By Joyce L. Arnold, Liberally Independent, Queer Talk, equality activist, writer.
Americans Elect was a bust. The Green, Libertarian, etc., “third” parties are having their usual struggle to get more than passing attention from most everyone outside those already involved, and deserve much credit for continuing their efforts. Both Obama and Romney are raising astounding amounts of money, and with the SCOTUS 5-4 decision that struck down Montana’s ban on corporate donations law, Citizens United was strengthened. The only end I can see for the continued increases in campaign spending would be the collapse of the system.
Republican establishment elites retreat with Romney in Utah. Democratic establishment elites have their special moments with Obama. And while not among the Elites, wealthier members of various “base” groups join Romney or Obama at whatever venue to give bigger chunks of money than most of us could ever consider.
There was a recent moment when the average progressive could pretend they were a pertinent part of the process. MoveOn.org members voted to endorse Obama. Not that they were given a choice to endorse anyone else; just “yes,” and MoveOn will work for Obama’s re-election or “no,” and MoveOn will work in other races, but not for Obama. From MoveOn:
‘MoveOn.org’s 7 million members have spoken out in resounding support of reelecting Barack Obama and defeating Mitt Romney. With this endorsement, we will invest significant time and resources into mobilizing people power to win the election and prevent a hostile takeover by the 1%. We simply cannot allow Mitt Romney to drive a stake through the heart of the middle class,’ MoveOn.org political action executive director Justin Ruben said in a statement.
However many of the 7 million voted, 91% (up from 2008’s 70%) of them ignored the stakes through their middle class hearts coming from the Left while “resoundingly” choosing to fight those coming from the Right. As for “preventing” the 1% takeover, I think it’s a bit late.
Along with all of this bipartisan predictable presidential election year marketing and sales, I’ve noticed (on the Left) something else, more regularly and more widely than before: a focus on the potential or inevitable (depending on who you’re reading) collapse of our thoroughly intertwined political and economic structures and systems. The essays and commentary began well before last September’s emergence of OWS, but have increased since then. A recent article by Ian Welsh has received a lot of attention, and is representative of some of the thinking. He begins with a focus on the Greek elections, but broadens his analysis from there.
Greek election consequences and the shape of the developed world’s future will be more years of austerity, people winding up on the street, suicides and outright starvation.
In general terms, we are in a pre-revolutionary period. The supreme court coup in Egypt, the outright refusal to obey even the letter of the law let alone the spirit in the case of Wikileaks and Assange, the reign of Obama, are teaching an entire generation that you cannot fix the system from within, through the mechanisms of the old system or through even semi-peaceful protest. The Pacific free trade deal will enshrine even more draconian IP laws and will extend NAFTA style takings regulations which give multinational companies sovereignty over governments.
This will not stand. There will be global war, and there will be global revolution. We are on track for it. The question is when and how. I would guess in less than 20 years the world will fully convulse. …
In the period between now and the revolution, some nations will take control of their own destinies. Offered a choice between austerity in the international system and nationalism, they will choose nationalism.
Strong stuff, and no doubt sounding too radical for many. Even if you’re among those, Welsh’s analysis is still worth consideration. Personally, I’m not at all sure he’s being too radical, though I think it might take longer than 20 years, and I certainly hope violence is avoided. But then again, as I look around at, for example, what Lambert Strether calls “disemployment,” and it’s not difficult to see Welsh’s point.
In the comments to his post, Welsh adds this:
It’s not a question of people waking up. It’s a question of what they’ll do when they realize, deep in their bones, that they have nothing to lose.
And from commenter Ché Pasa:
I would argue that the Global Revolution is already here. …
We may mock and disparage or we may celebrate and support the various revolutionary actions around the world, but regardless of how we feel about them, they are happening and more importantly, they are continuing regardless of either repression or mockery. …
It’s cryingly obvious that elections are not the answer. They’ll continue, of course, but they will have less and less relevance as captured governments continue to serve only their owners and sponsors and ignore the public interest and popular will.
If / When this collapse becomes unavoidably visible (even by our nation’s very high degree of both ability and willingness not to see what we don’t want to see), here’s the spin I predict: My guy is less bad at presiding over the collapse than your guy! That alone could get us through at least a decade.
Follow our Two Party politics. Engage in, or out of, our political process in whatever ways we each choose. But let’s not pretend the seeds for revolution aren’t planted. In fact, they’re sprouting. We’ll see how they grow.
(System Not Broken sign via Occupy Posters)
Ian Welsh isn’t talking crazy. And not being too radical either. I’ve been an urban city guy for most of my life. So I’m well-familiar and well-versed in big city machinations and stuff. Watched Democrats do the usual “make ya feel go so vote for me and run” routine to the disenfranchised folk. Yet I still maintained this optimism that it’ll work out. But since moving to rural South Carolina two years ago, that optimism has faded considerably. I’ve watched Republicans in this thoroughly red state so the exact same thing to disenfranchised rural folk that Democrats do the urbanites. Same platitudes. Same rah-rah. Same use and abuse. And then I watch a sizable number of these folks head back to their private torture chambers with their heads down. Saw both sides of the same coin and the coin stinks.
That can not and will not continue. My next door neighbor, a proud ultra-conservative, has told me many times that the only thing that is holding America back from mass civil unrest is:
1. Entertainment is still in abundance
2. Still have the ability to buy food easily
3. Still able to live in lower crime areas
That’s it. Now that’s a simple list but this is from a guy that was a proud heavy equipment operator for 20+ years before being laid off. Now his family (wife and two high school aged children) are struggling. And they are angry. Their anger has moved beyond President Obama to outright hostility at the party they supported (Republican) and Wall Street. And I hear more of the same. Hard working people just being let go and not hopeful. Hope has turned into a dirty word by some due to Obama’s ’08 campaign but when your down, hope keeps ya moving to brighter days. When folks lack hope, they get more and more despondent and angry. That’s never good.
Now I’m no quitter. And there are a bunch of no-quitters out there. But the seeds are sprouting. You have to be flexible and watch the way things play out carefully. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The first thing we MUST do is be willing to STOP PARTICIPATING in this “bogus” charade we call “VOTING”, no matter what party winds up as a paid for “corporatician”, we have to be willing to suffer these consequences…whatever they are. This generation of corporate-politicians will not…cannot change…it is the heart of this generation that makes them what they are……an inhumane, capitalist infection within our society, and like any other infection…they have to be removed, replaced or prevented from ever being apart of our great American society again!!!!!!
I attended a workshop for teachers of Advanced Placement US Government in New Jersey last fall. The professor who taught it said that he always told his students that “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” I almost bit my tongue off to hold back what I wanted to say, and instead went with “I don’t tell my students that- I tell them that voting is just one step of an endless cycle, and that they have no obligation to simply show up and vote if they don’t care for either of the candidates.” He sheepishly agreed with me and went on with the lesson, leaving both of us to wonder why he felt compelled to indulge in 1950s-style social studies feel-good claptrap.
That’s easy for you to say, but some of us have to live in the real world. Some of us have kids and and grand kids who need to be fed, clothed, have healthcare and hopefully have a decent school to go to.
It would be nice to be in your world were I could just ignore all of that and STOP PARTICIPATING in this “bogus charade you call “VOTING”, but I have kids and grand kids that live in the real world, and despite what you might think… There is a difference between the right wing republicans and the democrats, and what this country would look like if the right wing wins in this next election. I’ll grant you that the difference may be small, but it becomes a big difference for my kids, grand kids and family, and I’m not willing to let them suffer just to make a point.
Afternoon Angels…Thanks for the response,
First of all I want you to know that I fully understand and respect your view, it ‘s not so much “us” the indiviual that we think of, but how will our decisions affect our families and loved ones. Who dosen’t want to give the best future to their children or grandchildren?…I know I do, I consider these things always, and weigh the balance of my decisions…and yes I also live in a “real” world…for me and those of us that think like me our world is just as materialistic and spiritual as the next American citizen. But…by being a part of the very thing that is tearing family, friends and loved ones apart (I speak of the manipulated eco classes) I cause them to suffer in this manner also.
The freedom that belongs to the American working people has been stolen for decades now, and is long overdue…the power that we have given(voted) away to the many corporations and their politicians is still causing so much pain and suffering so terrible that our children (like the children of the slaves) are born into a capitalist debt slave society so that by the time they are juniors in college they are already an economic and financial slave…a ruined American citizen…and after graduation……….? please…broke…busted…and disgusted.
No…I could care less about proving some “point”. You see…many of us comment just to sound inteligent…and I am the least of inteligent people here…but as far as proving a “point”……..? for me this is not about proving a “point”, with all due respect Angels8, and I do respect your thoughts and comments, but this “is” my real world…my very, very real world.
You beat me to it with No. 1- we are being drowned with “ignore the world by keeping your eyes pasted on big or little glowing screens at all times” messages from Xfinity, cell phone companies, etc. etc. in the name of “connectivity,” which actually means engaging in social disconnection by building walls of electronic isolation.
And polling MoveOn members as to their inclinations toward the Democrats and Obama was about as worthless an exercise as polling a 1920s KKK rally about it’s feelings toward the Pope. MoveOn may not have started as a front for the Corpo-Democratic Party, but it sure is that now- along with Media Matters for America and MSNBC.
As usual, love your take, Joyce.
It’s certain any thinking Democrat unenthused about Pres. Obama had something to consider when Chief Justice Roberts ended up the man who saved Obamacare, someone Obama didn’t even vote to confirm.
My own view, Anthony, is voting is important, very important. Write-ins, whatever you want, skipping the presidency box, there are choices. I’d never give away my vote by not voting. I love the process of it.
T-Steel – Entertainment is big, an opiate, as is sports. No doubt about it.
I don’t think we’ll vote our way out of our problems, because we didn’t vote our way into them. Change will come from the bottom, not from the top, and the biggest opiate of them all is the concept that we are one election away from picking the One Guy Who Will Make It All Better. This is why I had a strong negative reaction to the Hope And Change Obama Idol-worship of 2008, and the cultlike “you don’t like Barack (when people refer to politicians they’ve never met by their first names, I get a chill) because he’s black” BS.
We will have to change society ourselves, and stop trying to find a Superman to save us through the use of elective office. Otherwise we are going to spend another generation whining about “their team” preventing “our team” from doing what we are sure “our team” really wants to do, if only it were given the chance.
As usual, the thoughtful comments appear
T-Steel, I don’t think Welsh is “talking crazy,” either. I don’t know, of course, how the “bumpy ride” will go, but among many other things, the continuing un- and under-employment conditions are kind of like fertilizer to those growing sprouts of revolution.
Antonio, you know I’m with you in not continuing the game of voting in the same Duopoly team players, and somehow thinking that’s going to change things.
jjamele, I think you’ve raised a very good question regarding why the why the professor “felt compelled” to present the “1950s-style social studies feel-good claptrap.” Simply continuing with the “this is the way we’ve always done it” reasoning, without allowing critical and inconvenient questions to get in the way, with, yet again, the hope that somehow this time the results will be different … that just keeps us going down the same road.
Taylor, I see voting options — write-in; “third party” (maybe); skip the races in which you can’t support either R or D candidate (when those are the only options available), and vote only in races which have someone you can support; turn in a blank ballot, as a “none of the above” vote, etc. I also think choosing not to vote because you see no one to support, and/or because you simply don’t want to participate in a system you think is a failure.
Obviously there aren’t any quick and easy answers. And that gets back to those sprouting seeds of revolution.
Awesome analysis, Joyce and equally awesome commentary by T-Steel, jjamele and Taylor. Thank you all!
Thanks, ladywalker. I’m always glad to hear from you
Hello Ms Taylor…Hello Ms Joyce, sorry I did’nt greet you earlier….
“they have no obligation to simply show up and vote if they don’t care for either of the candidates.”
That’s FREEDOM!!!!!!!!! FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is what we live and die for. The right to be represented or not by the persons and powers of the Constitution of these United States. I served in the military for 14 yrs and was involved in the “Gulf War”, I went on to retire in the AF Reserve….26 yrs in all. I have always since I was 18 yrs old worked for a living and paid my share of taxes I have never served time in prison or commited any offense other than misdemeanors…speeding…parking….etc. Out of all the things that I’ve done as a citizen the most important thing is…..I PAY MY TAXES!!
I have always believed that anytime you pay for the salary of any employee (politicians) or any one else that works for your own organization (US gover’nt) you will always have the right to complain…as long as I pay for your living I will always have that right always….always! Never let anyone teach you any different!!!!!!!!!!
With much love Joyce and Taylor,
Antonio
Of course you are correct. Voting or not voting is each person’s choice.
Your thoughts on the political process continue to be a sobering indictment.
Antonio, I always look forward to reading your thoughts.
At the end of William Manchester’s The Glory And The Dream, the author leads the reader through an imaginary closet where the bits and pieces of 2th century Americana lie in chronological order. At the bottom of the closet is a photograph of people by a Model T. Manchester says the people are leaning towards the camera as if trying to see the future. And they are smiling.
Americans are not smiling, and TSteele articulates it well. I live in a semi-rural part of western North Carolina. My county has one of the highest poverty rates in the state. Yet it is heavily Republican nonetheless. The problem with voting is that people continually vote against their own self interests believing they are actually doing the opposite. We’ve reached a stage of red herring politics, chasing after shiny baubles of emotional bait that divert attention from the fact that the soul of the government is safely locked away in a vault on Wall St.
The electoral process has degenerated into 12 billionaires in a sandbox. Unless they’re asked to put on a uniform for some military adventure, ordinary Americans are expected to keep their mouths shut and watch the Superbowl. That’s all that matters. For now. Revolutionary thought and revolutionary deeds are two separate and distinct things.
Welsh says this,”It’s not a question of people waking up. It’s a question of what they’ll do when they realize, deep in their bones, that they have nothing to lose” It is at that poin that thoughts and deeds converge. And it scares the hell out of me because one never knows the final result of such things. But when you have nothing to lose you don’t really care.
I think as a society Americans have tended to look into the future a bit as they live their lives; the “American Dream” as it were. Over the past 4 decades it’s devolved into living “one day at a time.” When it reaches the point where we live hour to hour is when this tipping point will occur. Wall St. will learn they posses nothing more than numerals on a hard drive and Washington will realize it’s governing inside I-495 only.
Thanks for this, Mrpister. Among other things, I agree with “it scares the hell out of me.” I really am concerned about where we’re headed.
This comment has been deleted; personal attacks are not allowed.
Agreed.
Your pointless, Tweedledee is Awesome the Emperor Does Have Clothes Stop Whining and Enjoy the Show is even more out of place than usual here today, RAJensen.
And as a willing, slavish supplicant to the Two Party System, I’d like to know how on earth you have any idea what “winning” looks like.
Like you do?
Yes- winning has nothing to do with politics. Winning is knowing what you believe in, fighting for it, and being a better person and contributing to the society you live in by participating in the fight. It’s not about how much money one guy raises or even about votes. That’s the dead end political junkies run into. They think that the “battle” ends on a Tuesday in November and that after that day, it’s up to the Electeds to run things for us Mortals. If they call themselves Democrats, they are good guys no matter what they do. If they call themselves Republicans, they are bad guys no matter what they do. All wonderful things are possible, over time, if the good guys win and the bad guys lose.
Yes, I know what “winning” looks like. It looks like growing up and growing a brain, and realizing that we can’t keep acting like children hoping that the right grown ups have our best interests at heart and will take care of us if we only send them money and get them elected. It means that fixing our problems is OUR responsibility, because the guys with the nice smiles and nice suits who give pretty speeches aren’t going to do it for us.
It means understanding that “we are the ones we have been waiting for” is actually true, and not just a line hijacked by a cynical politician to manipulate the masses.
That’s what “winning” looks like. Get it? I doubt it.
Well that’s a great rant. Kind of reminds me of Alice as she fell down the rabbit hole. but doesn’t have much to do with reality. But hey, everybody can dream.
There is nothing “unrealistic” without organizing outside the lines of the two-party system. If you think acting as individuals instead of sheep is “dreaming,” you are the one with the problem, not me.
A year or two ago, I was writing that what Ian Welsh was saying was one of the possibilities, and if we weren’t careful we’d end up there. Now, I can’t see how things won’t end up that way. People aren’t going to change until they have to. They never do.
And things will continue to get worse. Our economy will not get better, because it’s not in the interests of the people who own it for it to get better, nor is it in the interest of the politicians they own. Those politicians will continue to ignore the rights we’re supposed to have, because the fact is most people won’t fight for them, and you really only have the rights you are willing to fight for. Anyone who is comfortable is going to hope that this continues, because that’s how the riff-raff will be kept at bay.
That’s what angels81 and RAJensen are really telling us, no matter what they think they are saying. There are still an awful lot of them out there, and they won’t change their minds until they have to.
However change happens, it’s not going to come from those quarters. All we can really hope is that it’s peaceful change, but when government has a monopoly on violence, it will see no reason not to use that power on the rest of us. Occupy Wall Street and the other Occupy movements told us that, assuming we were too young to remember the 1960s, of course.
How long all that will take is a good guess. It will take long enough for a lot of the people who are now in the way to die off or become so helpless that they are no longer an impediment. It will also take organizing, and figuring out how to deal with authority in ways that are both effective and sustainable. It will take a while, and then whatever happens will happen quickly.
Whatever happens, my guess is that it will be ugly. I hope I’m not around to see it, because when it does I will be too infirm to defend myself and the people I care about, as will be true of most of us I suspect. As someone wrote earlier in the comment thread, it will be chaotic, and you can’t predict the outcome of chaos. What’s worse, we may not like the result much more than the current situation, because I just don’t see progressives having much to do with what happens.
Cujo, as usual, very well said.
On the question of whether voting does any good, I think it still does. My plan is to vote for what I want, when that’s possible. There are always things that affect our lives on a ballot, even if they’re not the headliners.
OTOH, I don’t see much point into putting much effort into it. Beyond being informed, of course. The outcome of this election will affect very little, whether it’s the white corporate tool or the black one who ends up in the White House, and whether the Congress is red or blue. In the long run, though, I think it will still be worthwhile to put as many progressives in DC as possible.
I think it will still be worthwhile to put as many progressives in DC as possible.
…and a liberal whenever you can find one!