Well-Actually War Trall Synergy Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Heaven forbid that one intentionally start a dialog on one of the two great taboos of polite conversation in mixed company: politics (the other being religion), but I find that I cannot restrain myself. I am fervent, personally, on behalf of the state of my own nation, America, and the dire path it is upon, and I know that under globalization and American imperialism, the situation is becoming convergent with many other farflung nations. I am fervent, communually, on behalf of the state of our planet. We're one world now and so intertwined, we are all in this together, like it or not. I was making some small stabs at part of today's great concerns in another thread discussing the gutting of the middle class in America, or more specifically: the increasing disparity of wealth between elite haves and the have nots. Anyone paying attention by now has encountered copious and ominous statistics laying these facts out plainly for us to see. We are the future, you and I. We are the ones who can choose to work to change all of these things. We actually do have the power to accomplish it. It merely requires that enough of us care enough to begin doing what it will take. I am an optimist through it all, but I am deeply concerned about our apathy, about my own apathy, because it feels like such a lonely, impotent effort in the present climate. I have hopes for a brighter future, if we survive a dimming present. I have faith in my fellow human beings to awake, to become aware, to do things we have done before, and things we have never done before. I'm going to post links to several striking commentaries on aspects of our current political/economic/social situation. The voices I tend to today find more honest tend to emanate from the left side of the spectrum, but I am not of any party. I think the two-party system in Washington is hopelessly broken. Our nation is not going to be renewed by either party. It's going to take you and me voting with our feet and dollars, and perhaps more. I don't doubt any one of these articles may generate stringent debate and controversy. This would be a preferable reaction to apathy. But I think it's a critical time for all younger Americans to dig into the meat of the nation we are inheriting. It's always healthy to inform ourselves, to challenge ourselves and what we think we believe, and to decide for ourselves what things mean, where the truth lies, and where we are going to align ourselves as a result. These are kind of lengthy editorial pieces. Those who find them engaging will press on. I am not implying personal agreement with all aspects of any of these articles, but I find them striking and compelling enough to stir up some serious examination for those who have interest in these concerns. I am curious to see what we are willing to look at in light of what they suggest and propose. This is big picture stuff, and despite my love of nitty gritty details, I am a big picture man at heart. For your consideration: An empire crumbles. Can we humbly see and admit that once-republic America, land that we love, is in fact, an empire in decline? "Is the World Too Big To Fail?" MIT linguist professor, Noam Chomsky, whether or not one agrees with his perspective on world politics, is to be commended on his courage since the 60's to call it as he sees it. I think he is one of the most intelligent, articulate, and truthful voices we (barely) have on the podium today. There are reasons most media shun giving him voice at all. One vision for "Saving the American Economy." The corollary: "What Happens if we Don't." This gets better as it goes, leading to a rousing look at distinguishing our "isms." "Socialism" gets kicked around a lot in present political dialog. But what we are staring down the barrel is fascism. Who's using that word today? It is oddly absent from our collective lips. These are just a few writings that have stirred me recently. There are many excellent minds at work fighting to have a voice redirecting our nation toward a viable and sane future. Some can be found on the internet. Unfortunately, I and many others conclude that nearly none can be found in government. It will take an effort of the masses of everyday Americans to effect the needed changes. No one is going to do this for us, because the ones elected to represent us are an integral part of the problem. They do not represent you and me any longer. They represent powerful elite, corporate interests. We can accomplish change before or after our land is in ruins and the great majority of us are reduced to impoverished serfs. Which do we prefer? Which will we choose? I am convinced it has come down to this. I see no other likely outcome or intervention. All discussion and contribution is welcome. The theme is what is the true situation of the nation, and what is our solution? -S- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 tonight instead of discussing politics i made a cake. it's pretty good. i suggest that you would achieve more by doing the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Synergy Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 Let them eat cake, huh? -S- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 fortunately the cake is russian, not french wait both of those countries had revolutions didn't they uh oh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Nioca Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: Synergy Heaven forbid that one intentionally start a dialog on one of the two great taboos of polite conversation in mixed company: politics (the other being religion), but I find that I cannot restrain myself. I am fervent, personally, on behalf of the state of my own nation, America, and the dire path it is upon, and I know that under globalization and American imperialism, the situation is becoming convergent with many other farflung nations. I am fervent, communually, on behalf of the state of our planet. We're one world now and so intertwined, we are all in this together, like it or not. Alright, which one of you chuckleheads left a thesaurus lying around for just anyone to pick up? Anyway, I really don't have much to say on the subject, other than to say that I firmly believe that entropy always wins. This isn't the first time the American economy has collapsed, and I'm willing to bet it won't be the last. Not betting money, mind you, because I'm flat broke at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Aoslare Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: Nioca Alright, which one of you chuckleheads left a thesaurus lying around for just anyone to pick up? According to the tradition, Synergy's new-age buzzwords don't come from his thesaurus... On the one hand, I think it's worth being concerned about these issues. On the other hand, I question whether things are actually getting worse or if they are just remaining as bad as they've always been. The U.S. isn't turning into any more of an oligarchy than it's always been. It isn't becoming any more imperialist than it's always been, either. We may look with dismay on corporate lobbying, or the Iraq war, but they are absolutely nothing new, and completely in character with how the powers that be in the U.S. have always done things. I am also reasonably convinced that the U.S. isn't much worse than anyplace else either today, or in the past. Which is to say, many of the things done here are pretty awful, but what country is that not true of? There are plenty of instances of individual leaders who did shining things in the pursuit of universal peace and freedom and equality. Indeed, there are whole revolutions coloured this way: look at Truth and Reconciliation, or the Velvet Revolution, or the People Power Revolution. But look at how quickly Corazon Aquino's ideals were eroded. I'm not saying the things Synergy brings up aren't worth fighting for. Emphatically, they are. But let's fight for them for the right reasons. Hyperbole and drama lead to change all right, but if we want positive change to persist, it needs to be founded on the unaugmented truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: CRISIS on INFINITE SLARTIES I am also reasonably convinced that the U.S. isn't much worse than anyplace else either today, or in the past. i dunno, it seems like the world was a pretty cool place before life appeared on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Dikiyoba Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Dikiyoba thought Earth was full of volcanoes at that point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: Dikiyoba Dikiyoba thought Earth was full of volcanoes at that point. Relatively cool since we started out much hotter. Then life came along and started mucking the place up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Synergy, you will be pleased to know this topic has led me to clarify something in the code of conduct: Quote: While there is a great deal of latitude in the General forum with regards to permitted topics, it is not a personal blog or meant to be an avenue to excessively espouse personal beliefs. The level of tolerance for this is generally inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the topic (e.g., discussions of hot-button political issues are generally frowned upon). While you intend well, I do think you have reached the point where you are dominating this discussion and treating it as your personal space to express your views at length rather than as an equal participant in a conversation. There are other places on the internet for this: politics forums, your own blog, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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