Friday, July 11, 2014

Michael Ventura — Letters at 3AM: That Word 'Oligarchy'

Moyers finished with a good deal more sand: "Inequality is what has turned Washington into a protection racket for the one percent. ... The drift toward oligarchy ... has become a mad dash, and it will overrun us, and overwhelm us, unless we stop it."
(Note: When Moyers wondered what might stop Oligarchy, he cited mass uprising, consistent demonstrations, and insurgent politics – not traditional party politics.)
Mr. Moyers, I have the deepest respect for you, but I must point out that what's happening is not a drift, nor a mad dash, nor will Oligarchy overrun us; Oligarchy is upon us, claw and beak, and has been for some time.
Hard to see, because it is faceless. Hard to track because it is right in front of us, posing as the capitalism Americans believe in. Hard to fight, because legislators and judges get rich doing its bidding. Hard even to think about, because it is very hard to say out loud that the American dream is a goner. We don't know how to face that – or how to think about what comes next.…
We don't need new economics thinking as much as we do new political awareness and activism.
To be obedient to the status quo to is collaborate. The question becomes, Do I collaborate with Oligarchy or do I find my way to resist?
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