Many people, both self-professed conservatives and liberals, won’t like what I’m about to say, but I’m not interested in mincing words. In fact, being delicate in describing our system has only helped its very worst features advance. Passive acceptance and soft, normal language about the system is pathetic. It is just one of several reasons that America has been so eager to spread its cancer, its Imperialism, around the globe. I’m supposed to look at its constant warfare and say “Thank you!,” presumably while wearing a big, stupid grin. It doesn’t matter how many people it kills, how many lies it tells, or how it insists I deny my own feelings.
Sometimes, it’s all that it seems to be about. Deny, deflect, pretend the very worst is over and that, through continued invasions and corporate welfare, everything will work out in the end.
I know that all of the above is an indictment of the US system and thus of the humanity of the average American.
I understand that we live in a world of cold-hearted money, a world where the value of money is measured only by its purchasing power, where there is no need for even strong wills, all you have to do is have corporations take over, and then they can run a country or a continent for the rich. It’s sort of a perversion of the quote by Malcolm Gladwell: “Success is not a random act. It arises
out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities.”
In this context, their success depends on our failure. We’re supposed to be like obedient dogs, groveling for scraps or crumbs from the table, as the ultra-rich get ultra-richer, and often directly from the taxpayer trough.
It may, in fact, seem that the ultimate goal is for people to end up like insects to get things done.
Can’t you just hear the little ants down below? They’re always rolling with the punches, trying their damnedest to keep up that plucky optimism, at least until that well runs dry. I can practically hear their inner monologue:
“Yes, I know that it is such a burden for me to continue, but since I can, I’m going to go on, because if I don’t, I’ll be allowed no retirement time, and since I don’t want to end up an alcoholic wreck, if I do one thing, I’ll go on, and I can tell you that that is what I’m planning on doing…Just don’t worry, it’ll all work out.”
In some cases, it actually will work out okay, and the system will love to point out such examples. There will even be the occasional (albeit increasingly rare) genuine rags-to-riches story. However, as such tales are told, never forget to ask, “Hmm, why was this person in ‘rags’ to begin with?”
There will also be plenty of fear-mongering about words like what I’m laying down here. However, don’t pretend observations of reality like this must create or stem from some Soviet Union-style boogeyman. I’m not typing all this because I stumbled upon some Marxist tome and brainwashed myself, or was brainwashed by socialism in a collegiate setting. Nope. It has more to do with observing everyday reality, regardless of any hypothetical Marxist remedies to the situation.
In fact, let’s pretend I’m not even particularly aggrieved by anything. I still think I painted a fairly accurate picture of what our system looks like, and what it will continue to look like unless people start creating bigger, better alternatives to its worst features. I won’t say that’s impossible, but it’s going to take a significant effort, and it’ll also require people to be non-ideological, to the extent possible, and to not depend entirely on official authorities and proper channels.
Also remember: Anything corporations and governments can give you, they can also take away, and very well may.
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