Our Socioeconomic Position is at Risk

When was that question put to the people to democratically vote on? "WE".....? "They"........?

"Land of the Free" from John Jensen on Vimeo.

The video was made as a student film...but has stirred up controversy.Thought provoking, if nothing else. From the author: Edited by Phat, : added comment

It was voted on when WE elected Congressmen that repealed the limits on the number of outlets that could be held by any one person, when WE voted to elect Congressmen that voted to repeal the Fairness Doctrine and when WE voted to allow the repeal of the Chinese Wall between News and opinion/entertainment.WE continue to vote for that by watching and supporting the programs and advertisers that make up FOX Network.They is WE, WE is ignorant and woefully uneducated and seem to love it.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

When those who have been elected are subject to intense lobbying by those with the most wealth, power and influence how much difference does it ultimately make which individuals get elected? That is a genuine question rather than a point as such. Speak for yourself.?

It makes all the difference in the world. If those elected are swayed by lobbying and the voters allow them to stay in office then it is the voters that created the situation.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

And when those who do the lobbying reward those elected officials who succumb to their demands with increased funding and exposure for their future electoral campaigns.........?

Then the voters need to vote those elected officials out of office. It is called a recall election.The point Straggler is that it is only WE that can make a difference. WE can do it peacefully or violently, with as little pain as possible or with very great pain, but only WE can change things.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Against the might of media ownership, propaganda, misinformation and an entire self perpetuating system where those with great wealth and influence implement that system to their ongoing benefit - That is a pretty tough ask. You seem to be effectively saying that "WE" will have to stop behaving in a manner that is innately human. Well obviously. Who has actually disagreed with that? Where I find your stance wholly unsatisfactory is here - Message 15Because I continue to find the idea that everyone included in your "WE" as having an equal say in shaping society by virtue of being able to vote as unrealistic in the extreme.

Whatever.Perhaps you have some other suggested actions?

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

I think it would help if those, such as yourself, who are about to pass onto future generations a system of much diminished democratic power identified that problem to those they hope will solve it rather than hiding behind soundbites like "we dood it to ourselves". For what it is worth I will be partaking in the range of peaceful protests that are taking place here in London. The occupation of bank branches and premises owned by other tax dodging multinationals. For the day turning them into libraries, youth centres and other such facilities facing closure due to the cuts we are facing. About Us and Contact PageThere is also a massive march in London this Saturday - About Us and Contact PageHow much difference will any of this make? I dunno. I guess I am hopefully pessimistic.

In regards to us doing it to ourselves, I think that both Straggler and Jar have good points. It is counterproductive to blame others for the status quo. One of my great frustrations and pet peeves about US politics is the endless bickering and stagnation of the current two party system.It is true that we are all in this together and that blaming others wont solve problems. It is also true, however, that change is not as simple as an individual dedicated to causing it. I belong to a union, and see my activism as the key to my survival, but I have a problem in that guaranteeing my survival will involve bringing a lot of people with me, and too many passengers sink the boat.On the other hand, if I jump ship, I wont have the support behind me that I need in order to guarantee my security at my job, and I could be easily replaced.Thus I am forced to choose between two sets of "we".

Good for you. I can personally attest that such efforts do work although often at a high cost. It does have to be a continuing effort though in spite of the personal costs.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Well the march was kinda fun. I ended up having to look after my 1 year old son that day so I took him along. I joined a posse of pram wielding mums from the North of the country who were specifically protesting about the closure of their local children's centre. They seemed happy enough to have me a long for the ride even if only for my local knowledge and ability to point out the sights and explain where things were in relation to each other. All very friendly and jovial in a mildly verbally rowdy sort of way.Estimates of numbers on the march range from 200,000 to half a million. The number I have heard most quoted is 400,000. But whatever the case there were a lot of frustrated and disillusioned people trying to get themselves heard. I remain pessimistic about how much effect any of this will have but must admit my cynical spirits were raised somewhat by the number of people and depth of feeling being expressed. If that level and spread of dissatisfaction can be maintained and focussed I think it will be harder for our politicians to ignore than I had previously assumed. But it remains a big 'If'.There was some inevitable trouble later on. Clashes with police and that sort of thing. Long after people like the mums and I had moved on. It made me feel slightly old that I was one of those who knew no part of that element of the demonstration. It was just something I saw on the news once back home. In my youth I would not have been at the centre of things but I would definitely have known people who knew people who would have been. It would have been part of 'my world' in a way that it just isn't anymore.I am not one who always out of hand condemns such actions. I think sometimes to be heard anger and frustration has to be expressed by the people in a way that can be described as 'civil disobedience' before anyone takes any notice. But in this case, where the numbers of peaceful protestors alone spoke volumes for the level of dissatisfaction, I think the trouble did distract from the numbers. Having said that in my own youth I may not have been fully convinced that a bunch of people cheerfully pushing along prams was going to get my message across either.Times change. But the question remains as to whether we can change the times.

Well, I still see no other possible source for change that "We".Glad you went, glad the cost was as low as it was, hope you can continue to fight the good fight.I can assure you, from personal experience, that WE can change the times. The problem is to keep We remembering that change is continuous and a few victories do not determine the outcome of the war.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Out of interest did any news of any of this make it back to the US at all? Or do such activities in Europe not really register at all with the media over there?