So, basically, the people, their constitutionally guaranteed rights, their health, their concerns, their freedoms and opinions mean nothing and are worth nothing to the institutions that they have trusted all their lives. OK then. If all eyes have not been opened by now, is there any hope?
Good to see you again Lee. That's a really good question, I think many are so used to the system that is in place that they will prop it up, even if it's contrary to their family's health and well-being. the people rejecting the system now are coming from the top. I think that is the difference. I mean, what good is a 401k if there's a nuclear war? What does Roe v Wade matter if there's going to be a war with Russia? What good is SpaceX if Texas disappears in a mushroom cloud?
In the US, change is only possible when it is driven by oligarchs. Oligarchs revolted against King George when he tried to reign in their rapidly growing power (it was too late). New money Andrew Jackson challenged the older Whig order just a generation later. Northern oligarchs grew fed up with southern oligarchs, and there was a civil war. FDR dragged the oligarchy into the New Deal, kicking and screaming, and told them it would "save capitalism." Then a long quiet spell after WW2 while the oligarchy grew enormously wealthy riding out US global hegemony. As the empire began to show signs of weakness in recent decades (de-industrialization), we've seen selected oligarchs backing right-wing populist movements such as the Tea Party, while left-wing populism has completely sputtered lacking any support from the oligarchy (understandably). And now Elon Musk is acting out, as the latest oligarch to break ranks with his class interests.
One has to conclude that change is indeed coming, already happening. It isn't going to come from a fresh wave of public enlightenment...it will come the same way it has always done.
So, basically, the people, their constitutionally guaranteed rights, their health, their concerns, their freedoms and opinions mean nothing and are worth nothing to the institutions that they have trusted all their lives. OK then. If all eyes have not been opened by now, is there any hope?
Good to see you again Lee. That's a really good question, I think many are so used to the system that is in place that they will prop it up, even if it's contrary to their family's health and well-being. the people rejecting the system now are coming from the top. I think that is the difference. I mean, what good is a 401k if there's a nuclear war? What does Roe v Wade matter if there's going to be a war with Russia? What good is SpaceX if Texas disappears in a mushroom cloud?
In the US, change is only possible when it is driven by oligarchs. Oligarchs revolted against King George when he tried to reign in their rapidly growing power (it was too late). New money Andrew Jackson challenged the older Whig order just a generation later. Northern oligarchs grew fed up with southern oligarchs, and there was a civil war. FDR dragged the oligarchy into the New Deal, kicking and screaming, and told them it would "save capitalism." Then a long quiet spell after WW2 while the oligarchy grew enormously wealthy riding out US global hegemony. As the empire began to show signs of weakness in recent decades (de-industrialization), we've seen selected oligarchs backing right-wing populist movements such as the Tea Party, while left-wing populism has completely sputtered lacking any support from the oligarchy (understandably). And now Elon Musk is acting out, as the latest oligarch to break ranks with his class interests.
One has to conclude that change is indeed coming, already happening. It isn't going to come from a fresh wave of public enlightenment...it will come the same way it has always done.
Exactly!