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

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Do the Rich Need the Rest of America?

by Robert Frank from The Wall Street Journal

Have you been wondering why our government has lavishly given cash to criminal bankers and given so little to build the withering infrastructure in the US that would create jobs? Have you wondered why Obama, who promised so much change, has produced very little change? Well, if you had been following this blog, you wouldn't wonder at all--you would already know why. 

You would know that the globalization phase of capitalism pushed by that great Democratic champion of the working class, Bill Clinton, has made it even more possible for our rich ruling class to invest their money elsewhere--places where there is cheap labor and weak environmental laws. And there is the added bonus of forcing young Americans to enlist in the Armed Forces to enforce their policies on the rest of the world.  

But it is never too late to learn and this article--straight from capitalism's favorite mouthpiece--will give you some clues.
If the American rich increasingly do not depend for their wealth on American workers and American consumers or for their safety on American soldiers or police officers, then it is hardly surprising that so many of them should be so hostile to paying taxes to support the infrastructure and the social programs that help the majority of the American people. The rich don’t need the rest anymore.
Also, read this for further evidence that the US rich, and their Democratic/Republican governments, couldn't care less about American workers.

Have you noticed how the rich cut in line ahead of you at the airport security checkpoints?