what kinds of small changes we can make that can lead-up to potentially dramatic impact.
In a corporatist takeover, what are the main issues to contend with? Well, the multinationals and banksters are in literally owning and controlling much of our barest necessities, as well as our expendable items. To revolt against them is to literally bite the hand that feeds us, and that points us in the very difficult direction of changing a lot about what we think and do. The effort and uncertainty hold many back and the craving for comfort and stability in the short-run could be our biggest barrier to a transition to something completely different and more satisfying.
Then, there is corporatist media that defines the reality for far too many people these days.
LoZoccolo (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:55 PM
Response to Original message
3. We have an organized, legitimate revolution every two years in this country in the form of elections. And one of the good things about it is that you don't have to worry so much about counterrevolutions and all the strongarm tactics meant to surpress them because you know you'll have another one soon enough. Work on that one.
HockeyMom (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 01:56 PM
Response to Original message
4. Go back to my youth
Tune In, Turn On, and DROP OUT?
nadinbrzezinski (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:04 PM
Response to Original message
10. It will not come in the next year or so
The radicalization of the population has not gotten there YET. Rvolutions are organic. Also we still could have, I hope.. A peaceful one. See the New Deal was a revolution.
nadinostradamus needs to read the link at the bottom of franksolich's signature line here.
Exultant Democracy (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:05 PM
Response to Original message
12. I know it is a cliche, but it is always darkest before the dawn. The worm always turns and it seems like time moves faster now because of the new speed of information in the internet age. Things will turn around, not as soon as we want, but probably before we would expect them to.
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #12
20. I sure as hell hope you're right, Exultant.
But what never goes away is the thought that someone once told me. "It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black."
Jeez, what a depressing thought. I'm almost sorry that I started this thread. It's enough to drive those who don't drink to drink.
The mountain man primitive who, like all men, nightly pitches his tent one day's march nearer the mausoleum:
ThomWV (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:07 PM
Response to Original message
14. I think we are little more than war-mongering bastards who the world would be better off without.
My honest assessment of what this country has become.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Thu Jul-21-11 02:08 PM
Response to Original message
15. While it's unlikely now, revolutions can and have been bloodless
After all, the right wing revolution was, stole the country right out from under us with few shots fired.
But yes, we need one. I hope it can be a bloodless one but I'm not at all convinced it will be.
