Monday, September 20, 2010
Reins of Power
A thoughtful read of American history by authors like Howard Zinn should be enough to remove illusions about any substantive remnants of a progressive movement. Yet, perhaps due to lack of political experience, this fantasy persists.
This is not to say that there have been no results from research, education, organizing and action over the last century, but the gains garnered have been largely eroded by collusion between the landed aristocracy and the corporate hierarchy now holding the reins of power.
As Zinn and others have shown, authentic progressive leaders were jailed, blacklisted, and murdered. Those allowed to conduct moral theatrics today, especially those on philanthropic payrolls, are the ones deemed no threat to our rulers.
This is not to say that there have been no results from research, education, organizing and action over the last century, but the gains garnered have been largely eroded by collusion between the landed aristocracy and the corporate hierarchy now holding the reins of power.
As Zinn and others have shown, authentic progressive leaders were jailed, blacklisted, and murdered. Those allowed to conduct moral theatrics today, especially those on philanthropic payrolls, are the ones deemed no threat to our rulers.
