We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Friday, October 31, 2014

Suing the State: The Hidden Rules Within EU-US Trade Deal

Click here if you wish to access the original posting of this 7:58m video at Raging Bull-Shit

This short video focuses on the central evil of these neoliberal trade agreements. In this latest neoliberal stage of capitalism's natural development, we see the capitalist class removing the last obstacles to their rule--laws established in national parliaments that protect the interests of citizens.

This is not to argue that there ever was true democracy since the era of civilization began. Although we often appreciate all the blessings for human health, security, and happiness that humans have created during this era, there is another tendency that has caused much grief. A few humans were not satisfied with their legitimate share of these benefits, and have through violence and cunning secured not only far more than their share, but the ability to secure ever more wealth and its companion, power. Capitalism, which has evolved out of this tendency, has greatly accelerated it. Now we see a tiny class of "owners" intent upon removing the last vestiges of influence by the vast majority. These neoliberal capitalists are now so powerful that they intend to establish the principle that private profit will always have priority over the public's interest.