The War Against Democracy

[donquixote99]

Henry A. Giroux: What we have seen in the United States and a number of other countries since the 1970s is the emergence of a savage form of free market fundamentalism, often called neoliberalism, in which there is not only a deep distrust of public values, public goods and public institutions but the embrace of a market ideology that accelerates the power of the financial elite and big business while gutting those formative cultures and institutions necessary for a democracy to survive.
"Neoliberal societies, in general, are in a state of war - a war waged by the financial and political elite against youth, low-income groups, the elderly, poor minorities of color, the unemployed, immigrants and others now considered disposable."

The commanding institutions of society in many countries, including the United States, are now in the hands of powerful corporate interests, the financial elite and right-wing bigots whose strangulating control over politics renders democracy corrupt and dysfunctional. Of course, what is unique about the United States is that the social contract and social wage are subject to a powerful assault by the right-wing politicians and anti-public intellectuals from both political parties. Those public spheres and institutions that support social provisions, the public good and keep public value alive are under sustained attack. Such attacks have not only produced a range of policies that have expanded the misery, suffering and hardships of millions of people, but have also put into place a growing culture of cruelty in which those who suffer the misfortunes of poverty, unemployment, low skill jobs, homelessness and other social problems are the object of both humiliation and scorn.

Neoliberal societies, in general, are in a state of war - a war waged by the financial and political elite against youth, low-income groups, the elderly, poor minorities of color, the unemployed, immigrants and others now considered disposable. Liberty and freedom are now reduced to fodder for inane commercials or empty slogans used to equate capitalism with democracy. At the same time, liberty and civil rights are being dismantled while state violence and institutional racism is now spreading throughout the culture like wildfire, especially with regards to police harassment of young black and brown youth. A persistent racism can also be seen in the attack on voting rights laws, the mass incarceration of African-American males, and the overt racism that has become prominent among right-wing Republicans and Tea Party types, most of which is aimed at President Obama.

more at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/24121...henry-a-giroux

I just wish there were right wingers here capable of more than just calling this names. My main issue with the whole article is that while the criticism of current events and trends is incisive, suggestions on 'what is to be done' are vague and abstract.

[Dondilion]

There is nothing wrong with the Democracy. The mass of people are too
damn lazy in terms of their civic interaction.

[donquixote99]

The point of the article is not that there is anything 'wrong with democracy.'

I'm really puzzled as to why you respond to a piece suggesting that the elite are at 'war' with democracy, with a swipe at the 'masses.'

[whell]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

more at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/24121...henry-a-giroux

I just wish there were right wingers here capable of more than just calling this names. My main issue with the whole article is that while the criticism of current events and trends is incisive, suggestions on 'what is to be done' are vague and abstract.

I wish there were left wingers here who would open their eyes and see that they are enablers of the process described in the article as well. For example:

The commanding institutions of society in many countries, including the United States, are now in the hands of powerful corporate interests, the financial elite and right-wing bigots whose strangulating control over politics renders democracy corrupt and dysfunctional.

While the author would choose to blame "right wing zealots", its truly the left in this country that is firmly in control of the machinery of government. The "machinery of government" goes far beyond the current inhabitants of the White House and Congress. Its the left that controls the bureaucracies that actually carry out the laws and regulations that government imposes, which are written by elected officials that have become corrupted by those "powerful corporate interests".

Yet folks in this forum want to continue to turn to the elected class to solve the very issues that the author or your article cites. It blows my mind how some folks in this forum can conclude that more laws and more government oversight is the solution, when government is corrupt and dysfunctional as a result of being polluted by money and influence pedaling. I just can't figure out how some folks think that feeding the beast and helping it grow and sustain itself is the fix for this.

Picking sides in the political battle isn't going to fix this. I really think we're at the point where we need to disassemble the machine, give it a thorough cleaning, and then put it back together so it works correctly.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

Yet folks in this forum want to continue to turn to the elected class to solve the very issues that the author or your article cites. It blows my mind how some folks in this forum can conclude that more laws and more government oversight is the solution, when government is corrupt and dysfunctional as a result of being polluted by money and influence pedaling. I just can't figure out how some folks think that feeding the beast and helping it grow and sustain itself is the fix for this.

I guess the difference is between those who want better government and those who want no government.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I guess the difference is between those who want better government and those who want no government.

Its posts like this that will continue to perpetuate the problem. There is NO ONE who is actively and appropriately participating in the political process that is advocating for no government.

The issue is more likely that we'd all like to see a good spring cleaning in Washington - and to a greater or lesser extent at the state level. Some of us would like to see government in DC reduced in scope - I for one believe that there is far to much political power - and the accompanying influence pedaling and corruption - inside the beltway. But no one I know or respect advocates for "no government"

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I guess the difference is between those who want better government and those who want no government.

Of course, 'no government' is impossible. If you tear down the current government because you think you want 'no government,' that's not what you'll get. You'll get a new government, and it will clearly demonstrate how silly it was to think of the current one as a 'tyranny.'

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by whell

Its posts like this that will continue to perpetuate the problem. There is NO ONE who is actively and appropriately participating in the political process that is advocating for no government.

The issue is more likely that we'd all like to see a good spring cleaning in Washington - and to a greater or lesser extent at the state level. Some of us would like to see government in DC reduced in scope - I for one believe that there is far to much political power - and the accompanying influence pedaling and corruption - inside the beltway. But no one I know or respect advocates for "no government"

Ah, some good sense. Reform and good government are worthy goals, and we can work together, find areas of agreement, compromise, get some things done. We each get some of what we want, as opposed to the current climate of stalemate and animosity. Sound good?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I guess the difference is between those who want better government and those who want no government.

Right. And no government, Anarchy, is the ultimate corruption. It is the legitimatization of damaging unethical and criminal behavior.

Dave

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

Its posts like this that will continue to perpetuate the problem. There is NO ONE who is actively and appropriately participating in the political process that is advocating for no government.

The issue is more likely that we'd all like to see a good spring cleaning in Washington - and to a greater or lesser extent at the state level. Some of us would like to see government in DC reduced in scope - I for one believe that there is far to much political power - and the accompanying influence pedaling and corruption - inside the beltway. But no one I know or respect advocates for "no government"

Thus far, the Tea Party's record with respect to governance belies your assertion.