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> Politics and Passivity in Meeting the Threat

30 December 2005, 20:04

Very well written article. Your observations are right on target.

The consequences of inaction and passivity in reaction to the gradual disassembling of our republic are grave. Unfortunately, a large minority of Americans do nothing to participate in the political process, or to inform themselves, although they must know something is wrong.

There are those who say that the pendulum must swing back towards the rule of law and justice and away from the fiery and destructive path of vengeance and autocracy. They would say no society can tolerate such an imbalance of wealth such as ours. These apologists may despise the changes they must cetainly see happening, yet they are content to let them happen, just as long as their personal lives aren’t affected. Their passivity is a dangerous concession to those who would gladly see the Republic undone for their gain. Martin Luther King bemoaned not what evil men do, but the passivity of the good.

Well, if the political momentum garnered by Bush and other Republic leaders is to be stopped, a loyal opposition must be organized. Unfortunately, our two-party political process has been corrupted by bribery and unfettered corporate influence over government. Left to its unbridled conclusion, such unrestrained and unopposed political control will lead to one-party rule, a total blending of State and corporate power—otherwise known as fascism.

The rule of a despot must inevitably end with his departure. Assuming we retain our two-term limit on the Presidency, we will lose the source of so much damage to our society when that Leader leaves office.

Yet what if the forces behind changes in our society are more far-reaching than assemblage of authority into one person? A docile, corporate-controlled media has and will continue to mis- and under-inform an American public that knows little about the outside world and doesn’t feel that being informed can make a difference, or is even that important compared to the pressing necessities of life (including of course TV and wage-earning.)

The reign of militarism and its dissent-throttling control over the electorate will eradicate our civil liberties as the masses bend to nationalistic and anti-Islamic impulses. (A fact originally exploited by Goebbels and Himmler, then the neo-cons under Strauss.) Electronic voting systems owned by Repuplicans have and will continue to dominate our elections. The political momentum has shifted beyond the point of return.

If there is a ray of hope, it’s in the people who will eventually suffer the most under Corporate and Elitist rule. As their jobs and unions disappear, they will have to want change and be willing to participate politically. If they sit passive and wait for change, they will surely be disappointed, even with Bush’s departure. The people must demand paper receipts so their votes are counted.