Why is everyone just passively accepting a degrading society?

[dawg]

No one seems to really question it. It's the conventional wisdom, and everyone seems to accept it.

"We've got to cut back."

"We can't afford what we used to."

"The government must live within its means."

What I want to know it ........ why?



Why can we no longer afford to hire enough good teachers to educate our children? Why can't we keep our roads and infrastructure maintained? Why is it getting harder and harder for working families to pay their bills? Why do local taxes go up, and up, and up, but services get fewer and farther between?

Why can't our generation have the same pension and health benefits our parents enjoyed?

Why is the notion of a "safe" job, and a company looking after it's employees, about as old-fashioned as a buggy whip?

Why is "stay-at-home mom" a choice only rich women get to make?

And, more than anything, why the hell does everyone just accept that this is just the way that it is? WTF is up with that?

With all the advances in technology, and the huge rise in worker productivity over the past 30 years, we should be debating on how to allocate the bounty, not fighting over the scraps.

[HereSince1628]

1. Who's accepting that?

[stevenleser]

29. Exactly. We've been outmaneuvered and out talking-pointed, but we have not accepted it

Exactly right.

[roguevalley]

33. short of shooting someone, most of us are doing what we can.

[Blue_Tires]

51. I think the OP means it's slowly becoming the "new normal"

Whether we accept it or not...

[Rex]

2. It is called digging your own grave and save!!!!

[Deep13]

3. I repeat my call for massive government spending...

...for all the damned good it will do us.

[leftstreet]

4. Because there's no Left in the US

No organized movement to push back against the Predator Class

[Patiod]

12. The far-far right has taken over the media

It's how Berlusconi got to power, and it's how the Predators are going to expand their power.

[leftstreet]

16. And the Left did.... .what about that?

Nothing

[Oak2004]

49. As the the media was gradually handed over to the corporations, the left protested

However people were comfortable then, and the Democrats (not to be confused with "the left") as has become their habit ever since the Koch-funded DLC took control of the party, worked to enable it.

People are no longer comfortable, and if my conversations reflect anything like reality, most people know they're not getting real news from the media (I'm a strong believer in do-it-yourself focus groups. You get a better view of what people are really thinking than you do by reading the polls, which are too unidimensional and too subject to spin, e.g. "Americans hate health care reform" rather deliberately obscured the fact that a majority of Americans either supported the bill or did not think it went far enough). By now it is impossible to retrieve the media through ordinary means or to even get the media to acknowledge that Americans are as discontented as they are (protests across America? What protests? Nothing to see here. Move along. And now for the latest news about Lindsay Lohan...)

The media did not tell the truth and report the news in Egypt and Tunisia, either, or for that matter in most of the countries that nonetheless have democratized, in, well, forever. We need to take a page out of their playbook and be the media. Don't bother with Nile TV West, unless it is to get in their way. We can't protest enough to get their attention, but we sure can protest enough to force changes, even changes affecting our Nile TV Wests.

[The Wielding Truth]

5. We have been under corrupt corporate assault and we have been managed.

[emilyg]

6. I feel there's nothing

I can do. Letters to White House and senators go unanswered. The only thing I can do is speak at the voting booth.

[jtown1123]

15. They may go unanswered but don't think for a minute they aren't accounted for

Many (good) Reps. and Senators actually count how many calls/letters they get on a particular issue so they can vote with confidence they are doing good by their constituents. Letters to Senate offices are notoriously slow (can be screened up to several months) because of the anthrax scare. If they have emails or electronic messages, use those.

[emilyg]

31. I have emailed, too. Thanks.

[WingDinger]

7. But, if we punish the evil rich guys that stole our future, they will leave and take their millions.

[FiveGoodMen]

8. We should take their millions first

Then they can leave.

[leftstreet]

13. They should GTFU

:thumbsup:

[RufusTFirefly]

Besides, I'm gonna be one of those rich fellers one day, by gum!

Don't want to pass any laws that will harm the exciting conclusion of my favorite fantasy.

(Oh, OK. Maybe my second favorite fantasy.)

[EFerrari]

9. Because when we obeject to the "austerity" scam

our own side questions our sanity?

Just a wild guess.

[Oak2004]

45. We will have an organized left again when we stop thinking the Democrats are "our side"

Some Democrats are. Others are owned and operated by the Koch brothers, and it is the Koch-owned Democrats who currently control the party.

I absolutely positively don't say "don't vote". Vote, of course. But we ought to be doing issues organizing with most of our energy, time, and money, not enabling Koch-owned DLC alumni by mindlessly working for Democrats assuming it will magically get better.

[DirkGently]

10. It's a logical disconnect that's been repeated so often few question it, is why.

[KamaAina]

11. What Faux News tells them three times is true.

:eyes:

[dawg]

17. Fox News is always gonna tell them that.

My problem is, so does the NYT.

[EFerrari]

20. The Golden Rule of Folktales!

:applause:

[lunatica]

14. this all happened because of the elections last November

Up to that point it was a matter of where the stimulus money should go. Then the Republicans and the Teabaggers ran on fiscal responsibility like they always do, and the TPTB have used it to try to consolidate their power by destroying social programs and unions.

It's pretty obvious to me. The Republicans always march in lockstep and when they all start talking about 'cutting back' it means destroying social services. The fact that five brand spanking new Teabagger Republicans were elected as governors and that by some 'fluke' they're all trying to bust the public unions within two months of taking office isn't a coincidence.

That's why.

Like Michael Moore says, there's plenty of money. It's all in the pockets of 400 very rich people and corporations.

[leftstreet]

23. The Democrats and Obama had two years to unfuck this thing

They drug it out, starting with the bogus healthcare town halls, long enough to let the Republicans get back in the door. A door the voters closed on the GOP in 2006 and 2008

[jp11]

18. It is the 'reality' we are in when our elected officials won't do what needs to be done.

They won't raise taxes or stop corporate giveaways.

People aren't getting raises and have had stagnant wages.
People can only live off credit for so long.

If our government won't stop giving away the 'store' we can't have roads, pay teachers, upgrade infrastructure, keep jobs in America, or protect workers.

[polichick]

19. Both parties have decided that greed is the most important American aspiration...

...and must be protected at all costs.

[Skidmore]

21. Look at your last sentence.

Advances in tech and rises in worker productivity do not necessarily translate into enough jobs. As for acceptance, people have been beaten down over decades now and we have an aging population with an undereducated younger populace coming up. In addition, those who hold office now are representative only of the wealthy class. Unless there is a large backlash or general strike, the acceptance will continue.

[reformist2]

22. Because we're not allowed to talk about tax increases.

[speltwon]

24. My wife, and the wives of many of my coworkers are stay at home

and it's hardly only the rich that can do it, or do it. I am far from rich. Otoh, I am a UNION EMPLOYEE and that does play a part in my having good benefits and decent wages, such that it's possible.

[dawg]

26. Yes, but it is a struggle.

I know, that was the choice we made as well. And it used to be the norm.

[dawg]

25. Someone on the left needs to start a movement.

Not a third-party, but something within the Democratic Party but not *of* it. Otherwise, we are doomed to be a third-rate power with a second-class standard of living. We'll be swarming over the border to Canada in 20 years and they'll be talking about building a freakin' wall.

[TBF]

35. If we can keep it non-partisan we might have a chance.

Many hard-core leftists were purged in the Palmer Raids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Raids) and they got the rest in the 50's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism). With union membership at 12% (at best) and leftists banished there is little pressure on the status quo. In the pockets of resistance that are left some are trying to build movements (http://wearemany.org/), some are simply ready to join in as events dictate.

[damntexdem]

27. Hmm, I've noticed just a tad of passion in, for example, Wisconsin.

But true, we need to get into more scraps rather than fighting over them.

[Kennah]

28. We're still in the midst of the Unraveling

Winter can be mild or winter can be severe; however, there's nothing one can do to stop winter from coming.

Currently reading "The Fourth Turning"

[mmonk]

30. I thought it was more of a situation of being trapped.

No representation.

[dfgrbac]

32. The "bounty" has been stolen, that's why!

When will the general population understand the our country has been stolen from us. This is all a result of decades of political pressure to legislate in favor of the money interests and against the people's Constitution and Bill of Rights.

But the people are not without power to retake it all.

Vote for and support the National Initiative for Democracy!

[grasswire]

34. doesn't have to be this way

Four immediate steps would turn the problem around.

1. Tax the rich their fair share.

2. End corporate welfare.

3. Enact legislation to bring jobs home.

4. Forgive student loans.

And if you put some banksters in jail, the country will cheer!

[TBF]

36. Bandaids for the upper middle class -

how does this help anyone who is unemployed and homeless? Rather than pining for crumbs we ought to be looking at major systemic change.

[grasswire]

38. well....

...

1. Taxing the rich provides more money for social programs and safety nets.

2. Ending corporate welfare provides more tax revenue for the same.

3. Legislation to bring jobs back home brings jobs back to those who are unemployed (homeless, poor)

4. Forgiving student loans puts more money into the economy (more tax revenue see 1,2,3 above) and creates jobs.

Agreed, those aren't the only things that need doing, but they are significant.

[TBF]

41. We have capitalism in place,

a system that is going to fight those things every step of the way (as we've seen in the past 30-40 years of blowback). We did have a respite in the 50's due to the higher tax rates but that didn't last.

Your proposed fixes are only significant in that keeping any number of people from dying is significant ... but if we want to change things for the long-term and have a shot at saving this planet the system itself has to go.

[louslobbs]

53. I'm with that 100%

4 easy steps that the Koch Klan and their ilk would fight to the death of others to stop, but wouldn't really have to, because where are the people in power who would implement these steps? It takes honesty, facing reality, integrity and a backbone to stand up for what is right over money and power. Who is that person, on our side, with the power and pulpit to make that happen, or rather, who wants to make that happen?
Lou

[CrossChris]

37. Because rich people want us to. And what are we going to do about it?

Unless we do something about it, we have to accept it. Our rich politicians don't want to do anything about it, so voting doesn't help. When we take to the streets, the rich media ignores it.

So what do we do?

[TBF]

39. We haven't taken to the streets in a substantial way yet -

Wisconsin may be a start, we'll see.

Think major nation-wide strike ...

[dfgrbac]

43. What's wrong with democracy?

Can anyone please tell me what is wrong with voting for democracy. This is a simple solution I'd love to discuss.

[SoCalDem]

40. Because people whose money comes in check form, with deductions already taken out

mostly live check to check.. they can only control part of their finances.. Their fixed expenses always keep them behind the 8-ball.

Watch a hamster on his wheel.. He runs quite fast, but never gets anywhere..

[mochajava666]

42. It's called progress when you blindly support Obama

When W was in office, this would be unacceptable and outrageous.

With Obama, we just say that change occurs slowly and to be patient. Or that the degradation of our lives is just something that is inevitable, and is not due to a complete failure of leadership.

[Javaman]

44. the "bounty" was pissed away via deficit spending, tax cuts for the rich

and useless forever wars.

There is an alternative universe where the people didn't buy into ray-guns bullshit and Carter was reelected.

But alas, we didn't get that one.

[RedCloud]

46. Anti war hippies are retiring. They must be punished! That's why!

They put a stop to Indochina.

[walldude]

47. It's not being "accepted".. it's being "cheered"..

And those who see through the illusion are denigrated.

:shrug:

[Oak2004]

48. No its not. Look at the polls.

If you want to see cheers, pick up a picket sign and go picket your nearest megabank.

Things will begin to happen when individuals begin to do that, and from there groups will coalesce, etc.

Americans have had enough of this crap. The only piece of the puzzle left is individuals taking the initiative.

(p.s.-- don't expect Nile TV West to ever acknowledge the discontent. They will never breathe a word (an honest word, anyway) about protests unless and until the protesters actually seize control of the studios. We have to be our own media, just like in other totalitarian nations.

Totalitarian? We may not have political totalitarianism, but we sure do have economic totalitarianism. Doubt it? Ask people who won't take action why they refuse even when given an opportunity. The answer is almost always not "I love the corporations" or "I'm afraid of the secret police". It's "I"m afraid I'll be fired".)

[walldude]

52. Been out twice this month and am going out again

on the 20th.

Some of us have been taking the initiative. You shouldn't assume otherwise.

[Romulox]

50. Screwing over one's fellow Americans is just another consumer "choice".

:shrug:

[lib2DaBone]

54. The anti war hippies are tired.. they have been fighting since Kent State....

.. they got their limbs blown off in Viet Nam and then the Govt abandoned them when their skin broke out in cancer tumnors from Agent Orange.

It's time for another generation to step up.. if they value freedom. Where are they?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHmZ9ZuqB4M (a blast from the past)