Are we in another “American Civil War?”

[Cyrano]

Perhaps. This one doesn’t involve bullets, (yet). But it does involve ideologies as far apart as those who believed in slavery and those who didn’t. (And please let’s leave the “states rights” bullshit out of this.)

Democrats and Republicans may be the generic names of the adversaries in this “war.” But to my way of thinking, it goes far beyond that. I believe there are those who want a just and fair playing field where everyone has equal opportunity.

And I believe there are those who don’t mind dealing from the bottom of the deck as long as it favors them, and those who share their beliefs, values and world view.

It got very ugly in Wisconsin this past week and it turned into what seems to be a victory for those who believe in dealing from the bottom of the deck.

But that “victory” may just have mobilized countless couch/keyboard potatoes. You can push people just so far before they start pushing back. Hopefully, we are nearing, if we have not yet reached, that point.

So was Wisconsin the equivalent of the South firing on Fort Sumter (the act that began the Civil War)?

I don’t know. What do you think? And for that matter, do you believe we are in a new American Civil War?

On Edit: I am using the term "war" in a metaphorical sense. Some replies seem to believe I'm speaking of a shooting war, which I am not.

[kudzu22]

1. I think there are two distinct camps with irreconcilable differences

So yes, it's a war in one sense, but it's not clearly defineable by geographic boundaries. I don't think you have a Fort Sumter moment until actual shots are fired, and I don't see us being anywhere near that point yet.

[whattheidonot]

18. economic. political war.

It is a war for economic and political control. This is a huge war and it has to be fought now. standard of living and rights are at stake. The whole political system is broken and corrupt and we are paying for it by having a diminished life. So far we have gone along. WE cannot go along anymore. A life of cheap labor without no quality is what is ahead. This is the exact wrong path to prosperity. The right wing dream of no taxes and no government and then everybody will be rich is a nigh mare. There will nothing to stop the corporate power. Cheap labor and economy of scale will keep the big companies big. Competing businesses will be hard pressed to do so.

[NeedleCast]

2. No

[xchrom]

3. i'm not so sure it doesn't involve bullets.

the oklahoma city bombing, the guy who flew his plane into the irs office, the Gifford's assassination attempt and murders, the abortion dr murdered, etc...

the right wing just uses proxies.

[dorkulon]

4. It's not a war until we're shooting at each other.

Watch your metaphors. Do I think Wisconsin may be the high water mark for corporate hegemony, that it may be the line in the sand for progressives and the working class? Yes, I sincerely hope so. Would I call it a war? Not even close.

[Dogtown]

7. The Cold War

Not much exchange of fire.

[Cyrano]

11. I am using the term "war" in the metaphorical sense. Nonetheless,

it is definitely a war of ideas, philosophies and basic human values.

[godai]

5. No. n/t

[Bucky]

6. Yes, it's just like the Civil War, except for the war part.

And the civil part.

[Initech]

22. I think of this as a civil cold war.

There's no actual fighting going on, other than in fighting between Fux News viewers and billionaires vs. the rest of us.

[Ricochet21]

8. I think you're close

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Cold phase

[pintobean]

10. No. K&U

[cordelia]

12. No

[cali]

13. No, it's really not a civil war.

[Bok_Tukalo]

14. No. We are in a democratic republic.

And as such, there will be competing ideas on the role of governing institutions in the lives, cultural and economic, of the citizens of the republic. Sometimes, those competing ideas overlap and we have the largess of government through subsidies and direct payments that are popular along with a low tax burden which is also very popular.

After decades, the bill from desired government services without adequate revenue has come due. The problem is, no one wants to pay.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

15. First of all, there was nothing "civil" about the civil war.

But this coming war, will be a class war, it will be between people who have not much to loose and corporations and even turning into to corporations against corporations, and the people will win only if they are very determined and peaceful.

[RevStPatrick]

16. Recently I was reading about the Nation of Islam.

Through the insanity of it all, I was struck by this notion:

"The Nation of Islam continues to teach its followers that the present world society is segmented into three distinct categories. They teach that from a general perspective, 85% of the population are the "deaf, dumb and blind" masses of the people who "are easily led in the wrong direction and hard to lead in the right direction". These 85% of the masses who are said to be manipulated by 10% of the people. Those 10% rich "slave-makers" are said to manipulate the 85% masses of the people through ignorance, the skillful use of religious doctrine and the mass media.

The third group is referred to as the 5% "poor righteous teachers" of the people of the world, who know the truth of the manipulation of the 85% masses of the people by the 10%. The 5% "righteous teachers" are at constant struggle and war with 10% to reach and "free the minds" of the masses of the people..."

While I certainly have some problems with this, it does "feel" like there's some truth to it. Point being, there are 3 groups in this struggle. The exploiters, the exploited masses and those who see what is going on.

I include most members of DU in that 3rd category.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation_of_islam

[kctim]

19. EVERY group

see's themselves as that 3rd category and see ALL who disagree with them as the 2nd category.

[RevStPatrick]

21. Yes, you are right.

The worst of the teabaggers believe that they are the only ones who know what is really going on.

[Newsjock]

17. We don't call it the Second Civil War ...

... we call it the "War of Moron Aggression."

[Fire Walk With Me]

20. Considering that this is a hostile takeover of the country, and that this is what the Republicans

want, and that they will not back down...I dunno.

[Chris_Texas]

23. no