The Interregnum, Part 2

[Z³]

I think that social networking and actual discussion are key to this. There are many traps in the political spectrum which prevent any form of unification of common ideals. Applying the stigma of communism and socialism to any sort of call for reform is one of them. In this sense, the presence of right-wing nuts rallies people of a like mind, but also creates a visible target for those with an opposing view, and it dichotomizes the political spectrum into a simple left vs right debate... when in reality this is completely missing the point. When the entire focus of debate is shifted to the extremes, it obfuscates the true tools of control.

I hope I'm following you correctly, Cain.

The problem is building it, and educating people to overlook their social differences and unite on economic grounds.  Class warfare is an ugly word, but its not like any of us here started it.  If the Fed, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch and the rest didn't want it, then they shouldn't have engaged in their own, top-down form of Class Warfare for the past thirty years.

I think the top-down class warfare you describe has been going on for a lot longer than just the last thirty years.

Anyway, I think the key here is that people need to realize the impact of their spending. Americans, and probably people in general, have completely divorced themselves from the idea that they are casting votes with their currency, and that these votes matter more than the votes that they may or may not cast at the polling office. When I have the choice, I will avoid spending money on corporations that I dont support, but its pretty unrealistic to believe that this is completely possible; not without severe lifestyle changes. Sadly, because I dont grow my own food, I may very likely be giving Monsanto money every time I purchase a vegetable. I have internets, which means that I'm giving money to some form of communications company.

Living in omaha, I do everything in my power NOT to give money to Con-Agra (for example). So, at least by cooking my own food and not buying preprocessed shit I'm doing OK... yet If I buy food at the grocery store, well, I think you get the idea. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that class warfare begins and ends with currency, and DIY is probably a good place to start. This is one thing I think the Anarcho-Punks have been on the ball about for years, but in many cases it seems that they way they carry this message tends to turn people away more than it really helps.

At least on a small level it probably helps to support independently owned business, rather than chains, and to be self sufficient as much as possible, whenever possible. If people in general thought this way, we'd be better off.

[SpazztheCelestial]

HUH? GOTTA GO, IDULZ ON. TWEET ME LATER.

SPAZZ

Alas, I fear that not even vast quantities of the finest cheese, applied with utmost expertise, can save us now.

[Cain]

The last overtly populist movement here was during the late 1800s - early 1900s IIRC.  Perhaps notes should be taken on that?

That was more or less what I was thinking, yes.  The last time the people discussed were truly threatened was about that time.  I also believe most of the New Deal-esque reforms in the USA involved populist movements piling pressure on the Democrats from the left, because, and lets face it, left to their own devices, the Democrats just retreat to managerial Zen for as long as possible, and try to avoid upsetting anyone except their own left.

[Cain]

Cain, your suggestions to Kai above about reaching over ot the "other side" are brilliant--and something I've sort of ad hoc tried myself in order to be able to just TOLERATE the subject with hardcore right-wingnuts like my parents.  Bring something positive to bridge the gap somewhere to the table, and watch as it works like magic so they aren't so set up in opposition against you.

I will be touching more on this theme later, once the series is over (just about to post the third, two more parts planned).

[Cain]

I think the top-down class warfare you describe has been going on for a lot longer than just the last thirty years.

Quite likely.  However, I think, that at least 35 or so years ago, the benefits from increased real wealth were more equally spread.  The last thirty years, on the other hand, has been the illusion of wealth growth for everyone but the top of the economic food chain, fed through cheap credit and the like.  Neither is especially brilliant, but then was certainly better than now in at least one respect.

Anyway, splitting hairs over an essential agreement, so moving on:

Yes, it is very hard to avoid supporting these companies in some way.  Its usually more expensive to spend at smaller stores, and even if you do pull that off, taxes are being given to everyone from Lockheed Martin to religious organisations.  That would be part of it, but equally, the problem with huge economic giants is most people don't even know what their products really are.  Hands up who knows what Goldman Sachs actually sells? 

And that is part of how they've gotten into their position, through economist snake-oil which has massively complicated a system to the point the only people who know how it actually works are the same people who broke it.

[Cramulus]

original art for Interregnum 2:

[The Johnny]

Cram, thats a fucking awesome image you made there, it synthetizes one of my personal important ideas.

[Cramulus]

Cram, thats a fucking awesome image you made there, it synthetizes one of my personal important ideas.

thanks much! larger sizes available upon request - photobucket trims everything down.
And what is that idea?

[The Johnny]

thanks much! larger sizes available upon request - photobucket trims everything down.
And what is that idea?

do you not think that the same system of opression of "20% crushing all below" has changed at any point in all the history of humanity? Do you not think that the only difference is the technological prowess? Only royalty had mirrors in the middle ages because of its technological price, and now we have the commodity of mirrors only by grace of technology... Hope im making myself clear.

I cant find some resources i would need for basis of this... but i saw some article that shows the distribution of money and basicly 20% of the population has 80% of the capital...

Basicly what im getting is that, that has been going on since the earliest of empires or structured government such as the egyptians up to now.

Pharaos --> Tyrants > Kings --> Transnational Companies

so compare these two charts... one is my view on how things work, and the other one is the way its supposed to be.



other piece of crap thing trouble loading... please standby...

[The Johnny]

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Watch The Network, the part where Howard Beale gets religion from the CEO.

All will be explained.

[The Johnny]

Watch The Network, the part where Howard Beale gets religion from the CEO.

All will be explained.

Ill do as soon as i can.

I dont know who Glenn Beck is, but i do know all of you do, and i found this tidbit...

Conservative talk-show host, Glenn Beck, has repeatedly compared himself to Howard Beale.(http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3795)

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Watch The Network, the part where Howard Beale gets religion from the CEO.

All will be explained.

Ill do as soon as i can.

I dont know who Glenn Beck is, but i do know all of you do, and i found this tidbit...

Conservative talk-show host, Glenn Beck, has repeatedly compared himself to Howard Beale.(http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3795)

That's hilarious, given how Beale turned out.

[Z³]

Cramulus, that artwork looks like a Dystopia cover.
actually it does, thisone:

[The Johnny]

Cramulus, that artwork looks like a Dystopia cover.
actually it does, thisone:

Wow, i havent seen that band mentioned about... 9 years ago...