THE AGENDA: AS EXPLAINED TO A VERY ANGRY BLACK MAN

BENEATH THE SPIN*ERIC L. WATTREE

THE AGENDA: AS EXPLAINED TO A VERY ANGRY BLACK MAN

 

WE WEREN'T BORN TO BE STUPID . . .
WE LEARN THAT LATER IN LIFE

Michael,
.
This "shit" I'm posting says absolutely NOTHING about this being a post-racial society. Racism is definitely running rampant in this country - in every direction. But at this point, racism isn't the war; it's merely a tool of war.  The Corporate-GOP Alliance intend to enslave any and everybody who don't have several million dollars tucked away, Black and White. So again, racism is merely one of many tools being used to enslave the people - others are sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, ethno-phobia, politics and religion. These tools are being used to keep the poor and middle class divided so we won't come together to fight back against our most insidious foe, the global corporate feudalists, and we'd be idiots not to fight back. They want to turn this country into the United States of Wall Street.
.
These people WANT you to hate the White man. That helps them. They want poor and middle class White people to hate you. That also helps them. Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and the GOP have made stirring up every form of hatred and bigotry a way of life, because people like yourself are their most valuable assets. If you didn't exist, they'd have to create you, and many of us are so stupid that we're falling into their gigantic bowl of fried ice cream face first. But we've got to have sense enough to see through this scam. It's absolutely essential to our survival.  
.
As much as the United States and the Soviet Union hated and distrusted one another, they came together as allies just long enough to defeat Hitler. That's because they had common sense. The Russians lost 26.6 million people during WWII, and they probably wouldn't have survived as a nation had the two nations failed to set aside their antipathy for one another long enough to form an alliance during the war. And the very same thing is true for the poor and middle class of this country. 
.
A study done by Princeton University declared the United States is no longer a democracy. The study indicated that we are now an oligarchy controlled by the rich, and the economic numbers along with the behavior of the judges and politicians, who are SUPPOSE to be protecting our interests, more than bear that out. The United States Supreme Court's Citizens United decision was a direct assault on the very core of our democracy, and if we don't come together to correct it, it could very possibly turn out to be a lethal assault to what we USED to call our democracy.
.
The top 5% of the population now control 82% of the wealth in this country, while the bottom 80% of the population only "control" 7% of the "wealth." These numbers, along with the Citizens United decision, allows the top 5% of the population to control our political process, and essentially, even our ability to survive. We are now virtual slaves. As I pointed out in a previous article, the only difference between our current condition and literal slavery is that we have to provide our own housing. We now have to rely on the beneficence of the top 5% to even feed ourselves. In 1965, CEOs were paid only 20.1 times more than the average worker. Today they make 231 times the average worker (http://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2012/09/redistribution-wealth-has-gone-upward-not-down-early-80s).
.
So I hate to tell you this, good brother, but mere racism is the very least of our problems - unless they plan to force us to share slave quarters with the Klan - and that could very well happen, because any deluded Klan members who are less than filthy rich will definitely be right there with us - and the Tea Party as well.  That's the only upside to this entire situation, watching the expression on the faces of bigots when they begin to recognize that they're not part of the "chosen few," after all.
.
Another part of the "shit" I advocate is for Black people to start educating themselves. Yes, we're definitely treated badly, but that's because we've allowed ourselves to become victims, and victims are ALWAYS treated badly. So if we are going to improve our condition, we have to stop being victims, and the only way to do that is through education and knowledge. The concept that knowledge is power is not just an urban legend. As I continue to repeat, we can't out-scream the White establishment, because they control the media, and we can't out-fight them, because they control the military, but we can change our behavior and teach ourselves to out-think them. But in order to do that, we must make knowledge the new "soul." While they're busy dumming down the rest of society, we should be just as busy educating ourselves. That will allow us to level the playing field.
.
So that is my solution - beginning to think instead of emoting; educating ourselves, and others, to the true dimensions of our current economic plight; and then coming together as a class to fight back. Because at this point, the power of our numbers is our only weapon, and our only defense, but if we don't act soon, that won't even help.
.
Now, what is your solution, good brother, just sitting around stewing in hatred and anger until the man returns you to slavery, or starve you to death?



Divide And Conquer

 



The Great Depression

And finally, let me make myself clear, brother. I'm not one of those altruistic do-gooders, running around preachin' "all we need is love." Frankly, I don't care who you hate. I'm simply being perfectly, and selfishly, practical here. I just don't want your blind hatred to sabotage MY chances of survival. When you listen to Scott Walker below, notice that he's not saying A THING about race. He's talking about EVERYBODY - that includes me, and that's my concern. And many White folks feel the same way that I do, because they know it also includes them. But our problem is we've got to get through to the rest of you hardcore haters, because your blind hatred and ignorance of history threaten to bring us all down - and note that when I say "our" I'm referring to people who THINK like me, not people who simply LOOK like me; Clarence Thomas LOOKS like me and I feel no connection with him at all.  I feel exactly the same way about blind haters of every stripe. You people tend to be more in love with your hatred than you are with your freedom, and your way of life. Thus, I'm not trying to get you to love White folks; I'm simply ASKING you not to be so stupid that you sabotage the rest of our efforts to survive.
.
The United States is currently in the exact same state of flux as Germany was in the 1930s just before the rise of the Nazi Party. So you'd better wake up, brother, and start thinking past some of that anger and emotion. Because, unless you're a very strong swimmer, your very ass (and the asses of your children) is on the line.

Eric L. Wattree
http://wattree.blogspot.com/
Ewattree@Gmail.com
Citizens Against Reckless Middle-Class Abuse (CARMA)
.
Religious bigotry: It's not that I hate everyone who doesn't look, think, and act like me - it's just that God does.

Sphere: Related Content

What Most Americans Don’t Know About President Obama

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

What Most Americans Don’t Know About President Obama

He’s Not a Liberal - He’s a Progressive

I’m not a liberal. I’m a progressive, and the same is true of President Obama. The reason I make a distinction between the two is because liberals and conservatives tend to be ideologues, so they're merely different sides of the same coin. Ideologues give ideology priority over truth, so when they find truth to be in conflict with their ideology, they try to contort the truth into a configuration that fits more comfortably into their preconceived view of reality. Thus, ideologues are not thinkers; they’re feelers, and as a result, more often than not, they're also bitterly reactionary.
.
On the other hand, while progressives tend to hold a liberal perspective, progressives are not ideologues. Progressives give truth priority over ideology, and they believe in following truth wherever it leads and regardless to whose ox it gores. Thereafter, on those occasions when they find that truth is in conflict with their preconceived beliefs, they modify their beliefs, not truth, because by definition, truth is in the best interest of humanity, regardless to what it reveals. Progressives understand that truth, much like physical pain, tells us what issues need to be addressed and modified.
.
That’s why President Obama is the best possible person to have heading our government during these perilous times. He’s a thinker, and not prone to strike out recklessly in response to his emotions. He’s also willing to do the right thing, and when what’s right is not the most popular thing to do, he’s willing to take the hit.
.
President Obama understands that the appropriate attitude for a progressive to bring to every discussion is a firmness of thought, and an open mind to divergent ideas. Because a progressive, by definition, should have the intellectual capacity to recognize that one can neither scream, nor insult, one's way to a solution to any problem. Thus, what should always set a progressive apart from all others is an affinity for humanity, an independence of thought, and a fierce determination to remain a seeker of truth above all else, regardless to where that truth may lead.
.
But ironically, those are the very values for which Obama is most severely criticized. The reason for that is, those values no longer seem to be held among many who define themselves as progressives today. Many contemporary 'progressives' tend to possess the very same rigidity of thought, and mean-spirited, knee-jerk adherence to ideology that the progressive movement was created to combat. So the response that many of these people bring to even the slightest divergence from their rigid ideological beliefs can only be described as one of radical reactionism.
.
That concerns me greatly, because while conservatives and today's so-called progressives remain completely divergent in their views toward governance, in terms of intellectual disposition they've become different sides of the same coin. I've often heard it stated that the regimented intolerance of reactionary conservatism is reminiscent of Nazi Germany. That may, or may not be true (I tend to believe it is, and it’s becoming more so with every day that passes). But if it is, it must also be acknowledged that the intolerant regimentation of many contemporary radical 'progressives' represent the USSR at best.
.
Many modern progressives have allowed themselves to become infected with the exact same kind of intellectual rigidity that we previously associated with the radical conservative mindset. In fact, many who define themselves as progressives today could very accurately be called latter-day conservatives. While they have a slightly updated set of values, their rigidity and rabid defense of those values will surely morph into the completely closed-minded conservatism of tomorrow.
. 
A perfect example of the above can be found in the fact that I used to routinely write for the Daily KOS, that is, until I wrote an article that asked the simple question, "What is the Difference Between Zionism and Racism?" That was about four years ago, and I’ve been banned from writing for the site every since that time. Then when I contacted them (twice) for an explanation, all I heard in return were crickets.
.
That is exactly the response that I would expect to get from a radical conservative website, and it is exactly contrary to what I expected to be confronted with from a site that professes to be progressive. A site that labels itself progressive is expected to be dedicated to seeking truth, whatever that truth is, and not be so protective of its point of view that it becomes just another ideological echo chamber. If you're philosophy on any issue is valid, it should be able to stand up to scrutiny. But if it can't stand up to truth, then a change is warranted.
.
That's the primary reason that the conservatives' reckless campaign of rampant disinformation is winning the battle over reasoned and logical thought. So many contemporary progressives have taken on the conservative mind-set of anger before contemplation, and reaction over reason, that there's no one left who's actually thinking. Everyone is simply reacting through anger, ignorance, and disinformation. That's an environment in which the Republican Party thrives, since as any thinking person would recognize, radical conservatism is reactionary by definition. So as Mark Twain said, they drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience.
.
Progressives cannot out-scream the Republican Party, and we shouldn't try. The disinformation that's currently being disseminated by the GOP must be met with facts, a well thought-out plan of action, integrity, and character. Progressives must not only be prepared to demonstrate that the conservative philosophy of hanging on to flawed values of the past prevents society from moving forward, but that character, and integrity counts.
.
The American people are not stupid. They desperately want these qualities in their governance, but the current progressive movement is not giving them a viable alternative. Regardless to what our intent, in many cases, we're acting with just as much thoughtless anger, reckless abandon, and self-service as the Republican Party - well, in the interest of truth, not that bad, but we're getting there.
.
But the problem is, we have not coalesced into a solid front with a clear and viable agenda. We've divided ourselves into so many factions with so many different agendas that the people no longer know what we represent. And the reason for that is, too many of us really don't know what it means to be progressives ourselves. Instead of bringing a clear and definable philosophy of common sense to EVERY issue, and regarding EVERY constituency, we’ve degenerated into a ragtag group of special interests who, in many cases, are fighting against one another. Even as many of us are demanding racial justice, some of those very same people are perfectly content to support a bigoted philosophy toward women, gays, undocumented workers, and other minorities.
.
Many of us, for example, have chosen to remain blind to the fact that much of this land was STOLEN from "undocumented workers," so they are NOT the ones who are "illegal," WE are. But all of a sudden, on this particular issue, many who claim to be liberal, or progressive, want to stand with the bigots. And the same is true of so-called Christians, who consistently preach that God created all things, and is the Lord and master of the universe and beyond. Yet, they've decided that their almighty God has made a mistake when it comes to gays, because THEY don't like their lifestyle. Well, truth doesn't work that way. Truth demands consistency, so how can we profess to be warriors against bigotry and hypocrisy, when we ourselves are bigots and hypocrites?
.
Thus, how can so-called liberals and neo-progressives expect those Americans who are undecided to distinguish between our character, and the character of Rush Limbaugh? The fact is, they can’t. What they see is two teams both cheering for their side, with very few distinctions in terms of character between the two. Try telling a radical feminist that the nation would benefit from having more women remain in the home. You’d have to wear a flack jacket just to broach the subject. It would be the equivalent trying to advocate an Equal Rights Amendment at the Republican National Convention. But these are issues that desperately need to be discussed, and no knee-jerk assumptions should be made about one's attitude toward women by simply broaching the subject (http://wattree.blogspot.com/2013/06/motherhood-most-valuable-profession-in.html).
.
So, too many of us fail to understand that the primary goal of the progressive movement was to create a viable democracy that serve, respect, and honor ALL of the people. But due to the destruction of our educational system, the corrupting influence of Republican governance over the past thirty years, and an irresponsible media, our ideals and what we represent as a people is only a rumor up for debate for an entire generation of Americans. Who would have thought a generation ago that the relative merits torture would even become a debatable issue in America? So we're sliding down a very slippery slope.
.
Thus, many young people of the left who consider themselves progressives don’t really know what being a progressive actually entails. They know that their political orientation is liberal, but what they don't know is, there's a vast difference between being simply liberal, and being a progressive. So again, many of these young people approach our democracy like it's a sporting event with no rules of sportsmanship. It's just our team against their team - period.
.
What they fail to realize is that the progressive movement is much more than just a synonym for left-wing liberalism. Progressives have always served as America's philosophers, intellectuals, and the nation's conscience. Thus, true progressives don't see conservatives as the enemy. They understand that both liberals, and conservatives, play an important role in our society - at least, responsible liberals and conservatives. Progressives recognize that both philosophies are necessary in order to maintain a balanced America. And we clearly understand that while there's a burning need for a Martin Luther King to remind America of its humanity, there is also a need for a Gen. MacArthur to ensure our security.
.
Thus, the progressive movement is not so much a political ideology as it is a philosophical attitude towards human behavior. A true progressive, as oppose to an ideologue of any stripe, will always give truth, logical thought, and the interest of humanity priority over ideology. And regardless to how much he or she may admire any politician, he will always hold that politician accountable for truth, justice, and his fidelity to mankind.

Eric L. Wattree
Http://wattree.blogspot.com
Ewattree@Gmail.com
Citizens Against Reckless Middle-Class Abuse (CARMA)
.
Religious bigotry: It's not that I hate everyone who doesn't look, think, and act like me - it's just that God does.

Sphere: Related Content