The Normalization of Degradation

[Snoggera]

Just some early morning thoughts.

It's obvious that this administration not only doesn't care about individual human rights, they actively pursue degradation, humiliation, and implement policies which make it more difficult for people to survive. No, I'm not talking only about those living in a foreign land across an ocean, but also those residing in the US.

No increases in wages. Get rid of overtime pay. Ship the good paying positions overseas. Gouge people at the gas pumps, and therefore at the grocery store. Lower the taxes for wealthy individuals that create conditions in which all other taxes - those paid by the rest of society - must be drastically raised. Cut education funding. Cut funding for police in cities across the nation. Set a precedent by arresting and detaining citizens without due process rights. Lower standards for clean water and clean air. Lessen the ability of those wronged by industry to fight for justice in the courts. Create civil rights breaking laws to dismantle the constitution. Question the patriotism of all who question their descent into poverty or the hell of war. Lie. About everything. Reduce the availability of public housing. Make it more difficult to participate in the food stamp programs. Spread fear. Then spread more fear. Spread paranoia. Be paranoid about your government. Even be paranoid about your neighbor. Speak in New Testament terms, but use Old Testament methods. The only human life to be valued is either that which is yet unborn, or that which has accrued unimaginable wealth. All else is expendable.

Welcome to the turn of the century. The clock has turned back one hundred years. Our children will be living and working in a world in which they struggle for survival. This will not be because there is not enough for the world to provide, but because those that will control distribution will not care.

The future is almost here, and it looks a lot like 1904 instead of 2004. This may seem a depressing thought, and it should be, because the US is headed straight for a rendevous with the past.

Families working and still not able to survive. Diseases rampant due to unsanitary conditions. Not enough of anything available.

The law of the jungle. And those pious few who sit atop the human pyramid of misery do not think for one minute about the suffering of others.

I will hold out hope that Kerry will win, be actually allowed to take office, and turns this country around. Otherwise, say hello to the ghost of your great-grandfather, because you will be living in his world.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I know what you mean

And let's add another feature of 1904: bigotry and hatred. We're seeing it directed toward gays and also toward Muslims. I finally quit going to a discussion board that allows freepers because they said that all Muslims should be deported, and that all Muslims should be ashamed of their religion. I've tried for months to educate them on some facts, but they are onloy interested in spouting hatred and lies. I speak of this because I'm straight and a Muslim, but I assure you their sentiments towards gays, especially gay marriage, is the same. I visualize them at their keyboards, adjusting the pointy white hoods, and hope and pray the time doesn't come when Rush or someone gets on the radio and tells them that "its time". That's what was done in Rwanda just before the genocide. I fear it could happen here.

[undergroundpanther]

2. Time

To topple the capstone off that pryramid and toss the rich down to reality.
Take what they have away from them if they refuse to share it with others.
I mean why even BEcivilized if all you get is to work for a jackass who is so rich he will NEVER do without, and get nothing in return for it? Civilization requires social contracts,fairness and a sense of human rights.
Shit at least when we were hunter gatherers food was free, life was tough than too just like now.It's tough in a different way these days. We didn't have to suckup to a master demanding as much of ourtoil as he could wring from us for as little in return as possible.As hunter gatherers we could keep ourr integrity and world wars were not happening and there was less deliberate starvation.


No one is entitled to become obscenely rich from parasiting from other's suffering while giving nothing back to the society that suffers to make them wealthy. A society that accepts this the rich owe nobody nothing is a ogliarchical slave/dictatorship..
I am amazed our culture is so hooked on the horatio algier myth the one that says someday they too can be a millionare and be like _them_.America cannot see the rich man who has never gone without is thier master and owner taking away thier happiness,moulding thier character, getting them to buy what they cannot afford to be in debt and work thier life away as they give less and less to the very people who made them rich..

The wealthy get away with it because we let them,we treat them as sacred beings on the unspoken ugly hope we will 'suceed'if we compete and work hard enough,take risks and sell our souls we will be just like them and never want again,a swe move up tiers in the biggest scam ever pulled upon the Earth. A scam so seductive a belief so pervasive and innocent on the surface we are oblivious we have become the tools of our own suffering demise.
Wealth does not buy happiness it gives you power in only a certain social 'system'that happens to be corrupt to the core and Sociopathic.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. The holy books

say that the rich have an extra burden to take care of those less fortunate. All faiths talk about one of the main virtues being to give to charity. Greed is considered one of the seven deadly sins for a reason-in spiritual terms, the rich that do not share their good fortune are, indeed, paupers.

[Minstrel Boy]

3. excellent post

And scary as hell, because it's true.

[Beam Me Up]

5. "Hegemony or Survival," Chomsky's most recent work,

catalogs the history and the challenges that you are pointing to. I highly recommend the book or talking book CDs.

Anyone interested who can't afford to buy them should private me.

[Snoggera]

6. Thanks for the info

I'm sure they are informative and intriguing.

[LibertyorDeath]

7. It's amazing to me how many votes the Rethuglicans can get

with these policies & this world view.

Over 50 million voted for this shit in the 2000 election

I would guess of the 50 mil 90 + % of them are not Wealthy

so in effect are voting to cut of their nose to spite their face.

Whats their damage? Self hate? Idiocy? Bigotry? Fear? Greed?

Ignorance? Brainwashed ?

All of the above ?