Yes. You probably have your own reasons. These are mine.
Is it actually possible to make real, system wide changes in our government, using the processes and procedures put in place by the very politicians, judges, and bureaucrats that now run this bloated, deficit spending monster? Probably not, but I'd love to be proven wrong. Revolutions are messy.
I've voted Libertarian for many years now. Most of my friends consider that a waist of a vote. In the horse race that is the Elephant/Donkey show we are subjected to every election year, I guess that's true. But I believe that the race is rigged, and has been for a long time. We think we are choosing between a Republican and a Democrat, a conservative and a liberal. Not true. We are choosing which professional politician we like the most. Or, we are voting to keep the professional politician we dislike the most, out of office. They are the same animal; call them a Donkphant, or an Elekey, whatever you want. I call them corrupt by design.
Too harsh? Let me ask you this. Why is it that elected representatives of your local government, and state government for the most part, are men and women who serve in this capacity, not as their primary means of support, but in addition to having a job, or career, but for some reason, the federal level requires that they not only serve full time, with lucrative paychecks, but they are given offices, staff, and all sorts of ‘perks' unknown to those of us in the real world? The real mystery is why we have allowed this to go on for so long.
Actually it's not a mystery when you understand that they have figured out how to play the American people. They play us like fiddle. They know we love a good fight, and they know we tire easily of the champ, the one on top, and enjoy bringing the top down after a time. So what do they do? They divide themselves into ‘camps', the red team and the blue team. Then they go about their business, picking battles with the other side, that the 24/7 news channels bring into our homes night after night, because they too, know how to play us for ratings and advertising dollars.
If you think there is a vast difference between the two major parties, then show me the vast difference between the Bush years and t he Clinton years. What has changed in our society in a noticeable way with the passing of the baton from one camp to the other? Have you seen an end to poverty that the liberal side claims to desire? Have you seen an end to high taxes that the conservative side claims to desire? Of course not, and you never will. It's not in their interest to completely defeat the other side. Defeating the other side to that degree removes their reason to be. The game would be over. The grab for money and power could no longer be justified.
Already the federal level is elected by a percentage of eligible voters that usually hovers around 50%, so the revolution is technically already underway, it's just that the revolutionaries are well fed and happy in front of the TV, and not much up for storming the castle at the moment. But that could change. Ironically, it may be the 24/7 news machines, thirsty for any story that will glue eyeballs to the box, combined with the free flow information of the Internet, that turns the remote into a pitchfork. Revelations of corruption on a scale we've never seen could soon surface, and it will hit in all camps.
Will we see an actual, violent revolution in this country? Hopefully not, but could it happen? Of course it could. Just because we are the USA, a unique experiment in human history, does not make us immune to such upheavals. In fact, our uniqueness probably makes us more exposed to the threat. It's how we came to be. It's our national nature to revolt. It's up to us; We The People.
©2008 Lon McNeil, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, February 25, 2008
Last modified: Monday, February 25, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Lon McNeil only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Lon McNeil is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-02-26 10:02:02
Every generation has its revolution, we really havent had one since the late 60s. We are definately due one, but the powers that be keep us just fat and happy enough to let it slide. But have no doubt, it will explode with in the next decade, it took almost 20 years for the Great Revolution to "start". This one will take less time than that. LIBERTY or DEATH
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-02-27 08:25:31
Many people confuse the words "revolution" and "rebellion." A revolution is a change, such as a change in a way of thinking, a change in architecture, or a change in government. Revolutions in government are sometimes accompanied by violence, but not always.
Rebellions are always violent.
When a revolution is accompanied by violence, what we're really saying is that there was a revolution followed by a rebellion. This is a very important distinction, because it means that we have a choice. Our revolution can be non-violent, or it can be accompanied by a violent rebellion.
Which option will we choose?
Posted By: Jeff
Date: 2009-04-10 03:14:38
Lon, If you see this before you hear from me, PLEASE contact me via southwestgalibertarian@gmail.com
I am organizing an official LP-Ga affiliate in the Albany area, and would LOVE for you to join us! :)