The Escalating War Within America: A House Divided

[dajoki]

The Escalating War Within America: A House Divided
By michael payne
March 17, 2011
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Escalating-War-Within-by-michael-payne-110316-168.html

<<snip>>

If I had to use one word to describe what this war is all about, it would be "wealth." Yes, it's a battle over who will control the wealth of America. This struggle is often referred to as being between the "haves" and the "have nots" or, in more controversial terms, a Class War. And, at this point in time, it's not the least bit difficult to determine who is winning.

There's certainly nothing wrong with the accumulation of wealth, as such, for that's part of the American way of life. Those with more education, talent and expertise, who use their skills in highly productive ways, deserve higher earnings. However, the division of wealth in America today has become so skewed and unbalanced that it seems like we are currently living in a modern-day version of the Feudal System in which the rich are lords and barons and the rest of Americans are serfs and peasants.

In America today there are over 400 billionaires. Contrast that with the fact that one in seven Americans, or about 46 million people, are currently living below the poverty line and an equal number are on food stamps. Those at the top of the income ladder have an inordinate percentage of America's wealth but their appetite for more and more seems to be insatiable. Those on the bottom rungs are desperately trying to survive. In a nation said to be the richest in the world that is a national disgrace.

<<snip>>

Yes, a war is raging within America, across America. On the one side of this war stands the collective might of Corporate America; a consortium of transnational corporations, Wall Street financial barons, the defense industry and the rich and powerful segment of America. They are aided and abetted by the U.S. Congress and the Republican Party. Many Democrats have become members of this unholy alliance.

On the other side stand the American people. They do not have the mighty power of those who oppose them but they possess an even greater power; the vast potential power of the people that still needs to be tapped. But the people can't fight this battle alone. They badly need the help and support of Democrats in Congress and this president. Unfortunately, they are getting none, they are alone.

<<snip>>

[bobbolink]

1. I would debate "they deserve it". They are also benefitting from resources

anothers have no access to.

I am currently pondering the use of SSI to keep middleclass people in the middleclass, while people who are very ill and looking at becoming homeless and hungry CAN'T get disability.

Something is very, very WRONG!

Yet, because the mantra is MIDDLECLASS, nothing is going to change.

[dajoki]

2. I don't begrudge...

anybody anything, but they should have to pay their fair share, which isn't happening.

I don't think someone who is considered middleclass can get SSI. But you are right, something is very wrong.

[bobbolink]

3. Yes, middleclass people can and DO get SSI.

They can get it if a spouse, say, is very ill and needs nursing home care.

They can get it if they have a disabled or sick child.

Yet, a sick and/or injured adult CAN'T get it in order to get needed medical care and ensure the necessities of life.. in the case of at least a couple of DUers, that means HOUSING. Yes, they are facing homelessness!

Something is vERY Wrong.

[old mark]

4. K&R- I wonder if it gets really bad here will the UN step in and save us? nt

[leftstreet]

5. "There's certainly nothing wrong with the accumulation of wealth"

If that were true, America would be in great shape!

A handful of people have accumulated a MASSIVE amount of wealth. So, if there's 'nothing wrong' with that...

[blindpig]

6. Yep

there is something wrong with that. It's not about your home, car, dog or home, it is about ownership of the means of production. It is about disproportionate wealth which makes a joke of democracy.

[Hannah Bell]

7. kr

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, dajoki.

[highplainsdem]

9. K&R

[smokey nj]

10. K&R!

[Buns_of_Fire]

11. You can't accuse Mr. Payne of being a pollyanna about the remedies, that's for sure.

His own comment, down in the comments section:

The more I think about these problems in America the more I believe that, under current conditions and circumstances, they cannot be fixed. Our political system, failing system of democracy and our corrupted system of capitalism are so deeply embedded into this nation that the damage is probably irreparable.

So, basically, he's saying that we're pretty much SOL when it comes to any voluntary change -- but then he goes on to suggest that perhaps Peak Oil will involuntarily force some significant changes. I think he may be right.

It's a sad thing, though, to know that we've basically lost control of our own country and are now reduced to looking to an outside force to probably put us through more pain in the process of righting the ship. At least I know that, at my economic level, I don't have very far to fall.