Run time: 06:38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqgOvzUeiAA
Posted on YouTube: January 22, 2009
By YouTube Member: DCFTOMMY1971
Views on YouTube: 3798
Posted on DU: June 08, 2010
By DU Member: TrollBuster9090
Views on DU: 265 |
Mouseland and the American Plutocracy.
Here's an oldie but goodie. The Mouseland speech by Tommy Douglas, grandfather of Keiffer Sutherland, and one of Canada's greatest politicians. The success of Tommy Douglas in Canada which, until the rise of progressives like Douglas in the 30s and 40s, was at least as much of a plutocracy as the United States, is proof that the average citizen CAN win out against the almighty dollar.
As another commenter pointed out, we shouldn't really be surprised when Elton John performs at Rush Limbaugh's wedding, or when James Carville attends it. After all, we are MICE, and regardless of party affiliation, Limbaugh, John and Carville are still CATS. We live in a Plutocracy, where government is run by, and for the benefit of the wealthy. The American two party system is, for the most part, a WWF match, complete with pre-fight trash talking and hair pulling, and it's only the dumbest of fans who get angry when they find out it's mostly just a show.
Limbaugh's wedding guests shouldn't stimulate our sense of surprise or our sense of outrage, just our sense of resolve to change things. And it should remind us of just how much work there is to be done to change things. But...DO NOT fall into the trap (frequently set by concern trolls from the other side) that both parties are the same, and there is no point in participating in the political process. Don't kid yourself, Republicans and conservatives do not believe this. That's why the tea party nuts are working three shifts to vote out incumbent, career politicians in their primaries. And we are doing the same, and should continue to do so.
Politics is always a choice of the lesser of two evils. If we choose the lesser of two evils EVERY CHANCE WE GET, regardless of how small the contest, eventually we'll end up with very little evil. If we throw up our hands, declare "what's the point?" and stop participating, it's a sure way of ending up with A LOT of evil. The world is run by those who bother to show up, and the government works for the people who bother to participate in it. Regular people may give up, but I guarantee you that the corporate welfare machine NEVER will, and the current corporate ownership of the American government is nothing more than a reflection of the vacuum left in the American political arena by regular people. Sure, unlimited corporate money flooding into elections can influence public opinion, BUT ONLY TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. Common sense, word of mouth, and energy by the ordinary constituents will trump corporate money every time. SO DON'T SURRENDER just because many of our 'leaders' have sold themselves to the plutocracy. Don't get angry. GET EVEN. (And get RID of them.)
This is what we have to keep on doing, IMHO.
1. Continue to vote out career politicians in primaries, UNLESS they have shown an enduring commitment to serving the common people, and not surrendering to the system. Dennis Kucinich and Ted Kennedy are two names that spring to mind.
2. Continue to push for term limits. The amount of corruption in a politician is usually directly proportional to the amount of time they've spent in Washington rubbing elbows with lobbyists.
3. Continue to push for campaign finance reform that bans corporations from buying our leaders.
How about a Democratic version of the CONTRACT WITH AMERICA? Something that politicians will be asked to sign, saying they'll support and vote for bills that include term limits and effective campaign finance reform?
I'd like to see some suggestions from YOU MICE on what should be included in the Democratic 'Contract With America!'
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