In Memoriam: Putting American Democracy on Sale

[xchrom]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/05/28-0



Well, another Memorial Day has come and gone. Another day when we were supposed to remember those who gave their lives to preserve our democracy by working ourselves into a shopping frenzy to get really great friggin’ deals on stuff.

This confluence of commercial excess and sacrifice is the ultimate irony. Because, while we chase bargains and debate the endless faux war on terror, we are ignoring what amounts to a real war being waged right under our collective national nose. Our foe has already taken over our government and undermined our freedoms. We are on the beachhead, standing at democracy’s Dunkirk.

That war is between public good and private profits. And the public is losing. In fact, it’s a rout.

This war is an existential threat to our democracy, and it has the capacity to enslave us in a system that is little better than serfdom. Yes, we have more stuff than serfs did, but our power, our dignity and our wealth are being systematically stripped from us.

[whathehell]

1. Agreed...Good post. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

2. I miss all the 'sales' because I am not a shopper so I don't look for them, just as I don't notice

bars and liquor stores 'cause I am not a drinker. On Memorial Day, dozens of Veterans ride big motorcycles in my neighborhood, I see hundreds of flags waved, and most of the sorts of shops I do use are closed, it is the opposite of a shopping day.
Are these sales in malls and such? Are they really how most Americans do this holiday, or just you? Sure has nothing to do with it in my home, nor my neighborhood.

[monmouth3]

3. Down here in West Palm there was a Jamaican celebration. I kid you not and the people

in my building are fuming. A Jamaican rapper to celebrate Memorial Day..Go figure.