Tunisia, Egypt ... Will the US Be Next?
This post is an excerpt from a longer article written by Paul Cienfuegos available at his website.
Over the past few days, I’ve gathered the following quotations from Tunisia and Egypt which feel uncannily like they apply to America as well:
“People have grown tired of corrupt institutions and a stagnant political order. They are demanding reforms to make their governments more effective, more responsive, and more open.”
—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, issuing a warning to Arab rulers just as the Tunisian uprising was beginning, on NPR’s Morning Edition, 1/28/2011
“These are really local conditions driving this. You have poverty. You have issues of access. You have young professionals, middle class, educated people complaining bitterly about a lack of opportunity.”
—Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee, on Meet the Press, 1/30/2011
“Young people want to feel that they are participating: not only in their economic future, but participating in how they’re governed, participating in their future.”
—Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman, on NPR’s Morning Edition, 1/28/2011
It’s surreal how well these quotes describe our situation in America. For example, the gap between the rich and the poor is wider here in the U.S. than in almost any other country in the world, including Tunisia and Egypt. And it’s growing wider by the day. The blossoming of authentic democratic structures in Egypt has been blocked for many years by a dictator calling himself a President. The blossoming of authentic democratic structures in the United States has been blocked for many years by an ongoing corporate coup, aided and abetted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Our mainstream press is almost entirely owned or controlled by a handful of giant corporations (including, tragically, PBS and NPR). Almost all of the key societal decisions are now made behind closed doors by corporate boards of directors, which have become the primary constituents of government and whose members now run most of our government agencies. Many of these outrages are legal only because We the People allow our corporate creations to exercise Constitutional “rights” as if they were real flesh and blood people.
It is truly scary as an American to admit that the U.S. isn’t really a democratic society at all.
Just two weeks ago, most Egyptians would have told you that they felt isolated from each other and scared to stand up for their beliefs. Then the people of Tunisia rose up in enormous numbers, (partially due to leaked U.S. Embassy cables from WikiLeaks), and their dictator fled. Young Egyptians started mobilizing themselves via Twitter and Facebook. And one week later, two million Egyptians burst out into the streets. The Egyptian dictator’s days are now numbered. And peaceful demonstrations are taking place in Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
From peak oil and climate destabilization to the real possibility of widespread economic collapse, There are so many crises facing us that require urgent attention. We need responsive governing institutions freed from corporate interference if we are going to have any chance of negotiating a sane, sustainable future. Do We the People of these United States trust ourselves enough to act as boldly as our Egyptian brothers and sisters? Do we really even have the choice?
78 comments on the article “Tunisia, Egypt ... Will the US Be Next?”
Displaying 61 - 70 of 78
Page 7 of 8
Voice
As I awoke this morning, I had no inclination that I would once again, in my short life span, experience such a change as the people of a country overthrowing their government. Always there is talk of the possiblity of this occuring, but I can't recall actually seeing the people of a nation band together for the betterment of ALL of them. Not just one or not just the rich but all of the people. America, when will it be your turn? When will you be sick of seeing children suffer, not on the tv screen in some far away country, but in your own streets, starving and scraping by? When will you tire of a government that is willing to raise a ignorant and ill educated future generation? When will you tire of the distractions being offered everyday by people who do not matter? The so called starlets and junkies of our current society are not the leaders or the people that should be influencing our lives.
Money is not neccesarily the evil that is being attacked by so many others, but those in control of it and their levels of greed and selfishness. If the money within the Unites States was dolled out to the proper programs and institutions, perhaps the future would not resemble a step back instead of a step forward.
When will you uprise and make the choice to be free of the greed of the old and find a new train of thought?
Now is the time.
It is possible.
Voice
As I awoke this morning, I had no inclination that I would once again, in my short life span, experience such a change as the people of a country overthrowing their government. Always there is talk of the possiblity of this occuring, but I can't recall actually seeing the people of a nation band together for the betterment of ALL of them. Not just one or not just the rich but all of the people. America, when will it be your turn? When will you be sick of seeing children suffer, not on the tv screen in some far away country, but in your own streets, starving and scraping by? When will you tire of a government that is willing to raise a ignorant and ill educated future generation? When will you tire of the distractions being offered everyday by people who do not matter? The so called starlets and junkies of our current society are not the leaders or the people that should be influencing our lives.
Money is not neccesarily the evil that is being attacked by so many others, but those in control of it and their levels of greed and selfishness. If the money within the Unites States was dolled out to the proper programs and institutions, perhaps the future would not resemble a step back instead of a step forward.
When will you uprise and make the choice to be free of the greed of the old and find a new train of thought?
Now is the time.
It is possible.
Anonymous
"When will you uprise and make the choice to be free of the greed of the old and find a new train of thought?
When 80% or so of the people are as poor as they are in Egypt. That's the simple answer. It's a mistake to assume a few ideas create revolution. Empty stomachs and empty wallets is the spark of revolt.
Our system has a brilliant structure that allows for people to be milked right to the brink of desperation, but no farther. There are self limiting curbs on exploitation here that can keep people on the edge of exhaustion without going over.
Just look at the size (really) of Americans. Then, look at the size of Egyptions. Did you see lot's of 400 pounders in the streets of Tahrir square?
In terms of "ideas" worth dying for, just as many Americans would be willing to die to support racism, to support homophobia, to support fascism, as though who want democracy! So, there's no revolution of principle about to break out here.
America has a long way to go toward any breaking point. We'd have to collectively lose about 100 pounds each before you will see a million people in the streets. And trust me, the Establishment power structure knows this. One reason we subsidize Agri-business so heavily is to keep America fat, dumb and happy.
Anonymous
"When will you uprise and make the choice to be free of the greed of the old and find a new train of thought?
When 80% or so of the people are as poor as they are in Egypt. That's the simple answer. It's a mistake to assume a few ideas create revolution. Empty stomachs and empty wallets is the spark of revolt.
Our system has a brilliant structure that allows for people to be milked right to the brink of desperation, but no farther. There are self limiting curbs on exploitation here that can keep people on the edge of exhaustion without going over.
Just look at the size (really) of Americans. Then, look at the size of Egyptions. Did you see lot's of 400 pounders in the streets of Tahrir square?
In terms of "ideas" worth dying for, just as many Americans would be willing to die to support racism, to support homophobia, to support fascism, as though who want democracy! So, there's no revolution of principle about to break out here.
America has a long way to go toward any breaking point. We'd have to collectively lose about 100 pounds each before you will see a million people in the streets. And trust me, the Establishment power structure knows this. One reason we subsidize Agri-business so heavily is to keep America fat, dumb and happy.
Anonymous
I realized years ago that we don't have a democracy and the people don't have a voice or representation in America. I described it as "Communism with the illusion of freedom". My calling it communism focuses on the facet of communism that is the tyranny of the government;the government is all powerful,dictatorial and tyrannical and the citizens have no power. And no voice. And the government can do anything it wants to do. Even imprison or kill you(discreetly)if it so chooses.
And money drives the politics and the politicians. The government or politics is really a lot of business ventures in many degrees. And ECONOMICS CIRCUMVENTS TRUE DEMOCRACY or the democratic process. I am a vegan and animal rights advocate. I know that if your ideas are not popular in political circles,and veganism is much hated and fought by people in the meat lobby and meat industry(also by the horrible people who feed on dead animals and are insane at the thought that one day,if veganism becomes dominant,they might not be able to consume dead flesh)Also if those people whose interests are for the continued slaughter and abuse and exploitation of animals choose to silence your voice and your concerns,they do. Or your voice and your concerns are simply ignored. And people with direct ties to animal torture and slaughter also hold political offices or have powerful lobbyists who buy time and buy political clout.(This includes animal testing for chemicals,medical products and drugs,and also careers which kill and torture live animals,like veterinary and the medical professions)The medical industry has a huge financial interest in the meat industry,tons and tons of pharmaceuticals go into animals that live and die only to serve a pot and a plate. They also benefit by the billions of dollars when people need heart surgery or cholesterol drugs,as cholesterol comes only from ANIMAL PRODUCTS,a fact which is never mentioned,in plain language,in the media. They tell you about cholesterol testing and the cholesterol drugs,but not how TO AVOID needing the tests and the drugs. Also the drugs are a scam. I heard just yesterday on a radio show that the drugs don't prolong life. The medical industry has a powerful lobby and i have to believe many of our politicians are insidiously influenced by it,if not being directly connected to it. But they don't tell us they are in office to push their private agenda and business. They call it healthcare but that is a lie. Healthy people don't need a doctor. How is MEDICAL COVERAGE healthcare. It is not. Healthcare is a fraudulent term and it has brainwashed a truly unsuspecting public.
And big business has the money. Animal rights going toe to toe with the NRA is another pitiful situation. We lose but the NRA people are already embedded in politics and have political power. People in politics don't care or are unaware of what conditions animals live and die in. (animals in the food chain are all tortured and slaughtered,treated inhumanely and live unnatural lives and eat an unnatural diet and live in suffering from birth to death)And even the few animals which may live a somewhat normal life,end up being slaughtered while they are in full health which must be very painful because often the technique used to slaughter does not kill them. Or does not kill them quickly. So it must be done again,using a bolt gun on their head if they are not knocked unconscious the first time. Not surprisingly,it is also not uncommon for the cutting of healthy and conscious animals to begin and i know deep cuts in healthy flesh is consciousness-searing and very very painful. But this is done. To scores of billions of animals EVERY YEAR. I could go on and on.
But,the main point in response to the "America is not a democracy" subject;the money has all the power. And the businesses that sell the products earn the money. And the money has the voice that people,even when their ideas are right and better,do not. Our government is an engine of economics that is destructive. Destructive to people,to animals,to the environment. America is not a democracy. The class disparity and the bottleneck of wealth and resources and the extreme poverty and homelessness should tell people that. Power or political power is modeled after what is called human nature. And human nature is greedy and brutal and selfish;seeing,causing,or directly inflicting suffering,death or torture are all things only people do. An animal will kill to survive. People will kill to remain a dominant force or power,to remain the one who gets all they want,even when their needs are fulfilled. This is true of people. But not animals. Animals could never be and have never been as brutal,savage,cruel,and INHUMAN as people can be and ARE. " People are the only truly evil people on earth. Think about it. " ~ quote from ME. PeaceOut. H. S.
Anonymous
I realized years ago that we don't have a democracy and the people don't have a voice or representation in America. I described it as "Communism with the illusion of freedom". My calling it communism focuses on the facet of communism that is the tyranny of the government;the government is all powerful,dictatorial and tyrannical and the citizens have no power. And no voice. And the government can do anything it wants to do. Even imprison or kill you(discreetly)if it so chooses.
And money drives the politics and the politicians. The government or politics is really a lot of business ventures in many degrees. And ECONOMICS CIRCUMVENTS TRUE DEMOCRACY or the democratic process. I am a vegan and animal rights advocate. I know that if your ideas are not popular in political circles,and veganism is much hated and fought by people in the meat lobby and meat industry(also by the horrible people who feed on dead animals and are insane at the thought that one day,if veganism becomes dominant,they might not be able to consume dead flesh)Also if those people whose interests are for the continued slaughter and abuse and exploitation of animals choose to silence your voice and your concerns,they do. Or your voice and your concerns are simply ignored. And people with direct ties to animal torture and slaughter also hold political offices or have powerful lobbyists who buy time and buy political clout.(This includes animal testing for chemicals,medical products and drugs,and also careers which kill and torture live animals,like veterinary and the medical professions)The medical industry has a huge financial interest in the meat industry,tons and tons of pharmaceuticals go into animals that live and die only to serve a pot and a plate. They also benefit by the billions of dollars when people need heart surgery or cholesterol drugs,as cholesterol comes only from ANIMAL PRODUCTS,a fact which is never mentioned,in plain language,in the media. They tell you about cholesterol testing and the cholesterol drugs,but not how TO AVOID needing the tests and the drugs. Also the drugs are a scam. I heard just yesterday on a radio show that the drugs don't prolong life. The medical industry has a powerful lobby and i have to believe many of our politicians are insidiously influenced by it,if not being directly connected to it. But they don't tell us they are in office to push their private agenda and business. They call it healthcare but that is a lie. Healthy people don't need a doctor. How is MEDICAL COVERAGE healthcare. It is not. Healthcare is a fraudulent term and it has brainwashed a truly unsuspecting public.
And big business has the money. Animal rights going toe to toe with the NRA is another pitiful situation. We lose but the NRA people are already embedded in politics and have political power. People in politics don't care or are unaware of what conditions animals live and die in. (animals in the food chain are all tortured and slaughtered,treated inhumanely and live unnatural lives and eat an unnatural diet and live in suffering from birth to death)And even the few animals which may live a somewhat normal life,end up being slaughtered while they are in full health which must be very painful because often the technique used to slaughter does not kill them. Or does not kill them quickly. So it must be done again,using a bolt gun on their head if they are not knocked unconscious the first time. Not surprisingly,it is also not uncommon for the cutting of healthy and conscious animals to begin and i know deep cuts in healthy flesh is consciousness-searing and very very painful. But this is done. To scores of billions of animals EVERY YEAR. I could go on and on.
But,the main point in response to the "America is not a democracy" subject;the money has all the power. And the businesses that sell the products earn the money. And the money has the voice that people,even when their ideas are right and better,do not. Our government is an engine of economics that is destructive. Destructive to people,to animals,to the environment. America is not a democracy. The class disparity and the bottleneck of wealth and resources and the extreme poverty and homelessness should tell people that. Power or political power is modeled after what is called human nature. And human nature is greedy and brutal and selfish;seeing,causing,or directly inflicting suffering,death or torture are all things only people do. An animal will kill to survive. People will kill to remain a dominant force or power,to remain the one who gets all they want,even when their needs are fulfilled. This is true of people. But not animals. Animals could never be and have never been as brutal,savage,cruel,and INHUMAN as people can be and ARE. " People are the only truly evil people on earth. Think about it. " ~ quote from ME. PeaceOut. H. S.
Anonymous
"People are the only truly evil creatures on earth. Think about it". Leave it to me to do relatively ok writing at length on a tiny Blackberry screen but screw it up at the very end. I wrote "people are the only evil people on earth. I meant to write "creatures".
Anonymous
"People are the only truly evil creatures on earth. Think about it". Leave it to me to do relatively ok writing at length on a tiny Blackberry screen but screw it up at the very end. I wrote "people are the only evil people on earth. I meant to write "creatures".
Anonymous
No the US will not be nxt
What the US is doing is planning who to put nxt in Egypt.
Muppets choosing their puppets
Anonymous
No the US will not be nxt
What the US is doing is planning who to put nxt in Egypt.
Muppets choosing their puppets
Pages
Add a new comment