A functioning Democracy requires an informed public

I cannot help but blame the media for it’s role in the de-evolution of our cultural desires. We no longer have a functioning press in the way that our forefathers intended, preoccupied instead with entertainment and ratings, rather than the dissemination of useful and enlightening knowledge. One need not look past what happened to Michael Moore recently to come to this conclusion.

I heard this morning that Michael Moore was scheduled to give a one hour interview with Larry King discussing his new documentary “SiCKO”, on the abuses and realities of our health insurance system. He instead was bumped out of that slot by Paris Hilton to discuss her adventures in jail, whom CNN apparently has decided is of greater importance to the American public than an actual real life public concern. What does this say about our values and aspirations when a pop cultural icon trumps real news? Our health insurance industry is a band of legal thieves and the public is seriously under informed, disconnected, desensitized to and unaware of the truth. It’s no wonder this has occurred when considering the value of what the media sells. Money is what ultimately matters in our materialistic culture.

Consider the national obsession over Anna Nicole Smith‘s death, the popularity of demeaning shows like American Idol, and together their connection and place in the media. Consider now the war we are in, the lies and illegal sidestepping our leaders have used to get us into the war, the poverty on our streets, the lack of basic health care for the citizens of the wealthiest nation in the world, the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity, our faltering educational systems and so on and so forth, the list goes on and on… yet turn on the news and you are far more likely to be informed about the trivial life of Paris Hilton, or who may get voted off of Idol next, rather than of anything of real life importance. We need to refocus on issues that matter and awake from the day Dream so many of the prosperous in this country seem to be preoccupied with. The individual desire to profit is to blame.

Global Warming and economics

The situation of Global Warming needs to be viewed as the battle it currently is. It is no longer a battle between humanity and the environment, but rather a battle between economics and humanity. This is the shift that continues to allude the majority of those holding an opinion.

We can see as a fact the effort put forth by companies such as ExxonMobil to deceive the public into preserving their interests, and rightfully assume that others with economical interests have followed suit in pursuing similar strategies. It is simply the Capitalist way. The dissenting opinion towards Global Warming is monetarily backed and needs to be argued as such.

Perhaps the dangers of Global Warming would be more convincing to the general public if the economical ties were shown. At the very least a cause could be shown for why some dissent in their view. Our biggest threat is no longer environmental responsibility, but again, economic interest.

Redefining the American Dream

There are two definitions listed for dream on dictionary.com which I find interesting, especially when viewed with the concept of the American Dream in mind. Dream is defined as “a wild or vain fancy”, and also as “a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality”.

The American Dream has become both of these, though the term was originally coined to describe the ability to work towards prosperity through hard work and determination. It represented opportunity, and the chance at success. While this is still somewhat true, the American Dream has shifted in reality and fails to mention the uneven playing field which is preserved between the rich and the poor, nor the imperialism that has fueled this great expansive Dream, and the cost that this imperialism has on the quality of life for the ones who’ve been caught in it’s grasp. I am referring to the unequal balance of trade in the third world, to the coffee and cocoa industry which continues to offer disproportionate compensation to the ones who labor over the product, to the sweatshops which function as slave factories so sustain the American lifestyle. I am also referring to the enormous gap between prosperity and poverty in our country, to the fact that to most in our country, the Dream will remain simply a dream.

My problem with the American Dream as it currently exists is that there is no social responsibility built into the framework. Our nation is the wealthiest in the world, though we have plundered and taken for this cause. The elite have suppressed the poor through flawed tax practices, coming nowhere near the percentage of burden to taxed wealth that the middle and lower class pay. A 35% tax to someone who is wealthy isn’t nearly the burden that even a 10% tax is to someone who is poor. Opportunity lies within wealth and the poor simply lack opportunity.

The American Dream is no longer something to be desired. It represents a self serving attitude, and the disregard for the needs of others who fail to fit the agenda. The environment has been degraded, the poor have been oppressed, and the weak have been controlled for the gain of the privileged elite. The result of it all has been an unfulfilled run at material gain. We all as Americans have a responsibility to recognize the source of our wealth and realize the realities that come into play which allow us to afford our lifestyle. We need to recognize that an uncontrolled market is not in the best interests of the masses, and that the state needs to prevent the systemic exploitations which continue to favor a self serving few. We need to recognize that, like all things, there is a lifespan for such an exuberant lifestyle, that all good things have always come to an end, and that it is simply a matter of time before we are awoken from our dream. The rest of the world will only sleep for so long.

Over half a year later and still not much press

I am disturbed by the disinformation campaign ExxonMobil has been revealed to have embarked on from 1998-2005, and even more so by the lack of attention the public has given to this horrific self betterment campaign. During that time, nearly $16 million was spent by Mobil for the purpose of misleading the general public about the dangers of global warming, in particular towards the role that carbon emissions have played in this process, despite the fact that not a single accredited scientist backed any of their claims. They modeled their campaign after the Tobacco industry's disinformation campaign, and in fact employed several of the same sordid minds to help guide their operation. In short, it has worked. The campaign has been successful in delaying the urgency to reform our transportation systems and in weaning the United States off of oil, while at the same time creating an environment for Mobil to profit like no business before. Just last year Mobil earned over $39 billion dollars to a chorus of yeah and nay over the reality of Global Warming. The public is seriously confused on the topic, exactly as Mobil has intended.

Since reading the Union of Concerned Scientist’s report in January of this year, I have had this feeling of loathing for this mindset that puts oneself so far ahead of others in regard. I am hurt that such a tiny percentage of people have put the entire planet at risk for the sake of their own economic intake. Just think, if we do succumb the effects of Global Warming, it will be through the efforts of a few misguided individuals facilitating their own selfish worth at the risk of all others. Sadly, I know of no rules Mobil has broke in the process.

I haven’t given a penny to Mobil since learning of their disturbing business practices, but such an act is merely personal and offers no widespread impact. Instead, I see it fit to attack the problem at the root of the cause. Capitalism, at least as it has been practiced in our country since Reagan stepped into office, has lacked any ethical standards and has served the interests of the rich. The mindset of material gain is inherent in Capitalism, and as such, the ones who are successful want more and more. The people running ExxonMobil, from a capitol viewpoint, saw it in their best interest to mislead the public in order to increase their profit potential. It’s all there as fact. Click the link and help spread the word.

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/ExxonMobil-GlobalWarming-tobacco.html

We need to reform how Capitalism is practiced in this country. We need an accountable form of Capitalism, one that is sustainable and responsible towards our future. Our legal system is no match for our current economic practices. As such, I feel that our laws are in serious need of reform. We need to start viewing our white-collar criminals on the same level as our murderers and rapists, as they murder and rape on a much higher level. Individuals who intentionally misinform the public need to be held accountable for their actions. I cannot think of a worse crime than assaulting the planet for personal gain. Or is that even a crime?

Overview of the project

I envision this blog to be a series of essays and commentaries on matters of grave importance affecting the present and future state of the economical machine America. I am fascinated with the concept of the American Dream in regards to the nightmare it has become for the ones who support it's existence, and furthermore for how real of a dream it may actually be for the ones who do currently prosper. I do not see our position as the leading global power lasting forever, and feel that our time at the top may be nearer than further to an end, especially with the abuses that occur globally and nationally to support the pursuit of the American Dream. I will delve into accepted thought and offer a revisionist's view on the current state of affairs, highlighting the wrongs that come from the unchecked pursuit of wealth and material gain. This blog will serve as a watchdog over the abuses that stem from the elite, and in general, as a watchdog over the under reported issues normally ignored by the rating inspired media conglomerates. I will hold those accountable whose pursuits encroach upon the personal liberties of others, and illustrate the interconnectivity of the seemingly separate issues affecting our society. I invite you to become a part of a revolution and help push money aside in pursuit of the truth. Education is our only hope.