CAN”T KNOCK THE HUSTLE
The hustle and bustle of the lowly struggling to make ends meet and
living hand to mouth; leaves them too poor and tired to enjoy the
“Fine Evenings”
(Brecht, 10). The more people ponder where they are from and where is
there final destination, the less time and energy they can spend
contemplating the decisions those at the top are making. Holding leaders
accountable becomes less and less important when daily struggles
routinely preoccupy thoughts.
Distractions overload the senses from all angles penetrating most
defenses. Subliminally, economically and existentially people are
bombarded with images meant to jade consciences into a Leviathan Sleep.
In Bertolt Brecht’s’ poem “
From A German War Primer” he
references people being so consumed by divided attention they do not
realize the cost of their apathy. Unfortunately, warfare has become
common place among the many global territories and is familiar to all
due to this impassivity.
STOP CHASING YOUR TAIL...
This merry-go-round of confusion and deceit continues to bamboozle
generation after generation, regardless the party of majority or type of
government. Systems are created with the intent on burdening citizens
with little to no income. Obstacles within these bureaucracies’ prevent a
larger percentage of the less privileged and financially strapped
individuals’ from breaking through and achieving upward
intra-generational mobility. Educational debt,
mortgage debt,
car debt, credit card debt have become modern day slavery. Conflicts
across the globe and calls for patriotism blinds eyes. Gone are the days
of discrimination against ethnicity, culture, religion et cetera.
Currently, populations are segregated economically creating a
de-facto-castesystem. The rich continue to prosper; the middle class
continue make the rich richer and the poor are strategically sacrificed
pawns meant to frighten the middle class to continue enriching the most
fortunate sons[i]
of society.“The house painter speaks of great times to come” and mass
public falls in line (Brecht, line 76). These house painting
representatives stand at pulpits preaching anxiety and separatism.
Underneath their sleeves they are armed with a plethora of tools in the
shed of mass public psychological warfare that never fail. Fear and
legislation are the ones utilized most often with effective results.
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
Oct. 30, 1938:
The Martians Have Landed in New Jersey![ii]
This radio broadcast might not have been meant to incite mass panic and
hysteria but the lessons learned during this accidental social
experiment were archived and expanded upon. Media has been an effective
device used to deliver which ever generational fear is most successful
in manipulating the public.
Starting in 1960’s thru 80’s United States and British school children were shown
propaganda films informing them of the safety procedures during an atomic fall out. [iii] Ironic, since it was the U.S. who actually dropped not one but
two A. bombs on Japan.
[iv]
Not long after the dust settled from ozone layer holes caused by hair
spray, nuclear arms races and space wars, a new fear emerged,
Y2K.[v] Today, terrorism is the new global enemy “Either your with us or your with the terrorist”
(George Bush II, 9/20/2011). Justifiable collateral damage accepted in
the name of freedom and the preservation of it. People are sold a
democracy of meritocracy based on a minuscule number of rags to riches
stories. In reality it is a crony-capitalism controlled by an oligarchy
only concerned with self-enrichment.
OPPRESSION THRU LEGISLATION
Laws are an effective tools used to control the overall population;
minimizing the rights and opportunities of many in society; while
maximizing the impunity of others in the overwhelming numerical
minority. Elected public servants speak disingenuous rhetoric provoking
and igniting emotions in the mass public they are sworn to act in the
best interest of. Done while double and triple playing demographics
against one another. Focusing on the differences that distinguish humans
rather than championing the similarities’ that binds.
CHANGE IS A COMIN’ – WAKE ME WHEN IT GETS HERE
Perpetrated under a banner of change; a common place rally cry
shouted at nausea rendering it cliché. Only to be betrayed and sold-out
by officials in the cigar smoked filled air of grandiose board rooms.
Cap toe shoes resting on tables the monetary cost of a modest
neighborhood home default-mortgage. Written off as an expense by some
book cooking legal eagle dressed in a dark navy, two button single
pleated 200’s wool suit. Red, white and blue striped tie accompanied by a
die cast metal American flag pinned to a 2 ½ inch open notch lapel
symbolizing their patriotism and loyalties.
THE HOODS OF POPULOUS EXTREMISM :
Every step of the way promoting populous extremism’s wrapped around core
ethical values. Highlighting integrity and hot stove non-issue issues
then selling Nations dignities and cultural identities through austerity
measures backed financially by some central bank or
International Monetary Fund.
In-debting future generations with out there consent guaranteeing their
obligations will be so great that escaping the chains of ascribed
status is minimal and inconsequential. Corporations granted more human
rights than some of the conquered countries propped up dictators’ offer
their citizens; put in power by taxpayer dollars. Some legal entities
generating revenue streams and assets exceeding some Nations gross
domestic production.
GET YOUR HAND OUT OF MY POCKET!
Politicians should be forced to wear uniforms like
NASCAR drivers; so their corporate sponsors’ are easily identifiable
[vi]. The rights to collectively bargain is
systematically being stripped and outlawed state by state, continent by continent until entire work forces worldwide are subjugated to
At-will employment
[vii];
subservient to their corporate masters. Abortion, Civil unions and
privacy et cetera are smoke screens to camouflage the fires burning from
the destruction caused by smart weapons of war. Issues shocking the
consciences’ of people; occupying their thoughts and energy while
financial brain trusts loot and pillage; pirates masquerading as the
Smartest Guys in the Room
[viii].
Banking bailouts and
Ponzi schemes lead to rescue plans and stimulus packages.
CAPITAL GAINS VS ENTITLEMENTS
Corporate double taxation and capital gains are terms linked to food
stamp administrations and entitlements. The warfare between the
working and investment class is creating divisions among citizens,
building resentment that might result in mass backlash and unrest;
further stifling recovery. When the checks begin bouncing and accounts
are over drawn war will be on the horizon. “The war that is coming is
not the first” (Brecht, 26). It is a vicious cycle of oppression in
which history continues to repeat itself.
“The bombs being dropped on the jungles of Vietnam were exploding in the ghettos and barrios of America”
(Why I oppose the war in Vietnam,
Dr. King). Trillions of taxpayer dollars spent on development and
deployment of intelligent weapons aimed at bringing liberty and justice
for all! “
Got money for war but can’t feed the poor” (Keep Your Head Up, Shakur). As these funds are being allocated families struggle with mortgages, students bogged down by
educational debt
that was free to all before desegregation. In many instances exceeding
the earning potential academic erudition provides. Education is the most
universal resource used in obtaining financial freedom and it is being
slowly but surely taken from those daring to do more.
MILITARY SPENDING WITHOUT LIMITS:
Military budgets are limitless and educational funds are reduced and
threatened annually. Those who lack spiritual currency, succumb to moral
bankruptcy and use all means available to pollute the minds of the
young and old. A generation desensitized and trained by first person
shooter simulations designed to bring
modern warfare into living rooms everywhere in the form of online games of war. Building a new century
centurion army
by educating offspring in weapons use in between pauses to use the
potty and take naps. Passive aggressive military recruitment thru
virtual cultivation via entertainment consoles wrapped and marketed in
this years’ hottest new must have video game. An obvious perpetuating of
destructive policies placated with an advisory stamp. Children becoming
well versed in major historical conflicts and the infinite ways wars
are waged. Compromises made for the latest multi-tasking technological
soon-to-be outdated diversion provides a false sense of social
connection to the whole. Out of sight is out of mind, trapped within the
confines of a surrealist oil painting brush stroked by
Dali representing a modern day interpretation inspired by
Lord of the Flies[ix]. Being technologically advancement does not equate to an enlightened civilized society.
Flames Burn Eternal at Militaristic Tributes near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Governments controls thru warfare. Privatizing natural resources
belonging to the aborigine. Depleting lands and redistributing profits
to shareholders instead of being reinvested improving the opportunities
for residents’. The U.S. military is not a poor man’s force
[x] when unemployment rises the educated enlist. The blood of patriots
[xi]
stain battlefields turned cemeteries’ where agriculture once
flourished; now lined with tombstones engraved with the name Brother,
Husband, Father and Son. Sacrifices taken for granted, sworn never to be
forgotten. A flame burns eternal, flames burn eternal at militaristic
tributes near the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[xii].
Pomp and circumstance, changing of the guard; it’s a great tourist
photography opportunity that can be instantly uploaded to a glorified
over-valued on-line obituary. Shows everywhere traveled, endless times
of opulence; more than enough to make x number of friends envious and
validate self-existence. Tallying popularity by total current followers
times countless friend acceptances forthcoming. New virtual realities
are fast in development. Prototypes are being tested. Pseudo
environments and internet identities pacifying married couples and
conflict born orphans. Barons’ raid the temple; accepted by
presuppositions of helplessness and inability to positively affect the
hive.
WHAT IN GOD’S NAME IS GOING ON? The more things change the more things stay the same!
Until a paradigm shift in consciences occurs’ planet wide the status
quo will continue. There must be consequences for the choices and
decisions those at the top have made that negatively impact
constituents. Social dissonance is necessary in bringing about public
awareness and spotlighting the corruption that poisons the well. Apathy
and appeasement border on behavior reserved for traitors and
anti-humanist. Bills will be passed in the coming decade that will
solidify bureaucratic caste systems handicapping the less sophisticated.
Unalienable rights and pursuit of happiness guarantees are up for
debate; threatening to be reneged and undone by extremists on the left
and right side of the aisle. Obstacles put in place will not be easily
altered thru the casting of a ballot. Denial is a state of ignorance
forgivable until
“Facing it” (Facing It, Komunyakaa).
[vii] http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Employment+at+Will
[viii] Enron :Smartest Guys IN The Room -2005
[xi] The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.-
—Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Letter to William S. Smith (1787)
Another
industry or entity victimized by technology and assured a perpetual
downward spiral is the United States Postal Service. The need for snail
mail is already outdated and hanging on by a thread because mass
marketing junk mailers who won’t let go. As internet access spreads and
broadband connection speeds multiply, the amount of paid postage mail
will evaporate. The USPS generated $66 billion of revenue during 2011[2];
$1.9 billion in salaries and benefits per week. They employ an
equivalent of 19 thousand full time employees all coordinating a massive
postal delivery infrastructure. Total retail revenue and customer
visits have decreased all but one year[3]
over the last 10 years. The U.S. postal service pays United Parcel
Service and Federal Express to deliver in excess of 400 million packages
each year. Outsourcing so large a portion of their business is not the
actions of a market leader. If the USPS was a private company in 2011
they would have ranked 35th. Many if not all these jobs will
be lost with increased e-mail use and never return. Postmasters,
service clerks and security personal are just 3 occupations affected
every time a new Blackberry or I-Phone is purchased. Technologically
advanced mechanisms are displacing labor workers and thinning their rank
and file as well. New century sorting devices and high end scanners are
more efficient and cost effective than their human counterparts.
Self-serve kiosks are replacing clerks and cashiers who once processed
mail and sold postage. Machines do not need healthcare, vacations or
personal days; all costs that drive down profits and will eventually
lead to more job loss. A pandemic poisoning service industries and
reducing labor forces at a more rapid rate than new jobs are being
created. Technological advancement comes with a cost!
