We fear our government here, Patrick. Things aren't bad enough yet for people to risk it; or, things are so bad that people don't believe in the possibility that anything could work. We're fed the ideology of democracy so hardcore growing up that when the illusion pops, we have this sort of entitled response of---well, if my elected leaders aren't representing me, then I'm just giving up altogether! Of course, this (electoral model) is a very limited version of democracy, and what's needed (community organizing? wide-scale non-violent civil disobedience? table-turning?) requires much more of us. That's not fun to think of, and for most (myself included, ultimately), disengaging is easier. Marching (and protest, generally) also isn't built into the culture here like it is in other countries; it's not something one goes out and does with one's friends.
That said, there has been and continues to be lots of amazing activity at the smaller levels. Just saw this (news of a 30-day hunger strike) today: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/12/07-9
i read an american journalist say something this week which was pretty confronting: he said he could use his credit card to pay money to the klu klux klan, but he couldn't to give support to wikileaks. i guess that says a lot.
3 comments:
it's remarkable that 99% of americans haven't marched on wall street and overturned the money tables.
We fear our government here, Patrick. Things aren't bad enough yet for people to risk it; or, things are so bad that people don't believe in the possibility that anything could work. We're fed the ideology of democracy so hardcore growing up that when the illusion pops, we have this sort of entitled response of---well, if my elected leaders aren't representing me, then I'm just giving up altogether! Of course, this (electoral model) is a very limited version of democracy, and what's needed (community organizing? wide-scale non-violent civil disobedience? table-turning?) requires much more of us. That's not fun to think of, and for most (myself included, ultimately), disengaging is easier. Marching (and protest, generally) also isn't built into the culture here like it is in other countries; it's not something one goes out and does with one's friends.
That said, there has been and continues to be lots of amazing activity at the smaller levels. Just saw this (news of a 30-day hunger strike) today:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/12/07-9
wow, that's remarkable adam, fearing one's government.
i read an american journalist say something this week which was pretty confronting: he said he could use his credit card to pay money to the klu klux klan, but he couldn't to give support to wikileaks. i guess that says a lot.
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