"I've been through Y2K and I've been through 9/11. I have never seen people so afraid as what we are seeing right now,” said gun shop owner Scott Moss recently. With more guns per capita – easily 250 million privately owned ones – and certainly more people in prisons than any other democracy, the intriguing question in this still worsening economic calamity is: If Americans found the courage for political rebellion now, would it preempt massive criminal violence, social havoc and armed rebellion later?
What we see President Obama and Congress doing and debating seem inadequate to restore financial health and security to the vast majority of Americans before millions more lives are devastated. Billions of tax dollars have gone to banks, corporations and others but have not stopped the hemorrhage of our financial lifeblood. More than half a million jobs continue to be lost a month; 3.5 million in the past year. Millions are losing their homes, health insurance and ability to buy food. Those with jobs are afraid to spend money.
As Nobel Prize winning and eternally gloomy economist Paul Krugman said the other day after condemning what is going on in Washington, DC: “the economy is still in free fall” and we may be “falling into an economic abyss.” Harsh words for a harsh reality.
Recently, President Obama said: “A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe.” But what really matters is exactly what actions the government takes and whether they are what is needed. Besides, about the same time, his senior advisor David Axelrod said on television that “we have an economic catastrophe.” For most Americans, catastrophe seems more accurate.
Meanwhile, the elite Upper Class that stole the nation’s wealth in recent years with their greed and political clout, and destroyed the global economic system, are still sitting pretty in their McMansions, penthouses, private jets and yachts. They still enjoy their $50,000+ cars, still wine and dine in incredibly expensive restaurants, and still retain more wealth than ordinary people can imagine. Brioni men’s suits for $40,000+ are selling fast.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - The Obnoxious American
First, it's pretty crappy to lay all of our problems at the feet of the rich. Prove it. See I thought the problem was all these borrowers taking out loans they couldn't handle, and banks being too loose with credit (which is what Government asked them to do for PC reasons).
As far as I can tell, none of our economic issues are a result of some Americans buying expensive cars or dining at expensive restaurants. I'd like to remind you that buying cars and dining out are exactly what helps the economy.
It's almost as if you wished Americans were rioting in the streets and having a revolution. Is that what you are positioning as the solution? I don't get it.
2 - Roger Nowosielski
Joel,
I fail to see the point of your article, and I mean it sincerely. What are you suggesting - civil unrest, riots, coming to arms, any of the above? Seriously now, what is your point?
3 - pablo
I like this article very much, particularly the part about how docile most american have become regarding their fate. I remember several years ago in the Ukraine I believe that there was a very hotly contested election, which many people believed to be fraudulent in nature, literally millions of people were in the street.
Here in the land of the free, the sheople blindly go about their business, and trusting in their government to provide for free and honest elections, yes folks I am talking about voting machines. I think that there is a mass form of brainwashing afoot, using a combination of television, prescription drugs, particularly anti-depressants, and indoctrination.
I do also see (not very much on this site however) more people waking up to the matrix sham around them than ever before in my life, with the possible exception of the late 60's, and I do find that encouraging.
Americans, you have been scammed, millions of you have lost a hundred thousand dollars or more, they are putting up a police state grid all around you, not to prevent terrorists, but to monitor YOU.
The wolf is in the henhouse, guess who the hens are.
The Federal Reserve, the World Bank, the Club of Rome, are beginning to tighten the noose folks, wake up and smell the boots. You can call me an alarmist if you like, but so was another paul with the last name of Revere.
Can you imagine what it would be like, if you were to come to the realization that 9/11 was an inside job, and obama a wolf in sheeps clothing? Oh god forbid! Oh heaven help us. Psssst its true.
4 - Ruvy
Baa-aah, baa-aah, bleat the sheep. 'Are you asking for civil unrest?', they shiver.
Joel is asking why Americans are not rioting like the Greeks have. He wants to know where that "revolutionary spirit" has flown off to. He wants to know why they are not looking at the Declaration of Independence and seeing that when a government engages in a long train of abuses to one end, it is time to overthrow it. Must a foreigner explain to you the meaning of these documents? Have you fallen so low in your level of understanding?
The United States of America has a failsafe built into its Declaration of Independence - the right of revolution. It's not there as mere flowery language; it is the basis upon which a free nation is built - a unique guarantee of freedom. Or have you forgotten this also?
5 - The Obnoxious American
Pablo,
I think it has much more to do with the reality of quality of life here. Even the poor have a pretty good life in comparison with poor from other countries. So if we are all losing our jobs, well there will be unemployment and welfare, and even if we are merely underpaid, there will be tax credits. So what is there to get so hot about.
I think your comment on 9/11 reaches into the bizzare. Sorry but that's a fringe view, unsubstantiated by anything, and frankly insulting to Americans. I may not agree with Obama, but he is no terrorist, just like Bush wasn't a terrorist or equal to hitler.
I will say one thing. I am one of those Americans buying up guns. I just placed an order for this fine AR-15 - and DPMS says that I will have to wait a full year to get it due to the Obama induced rush.
This after just picking up a Saiga 308 (AK 47 variant). Those that read my articles know I already had guns, but with Pelosi, Reid and Obama's rubber stamp, it's only a matter of time before our rights to buy semi auto rifles in the color black is taken away. I'll be grandfathered.
6 - Dr Dreadful
Boasting that you went through Y2K is a bit like saying that you survived a cold.
7 - Joel S. Hirschhorn
Glad to see Pablo and Ruvy seem to get the truth in contrast to most regulars on this site. I actually extended this article after submission and for those of you that care, the longer version with more of a solution aspect.
8 - pablo
Obnoxious
Bush is not only a terrorist by his own definition of the word, but a war criminal as well. As regards to Hitler too bad you cant ask Bush's late grandfather Prescott who was one of Hitler's chief financial supporters about that.
9 - The Obnoxious American
oooh, he pulled out the Preston Bush reference. Now my whole world is turned upside down.... not.
Fact is, Bush was way more of a friend to the Jewish people than so far at least Obama is turning out to be. Plenty of people supported Hitler before he started sending Jews to the showers. Are you saying that Preston Bush, and by extension any of the Bush family are secretly Nazi sympathizers? Prove it.
10 - The Obnoxious American
Ruvy,
Excuse me for not running for my guns at the first sight of a liberal President. Yes, revolution is a right, but has it occurred to anyone that perhaps there isn't a need?
See, America is stronger than Obama, it's stronger than the liberal wing of the Democratic party. I am confident that if Obama continues to make decisions that are not in America's best interest, we will stop talking about him within 4 years. Democrats in Congress as soon as 2. And if America decides that the Obama/Pelosi/Reid vision for America is the one to follow, then perhaps I need to find another place to live.
See one of the great things about Democracy, we can vote our views. And we don't need to vote with a bullet.
11 - Roger Nowosielski
#7,
You should have done it in the first place.
As it stands, it's like a foreplay without climax or a sentence without a punctuation point. Be a mensch and spit it out, unless you're chicken shit!
12 - Joel S. Hirschhorn
Anyone who has witnessed President George W. Bush and now the President Obama and still believes in the American electoral system should have their head examined with the very best technology. Our two-party plutocracy has made a mockery of our electoral system. There is no real, meaningful and necessary political competition. There can be no rebellion within the current electoral system, just a delusional change from Dems to Repubs or vice versa, as if the ruling class does not control both parties.
13 - pablo
#9 Obnoxious American
"Plenty of people supported Hitler before he started sending Jews to the showers. Are you saying that Preston Bush, and by extension any of the Bush family are secretly Nazi sympathizers? Prove it."
I will be happy to prove that for you with reference to; his name was Prescott not Preston by the way.
Prescott Bush was also responsible for Tricky Dicks rise to power as well, and will also provide proof of that as well.
Alas my time for show and tell has ended for the day, and I must now sleep. I will be back tomorrow Obnoxious with proof and references to your request.
14 - Jordan Richardson
Bloody hell, you people are so dramatic about everything.
How long has Barack Obama been the president? A touch over two weeks? And all of this bitching about the "stimulus package" that actually features money to industries instead of a blank cheque to bank bosses and lending institutions is reasonable to the hypocritical Right? Really?
Is this all some kind of joke?
And Obnox, good luck finding another place to live. Like it or not, the civilized world actually progresses for the most part. Values like taking care of others and providing for the least of these is something most of the world hold dear, so you're going to have to look far and wide for a country that still bows at the soulless altar of whatever hybrid economical and political system it is you want to serve your best interests. Maybe China in five years?
15 - Jordan Richardson
Prescott Bush was also responsible for Tricky Dicks rise to power as well, and will also provide proof of that as well.
Prescott and the Bush Dynasty had a hell of a lot more to gain from Nixon's fall than from his rise. Nixon was paranoid and antisocial. He hated the Bush's beloved CIA and thought the spies were out to get him. Watergate was a setup designed to frame Tricky Dick and take him down to open the path for the Bush Dynasty and the use of unfettered spy activity and the like. It's a long, complicated discussion that I'll elaborate on in a future book review, but there's a lot of truth to the notion that the Bush Dynasty has their fingers in many historically controversial pies.
Mmmm, pies...
16 - The Obnoxious American
" Values like taking care of others and providing for the least of these is something most of the world hold dear"
Can you pass some of what you are smoking?
I mean seriously, all of a sudden most of the world holds this dear? Let's forget about the reality of socialism for a minute and just think about the substance of this. Most of the world is in China, the middle east. Do most of them hold taking care of others as something dear?
Wake up.
I do agree with your other points Jordan, but that one comment is nuts.
17 - Roger Nowosielski
"There can be no rebellion within the current electoral system, just a delusional change from Dems to Repubs or vice versa, as if the ruling class does not control both parties."
There you go again - saying it without really saying it.
Are you always such an incomplete, a mid-sentence phenomenon? Spit it out or hold your peace.
18 - Jordan Richardson
Can you pass some of what you are smoking?
Is this your Witty Line of the Day?
Do most of them hold taking care of others as something dear?
Yes. They do. Most Americans do, most Chinese people do, most Canadians do, etc.
Do tell me what the "reality of socialism" is in your opinion, though. This should be "rich."
19 - The Obnoxious American
"Is this your Witty Line of the Day?"
I've been feeling lots of sympathy for Phelps lately.
"Yes. They do. Most Americans do, most Chinese people do, most Canadians do, etc."
Way to not answer the question as posed. Newsflash, Americans plus Canadians does not equal most of the world.
And I have a feeling my characterization of socialism would be just a tad bit less rich than your glorification of it. But one thing that won't be rich with socialism? Either of us.
20 - Roger Nowosielski
Jordan.
He bills himself as "obnoxious," the implication being he feels he must live up to that name.
I think it's a lost cause. Why argue?
21 - The Obnoxious American
"he's obnoxious, why argue" (paraphrased)
We've now entered into the ad hominem portion of our program ladies and gentlemen. Rather than address the points, people are once again going to the fall back position of merely attacking me. Enjoy that.
22 - Roger Nowosielski
Not ad hominem, obnoxious. Simply using the very same terms by means of which you choose to describe yourself. And my suggestion to Jordan was not a personal attack on you, only my humble opinion that any further discussion is futile.
But don't worry. You're not the only one. This whole site is full of people like that - from the Left and the Right. So you see, I'm quite liberal in bestowing my praises.
23 - The Obnoxious American
Fair enough Roger. Just as info, my moniker is explained in the blurb below the articles. It's not so much to be obnoxious in discussion (I'd like to think I am pretty cordial and respectful, though many liberals might disagree) but rather I am trying to represent what the Euro snob elite refer to as the classical Obnoxious American.
24 - Roger Nowosielski
Well, I hear you; and it's a catchy one. But you know that all the flies are gonna stick to the ointment. Unless you couldn't care less for the static.
25 - Baronius
Pardon me for going off on a tangent.
What does it matter what Presqueisle Bush did in the 1940's, or the 1960's for that matter? Who cares if Osama bin Laden is part of the wealthy bin Laden family? There are a half dozen issues on which my dad and I don't see eye to eye, and my brother and I don't agree on anything. I've never understood the fixation that conspiracy theorists have on the bloodline of the Rockefellers or anyone else. Heck, I barely agree with myself from 20 years ago. The idea that generations share in a conspiracy flies in the face of human nature.