France: Strikes, Protests Mount vs. Austerity Measures

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Joanna:
> Aw, Woj, no. First, meritocracy is a sham; it's just a buzz 
> word for having 
> the right connections. For examble, Dubya. For example, Manhattanites 
> spending a million on bribes to get their kids in the right 
> pre-schools.
> 
> "Technological progress and innovation" -- sounds nice, but 
> it's bullshit. 
> I've been working in the computer industry for twenty years 
> and guess what, 
> the best technology almost NEVER winds. Are GM foods part of 
> that picture?
> 
> "Transcending national boundaries" -- yeah for capital.
> 
> "Secularism" -- some of that is good; some has more to do with not 
> recongizing any higher principle than the "material comfort 
> of  deserving 
> individuals" -- see point 1, meritocracy.
> 
> .... we need to get beyond buzzwords, to the underlying reality.

Joanna, you do not have to convince me that "free-market" ideology is a
sham that covers the power grab by corporate functionaries and their
government cronies.  I stated that in my original message.  But the same
can be said about "socialim" which was a cover up for a power grab by
Soviet functionaries. 

The point is that to many people, "free market" symbolizes what
"socialism" used to - even though the actual practice is a far cry from
the ideal.  Thi shows not only how successful the corporate propaganda
is, but that the left lost th ebattle for the hearts and minds of the
people.  Nothing the left is saying can instill the same hope for the
future that would compare with the free market ideology.  Maybe in 50 or
so years people will realize thet they have been duped once more by
corporate and government functionaries, but I am afraid I will not be
able to see that.

Wojtek