On Thu, Jul 21, 1:19 Joanna wrote:
Despite the decline of living standards for the vast majority of Americans in the last thirty years, it is still the case that a great number of them think that Gates has earned his money, that the poor are lazy and stupid, and that govt support undermines creativity and enterprise. That's "belief."
Dennis R: True, but that belief wasn't completely irrational - it was backed by the jobs spun off by a vast military-industrial complex, and by neoliberalism's 30-year credit bubble.
Isn't it just the pernicious idea that people always get what they deserve? I think this is maybe where Joanna's use of the term, "belief," is so perfect. That is, there is something religious or at least quasi-religious in the refusal of people to recognize that the world is not fundamentally just, that people don't necessarily get what they deserve. Gates gets what he deserves, for his innovation or boldness or "entrepreneurial spirit" or what-the-fuck-ever, while the homeless guy down the street, well, it's sad, but he also clearly just didn't work hard enough. otherwise, why would he be there? j
All of this is acceptable as coming from the Press Box for the amusement or edification of the fans at home. It's accurate enough. But as soon as you look at it from a _political perspective_, i.e. from the perspective of those actively engaged in responding to and attempting to change this condition, then the whole post goes wrong with the phrase, "a great number of them." Very seriously, So Fucking What! This is just more of Richard II: Let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings.
If a great number believe P, quite obviously a rather great number believe Q. And do you want to change the world. Do you want to have any effect what so ever on u.s. social relations and state policy? If you do, simply forget about those who believe P. Form or join some sort of activist group. Pick a target, any target. That gets people together trying to do something. When people get together trying to do something, then they begin to talk to each other but how to do it (and also whether they should be doing something a bit different). And when they do that, then ideas, even complex and strange ideas, begin to be of great interest to them. And you begin to search out some of those who already believe Q more or less, to find among them a few more who believe Q just a bit more passionately, and they will join you and begin arguing with you and beginbringing in other ideas or other suggestions for precise goal. People will start quiting books and blogs to each other, and they will be excited about it. Followers of King Richard will still sit on the sidelines moanting about how stupid or something a great number of Americans are, but these people don't count any more, either - though some of them will get excited by what is going on and begin to participate and argue with peole also in action rather than with other bleacher bums.
And sure - nothing might happen. We might not be able to stop history (history and capitalism are the same). We may lose. As Karl said to the reporter: Struggle. And struggle has no predictable outcome.
But isn't it more fun to go down fighting than moaning in the bleachers.
Carrol
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