I'm temporarily politically inert. After fighting the good fight for most of the past 45 years, the last election has put me in a sad place. I've tried to write a couple pieces but can't finish them. What's the point? A large segment of the American people prefer to be guided by their narrow self-interests, fear, and self-imposed ignorance. After 40 years of the conservative program of lying, slowly destroying the national educational infrastructure and funding the wealthy by consuming the common wealth, i.e. the social investments of previous generations, we've hit the wall. A good example of a similar national collapse, and a glimpse of the road we are well along, look at the last 15 years of the Soviet Union and subsequent history of modern Russia.
Here in the US, as in the post Soviet Union Russia, we are seeing a naked grab for long lasting power and national wealth by a class of powerful insiders that are being assisted by an army of fearful people who lack the ability or will to employ critical thinking in their political decision making.
For a glimpse of our future, look at the condition of democracy and civil rights in Russia today.
The collapse of our economy was brought about by the wealthy, in particular those involved in banking, investing, real estate, and politics. Only one of whom, Bernie Madoff, has gone to jail.
The recent Wisconsin protests provide a glimmer of hope. Perhaps we have reached the tipping point where thoughtful people can finally organize effectively. For the most part, the Democratic Party is ineffectual and needs to be cleansed of its members that continue to adhere to pro wealth/business/military policies. That may mean a new Presidential candidate for 2012.
Despite all his rhetoric, Obama continues to adhere to a middle of the road path. After 40 years of Republican and Conservative dominated politics the road heads decidedly to the Right and staying in its middle only continues us down the wrong track.
Lastly, what is needed now are the modern equivalents of the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee, Freedom Schools, and the Civil Rights Movement. All non violent and all remarkably successful.
Most importantly, everyone must understand that this a long haul effort and we can't count on government for anything. This must be a continuous grassroots effort that will span decades. It took 40 years for the Conservatives to infiltrate the public mind and poison it with lies and deceptions. It will probably take us just as long to enlighten the public awareness and re-establish positive public values.
It will be harder for us and we must be prepared for the struggle. We ignored the growing threat of the Right and assumed that our public institutions, particularly the courts and schools, would counteract what was blatantly anti democratic and non humane. We were wrong, it was these very institutions that the Right attacked first. The Right will not ignore us. They will be watching us and will use whatever tools they have at their disposal: politics, economics, and violence. We must be prepared for the long haul and the demands that non violent political action will place on us. We must be prepared to support each other at the local, state and national levels