"Kakki" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >We do have the sense >that we ARE the government. Most Americans still feel they have power >to change their government'd direction anytime they decide to do so. We do >not yet have to bow to some group of elites who tell us what to do.
Kakki, let me start up front with a preemptive apology for what will probably offend you; personal attack is not my intent, I genuinely like you a lot (from what I know of here on the list and a few private e-mails), and I really don't want to start a big whoop. I guess I could exercise some restraint and just not respond when I read something like your quote above even though it really pushes my button; I feel like some crow who saw something shiny and feels compelled to swoop down to get it (does this qualify as Joni content?). However, most Americans do *not* feel this way; most Americans fell helpless to change their government's direction. Yes, we do theoretically have the power, which is nice, but in real world practice it's not that simple, in fact, it's moot. Very powerful financial/political/military concerns and interests (yes, "elite" ... Eisenhower's astute admonition against "the military-industrial complex" is a reality) control the government's direction, and to believe otherwise would be almost charmingly idealistic if it weren't so dangerously naive. -Fred
