If the people were to be relied upon wouldn't they have abolished the Senate by now? Since they haven't then how exactly can this be accomplished peacefully? The vast majority are not very well informed because they don't have time nor resources to do so not to mention the inclination. We could pour a billion into a constitutional amendment effort and you will have plenty of idiots especially in the less populated states who will vote against it. Democracy is episodic. It comes about when the elite becomes too tyrannical and then there is critical mass to move against it. The Russian Revolution is a good example. Too many people with nothing left to lose. That's the Cannon Fodder of revolutions. Unfortunately we have too many jobs in the US. Not enough poverty.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Edwin. I feel like the propaganda messages about our government start early. I'm talking kindergarten or first grade. People are conditioned to feel like the status quo is the most normal thing in the world, and that includes having a senate that perserves minority rule at our expense. The majority are intentionally misinformed. I think it's time for a new constitution that is less mistrustful of democracy and the public. As I mentioned in my post on the symptoms of revolution, the desperation you're referencing is not necessarily needed. Attitudes are shifting. The younger generations are being radicalized by real life every day. Change could be here sooner than anyone imagines.
There is a purely philosophical case to be made for the existence of a distinct upper chamber. But the radical disproportion between states in terms of demography and the corresponding distortion of representation that provokes means that such an upper body should be limited to essentially a consulting role rather than a legislative one. Given that will never happen, yes, better to abolish it. But is the US capable of rewriting its constitution?
Hi Peter! I am always so happy to see your name in the comments. I hear you - a consulting role would be much more acceptable. I realize that a new American constitution sounds like a massive hill to climb, even though European states update theirs from time to time. The problem of course is the lopsided power concentration that the wealthy have managed to amass here. Anxiety about such a task when wealth is much more organized and has clearer goals is understandable. It is my feeling, however, that wealth's hold on the mass consciousness is slipping. A real opportunity to change the power imbalance may be here faster than we can imagine.
Hi Scott, followed you from TT this morning. Looking forward to your usual clarity and wit as we tread along the yellow brick road of digital dialectics in this crazy, crazy world! Maybe some day we can make ‘em pay!!
This reminds me of Zinn's People's History - it puts an end to the myths of the USA. Actions speak louder than words, and when you look at the actions of USA government, and its leaders, it's an oligarchy with better marketing. But the marketing has crumbled lately. Thanks to truth tellers like you. Nice work!
It’s hard to fathom how many critical details are omitted from US History taught in public schools.
I think it's quite intentional!
If the people were to be relied upon wouldn't they have abolished the Senate by now? Since they haven't then how exactly can this be accomplished peacefully? The vast majority are not very well informed because they don't have time nor resources to do so not to mention the inclination. We could pour a billion into a constitutional amendment effort and you will have plenty of idiots especially in the less populated states who will vote against it. Democracy is episodic. It comes about when the elite becomes too tyrannical and then there is critical mass to move against it. The Russian Revolution is a good example. Too many people with nothing left to lose. That's the Cannon Fodder of revolutions. Unfortunately we have too many jobs in the US. Not enough poverty.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Edwin. I feel like the propaganda messages about our government start early. I'm talking kindergarten or first grade. People are conditioned to feel like the status quo is the most normal thing in the world, and that includes having a senate that perserves minority rule at our expense. The majority are intentionally misinformed. I think it's time for a new constitution that is less mistrustful of democracy and the public. As I mentioned in my post on the symptoms of revolution, the desperation you're referencing is not necessarily needed. Attitudes are shifting. The younger generations are being radicalized by real life every day. Change could be here sooner than anyone imagines.
There is a purely philosophical case to be made for the existence of a distinct upper chamber. But the radical disproportion between states in terms of demography and the corresponding distortion of representation that provokes means that such an upper body should be limited to essentially a consulting role rather than a legislative one. Given that will never happen, yes, better to abolish it. But is the US capable of rewriting its constitution?
Hi Peter! I am always so happy to see your name in the comments. I hear you - a consulting role would be much more acceptable. I realize that a new American constitution sounds like a massive hill to climb, even though European states update theirs from time to time. The problem of course is the lopsided power concentration that the wealthy have managed to amass here. Anxiety about such a task when wealth is much more organized and has clearer goals is understandable. It is my feeling, however, that wealth's hold on the mass consciousness is slipping. A real opportunity to change the power imbalance may be here faster than we can imagine.
Hi! I've followed you from TikTok. They can stop that.
Hey XFiles, nice to see a familiar face. Thank you for following me over.
Hi Scott, followed you from TT this morning. Looking forward to your usual clarity and wit as we tread along the yellow brick road of digital dialectics in this crazy, crazy world! Maybe some day we can make ‘em pay!!
This reminds me of Zinn's People's History - it puts an end to the myths of the USA. Actions speak louder than words, and when you look at the actions of USA government, and its leaders, it's an oligarchy with better marketing. But the marketing has crumbled lately. Thanks to truth tellers like you. Nice work!