Marching Backwards

Previously mentioned in this column [Bay Currents 2/10] was an upcoming Supreme Court decision [Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, 2010] that would allow corporate interests unlimited spending on political campaigns. Rendering invalid laws passed through the years to reform campaign spending, the nightmare has now become reality. The Supreme Court, not too long ago defender of individual rights and freedoms, has, with this ruling, sent democracy hurdling back to the days of the robber barons of the 19^th century. With a campaign financing system that already equates with legalized bribery what does this mean to the future of our democracy? Every writer with a conscience has put pen to paper or, more likely, fingers to keyboard, to rail against the travesty.

Struggle toward the goal

Throughout the history of the United States it’s been an ongoing struggle to raise the reality to the ideals expressed by the founding fathers in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It’s “We the people…”, not “We the financial interests…” or  “We the white people…”. Yet, the institution of slavery was written into the document, primarily because financial interests of the time dictated. Thus, the table was set for the long hard fight to eliminate the hypocrisy and reach for the ideals. It wasn’t until after the Civil War, almost a century after independence that slavery was abolished and another century before the institutionalized racism that deprived people of color their rights as citizens eradicated.

As the Industrial Revolution took root and millions of immigrants poured in to fill the ever expanding job market, their harsh exploitation by the new industrialists was another blight; again with government support. Despite the ideals celebrated every national holiday, hypocrisy reigned as voices of the common people were kept silent. But there were those who would not sit back and accept the injustices. Abolitionists spoke up against slavery from the beginning. In the late 19th century civil rights and labor organizations took root and for about a century there was progress; slowly at first; more rapidly as the 20th century advanced.

The leap forward

The greatest leap forward was the advent of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression. Mired in the worst economic morass in history, after a three year downward spiral and 25% unemployment, the nation was ready for sweeping change. With government awareness of its obligation to the public, social progress now became the norm. People were provided protections and entitlements. Labor was recognized and afforded the right to collective bargaining and, after World War II, the civil rights movement gained steam. By the mid ’60’s, the federal government had barred racial discrimination and established means of enforcement and women were on their way to equal rights as well.

Next on the agenda, the war on poverty. But it was never to be. The debacle in Southeast Asia and election of Richard Nixon in 1968 began the march backwards, accelerating rapidly under Ronald Reagan and culminating with the virtually complete sellout of the people to corporate interests under George W. Bush. And now, the Supreme Court, the majority of whom are pro-business Republican nominees, have dealt a possibly fatal blow to our democracy.

Democracy is Dependent on an Educated Electorate

The problem is not however, only with our government. One of the issues in the forefront of the tumultuous ’60’s was the lack of an educated electorate. Most citizens, preoccupied with everyday lives, are not truly understanding of issues and influences affecting our government, nor do they have a comprehension of the hardships of the past and struggles to overcome. Right wing politicians have promoted fundamentalist religious beliefs, tying them to issues that provide for fewer restraints on the financial and corporate interests. Repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, which had provided for equal time for opposing opinions in media, saw right wing talk radio flourish, misleading the public with falsehoods presented as legitimate opinions. Corporate takeover of formerly independent media companies has also had an influence on the news we receive…or don’t.

History illustrates that social progress is a government concern. Civil rights could not have been achieved if the federal government hadn’t become involved. In fact, if the New Deal had not passed vital legislation, the nation, on the verge of chaos, might have turned in a totally different direction. Today however, the United States, the wealthiest nation on the planet, is sinking lower and lower relative to other industrialized nations in quality of life for its citizens; now at or near the bottom.

Truth denied; progress stifled

Corporate propaganda has become more and more sophisticated as countless millions are spent to convince us that national health care and regulation of banks and other corporate interests are bad for the nation. Manipulated by sophisticated marketing, people are misinformed and confused; too often supporting causes and casting votes against their own interests. They don’t get the fact that it’s diminishing the quality of their own lives and selling out their children’s future.

It is an extremely sad state of affairs that even the Massachusetts Senate seat of Ted Kennedy, last of the true New Dealers, was won by a business Republican and Air America, the radio network airing a voice of reason, is out of business.

So, when is the American public going to get it? How much do we have to lose before we, as a society, get fed up enough to act? Will it be too late?

Bay Currents 2/10