Working Towards Democracy
By Paul Fasse
People have a basic misunderstanding of the institutional system in America, and how that system affects everyone. In this country, we live in a plutocracy. It is top-down rule where the corporate elite (a small minority of the population) has control over the government, businesses, and the military to serve their interests. This has an enormous detrimental effect on the people and on the planet’s environment. Corporations are totalitarian institutions where the elite make decisions to maximize profit and minimize expense, and the workers do not have a voice in decisions. The political, social, economic rights of the majority of people are not considered whatsoever in corporate decisions and environmental destruction is not taken into account in their thought process.
This does not mean that we lack democratic elements in our country. Unfortunately, people (in general) do not realize that the democratic elements of society were fought for through progressive activism. If you look at all of these democratic elements – abolition of slavery, the right to vote, civil rights, forty-hour work weeks, child labor laws, minimum wages, the right to organize and strike, and many more – were all fought for by people who organized and took back what is rightfully theirs from the elite class who had brought oppression on the majority of the population. Some of the activists who fought these struggles against the elite class had to do so for the survival of themselves and their families. Others joined the fight because they saw the injustice perpetrated upon others for the benefit of the elite class that seeks never-ending profits driven by greed and the desire for power.
Progressives have simple beliefs that many others consider just and moral. These include: equality for all; acting to leave the world a little better than you found it; not taking advantage of others; and striving to live in a more democratic society. These are some basic principles that progressives believe in and act upon. Unfortunately, progressives are looked down upon by some people who are not part of the elite class. People may say things like, "Why do you hate America?" or "Love it or leave it" to dissidents. They feel that someone critical of our government is attacking everyone in America, and the ideals that this country was founded upon. But if one really pays attention, the exact opposite is true. Progressives are fighting for the rights asserted in the Declaration of Independence. Progressive attempt to make government more accountable and democratic, cracking down on corporate corruption and opposing the oppression of all innocent people.
This cynicism and hatred for progressives comes from the propaganda system that bombards us every day. The media, owned by corporate America, send a basic message: "Be complacent and apathetic, we will make the decisions. We are all knowing, and those against us are un-American and unpatriotic." Of course they do not come right out and say this, but it is an underlying theme in the media.
We face an unbelievably ingenious indoctrination system. It has to be since we live in a free society. If people were not so well indoctrinated, the elite would probably resort to more violent means of control, which have been common in Latin American countries.
Some people do not even realize that they are being lied to everyday. The media message says not to question or criticize our president (most notably in times of war). The media say, Stand behind him because he and all the people in our government and business elite believe in freedom and democracy.
Corporate and government propaganda usually does not even give essential facts about issues and events, since someone who understands the facts would not buy into the corporate propaganda. People in Afghanistan and the Mid-East do not accept the American media’s claim that "the United States is fighting a war against terrorism to end terrorism." People of that region can see it is complete nonsense when the U.S. government has killed approximately 4,000 innocent Afghan civilians while risking starvation for millions in their "war against terrorism" (along with many other atrocities the U.S. government has caused around the world).
The average person is bombarded with propaganda every day and is rarely allowed an alternative view. People are given the idea that "We the People" "by, of and for the people" "the unalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" coincide with the actions of the elites in government and corporations. Yet the elite constantly makes policies that inhibit ideas and discourage freedom and democracy. Social aid, public investment, and basic infrastructure spending is always second to corporate welfare and military spending.
Progressive activists believe in the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality and have fought for them throughout American. Yet, when many people hear a progressive, read an article, or see them demonstrating, they look down upon progressives as un-American and cynical. The sad part of it is, progressives are just as American and optimistic as anyone else who lives here. Progressives are fighting for the individual rights of the majority of the population, along with the right for all to live in a clean and healthy environment. Progressives are not cynical. They see injustice and work to end that injustice. The negative attitude towards activism is just another way that indoctrination has taught Americans to give up without thinking.
The elite class does everything to make average Americans person fight amongst themselves instead of understanding the fundamental problems and uniting to bring about justice for themselves and others. The elite uses race, religion, sexual preference, etc. to say, "Look, everyone is different. You should not like other people who are different from you." Actually, everyone is the same in many different ways. No one wants to be a slave to others; no one wants others to make decisions about issues that directly affect their lives. People innately want control over their lives. People want to be able to have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But the propaganda system divides us so we do not get down to the real issue of what is taking away our basic inalienable rights: the elite’s drive for money and power. The elites do not care whether you are white, black, straight, gay, American, or Swedish: they will oppress you the same to get what they want. The elite do not have a stake in freedom and democracy. They simply want money and power. The ones who are fighting for your rights truly do care for you and your family. Yet so many people look down upon progressivism and activism without even listening to what they’re fighting for.
The problem of plutocracy is not just one individual at the top of a corporation or the government. It is an institutional problem. If George W. Bush is impeached for crimes against humanity or Bill Gates is stripped of his powers, the system still remains. If we as human beings want to reach our full humanity, we must liberate ourselves from oppression. That does not mean a coup or an instant overthrow of the government. Change takes a long time. If there was a violent revolution, the thoughts and ideas of the majority of people would remain the same (and violent means never reach a just end).
Ideas and beliefs need to be changed for people to truly liberate themselves from a plutocratic and oppressive institution. How do we do this? Make changes in your own life. Become an independent thinker. See what you can do to make this world a better place. Make incremental changes in your life that will promote a sustainable environment and will not take advantage or other people for your own benefit. Get involved with active organizations. Find a topic that you are passionate about (gay rights, environmentalism, anti-sweatshop movements, media, ethical treatment of animals, anti-globalization) and get involved. Keep in mind the ultimate goal of liberating the majority from the oppression of the elites. Make better choices when you buy products: look for products made from recycled materials, try to find clothes that are not made in sweatshops or clothes made from hemp. Be an active citizen.
If we are truly to live in a democracy, individuals must involve themselves in the struggle for democracy. Noam Chomsky says it best, "If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world. That’s your choice."
