Friday, June 17, 2011

Political Ramblings on a Day Off!



I have decided that I am much more liberal, left, subversive, radical, socialist or, as one friend put it "crazy", than I ever thought. I just can't stand where our country is right now. The Ultra Conservative, rich, intolerant, bigoted, faux christian robber barons that have seized control of this country have done a masterful job of convincing the masses to vehemently support policies that are designed to oppress them and fill the pockets of the few instead of benefiting the many. I know that sounds Socialist to some, but for a moment, let's take a look at the definition of the words Socialism, Communism and Capitalism:

Socialism

A theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

Communism

A system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

Capitalism

an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

Of these three definitions I find the least troubling to be that of Socialism. I also feel that it fits in best with the basic beliefs that all men are created equal and that we should provide for the weakest most downtrodden of our brothers.

In my view, Communism and Capitalism (at least our current corruption of it in the US) are actually much more closely compared than people would like to admit. At least Communism admits that all economic activity is controlled by Politicians. In the US, the most Capitalist of all societies, all social and economic decisions are controlled by politicians and the Corporations and Billionaires that control them through power of the Almighty Dollar. This is illustrated by the fact that the richest 400 individuals in America now control more wealth than a full 50 per cent of our population! How can a gross inequity like this come about, or be allowed to perpetuate itself? Worse yet, the"powers that be", have convinced us that this ok, even desirable! In a truly just society, this would not be allowed to happen.

The most astonishing aspect of this is that most of those in power in our country profess to be extremely religious, yet avarice (greed) is considered one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In my opinion, greed is one of driving forces behind the whole philosophy of Capitalism.

I know I have rambled on a bit here, but I encourage all of you to think outside the box, question everything and never just accept what they try to shove down your throat!