Ever get the feeling that virtually nobody with power gives a crap about your life?

[felix_numinous]

81. Exactly like an abusive relationship

where people are so loyal to their marriage contract and other family members, and intimidated into compliance, we cannot see our way out. We defend this contract we have as if those we are in partnership with are acting in our best interests.

I have learned about abuse and recognize this dynamic. We the People have got to stop contributing, enabling, and believing in people who demonstrate over and over that they do not have our best interests at stake. It is much easier to go back to sleep and endlessly complain about the latest outrage, and the next, and the next. We FEED this relationship by paying into it with our money, our soldiers, and by debating as if there is any chance we will be heard.

How do people deal with abuse? First they have to identify it, admit that it is going on, and this requires putting your foot down and saying NO. Then you have to hold your ground, because people resist change, and hold onto the familiar even if it hurts. Americans are in this stage--we are looking around and seeing our infrastructure collapsing, we do not feel safe, and do not believe this trajectory will support future generations of our families.

We have to do what is most uncomfortable--to have the courage to change the dynamic, to change the relationship we have with those who have taken too much from us. This has gone on for too long.

I think we have a lot to learn from Iceland. People do have the power to make changes.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/15/lessons-from-iceland-people-power