After reading Robert Reich's newest economic analysis, I cannot help but come to the conclusion that America is indeed becoming a banana republic in the mold of South American countries like Brazil and Argentina (which, ironically, seem to ameliorating their past bad behaviors).
Reich points out that the disparity between the richest and poorest Americans is higher now than it has been since 1929. Incomes have been stagnant for years, and the middle class seems to be disappearing.
The recession, largely ushered in by big business money, caused the deepest recession since 1929, and millions were laid off. Now, Republicans refuse to vote for an extension of unemployment benefits, insisting that jobs are available--low-paying ones.
If Americans do accept these jobs, the a massive part of the workplace will be transformed from a medium paid populace to a low paid populace. The standard of living will inevitably fall, and voila! a banana republic complete with plutocracy and propaganda.
There is so much evidence to support this conclusion, it is hard not to see this progression a conspiracy, although I do not. I just see it as a horrible confluence of events which, unfortunately, seem to be pointing to a bad end for America.
Please tell me I am wrong. I love this place!
Peace.