But just as all social issues are deeply seeded (Homophobia comes to mind, in that it originates with sexism – as does racism), the political issues of the day seem to begin (and may end) with money (or the lack of it). Money, it’s all about money, money, money, and the illusion of wealth post-modernism has bestowed upon us.

Last night when Keith Olberman replayed his interview with George Carlin, I was struck by something Carlin said. He said that Americans have essentially been placated with our toys and other comforts. We somehow disassociate ourselves from the real infringements on our civil liberties because we have iPhones and Starbucks and it *seems* that we are unaffected. But if we don’t do something, we will be directly affected. Why aren’t some European or UK governments inciting fascist tactics on their citizens? Because their citizen wouldn’t stand for it. They’d be out in the streets, protesting in an uproar.

I think Americans need to pay attention. This all happened right under our noses, after all.

“The future of the infamous Guantánamo detention centre was thrown into doubt yesterday after the US supreme court delivered the most serious blow yet to President George Bush’s policy of holding prisoners indefinitely without trial.”

Seems like the checks and balances are working.

Read the full article

Although we may at some point in the future need an “all-encompassing” event to swing the pendulum back to true democracy, I’m not sure it’s the type of environment we’d want to pervade for very long. I stand by democracy.

The problem, I feel, is that we are too young a species to responsibly embrace capitalism (which I also stand by). As we’ve heard before, “money is the root of all evil.” And it’s true. Look at all of the mishaps of society here and everywhere and it always seems to come back to the maldistribution of wealth and power.

With rising population and dwindling resources we’re likely to see this problem magnify ten-fold. We’ve seen the tip of the iceberg with Desert Storm and the Iraq War.

While I’m not necessarily one for Anarchy (as traditionally taught), I would be open to learning more about how we can embrace its ideals to truly bring power back to the people. I think we can all agree that the lines between “big corporation” and “government” have blurred considerably. We must also be sure to keep our “checks and balances” in play: Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches of government must always be allowed to work independently of one another.

That’s a process, I feel, the current administration has worked long and hard to undermine.

I’m not a spokesperson for them, but I know the Flobots have the same anarchic ideals behind pushing social activism. glad you like them.

Thanks for the Flobots tip. I checked them out and I do like the lyrics. a lot.

C

Check out the Flobots and their lyrics, I think you’d like them.