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CounterPunch
December
30, 2002
A "9-to-5er's" New
Year's Revolution
by PHILIP FARRUGGIO
OK here's the deal: I don't care if you earn $12k
or $512k a year, if you work for your bread, then you're part
of the "Silent Majority". Why silent? Well, take a
seat and ponder the state of our America. The President, Congress
and mainstream media have been waving the flag, urging Americans
to support "Oh What A Lovely War". The human cost will
be tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians/soldiers buried in the
sand along with our "low income" volunteer Army. The
cost to taxpayers will be between $100-$200 billion, most of
it going to the "War Industries", translated into less
spending for real "economic homeland security". The
"salt in the wounds" variable is the possible future
extremist terrorism such a war could initiate- perhaps on Main
Street America. Methinks any "non defensive' attack on another
sovereign nation will incubate tens of thousands of fanatical
suicide bombers.
You 9 to 5er out there who must decide
between clothes for your kids or health insurance; who thinks
a "night out' is going to the new Wal-Mart. You 9 to 5er
who needs that extra part time job to make the car and mortgage
payments, or rental increase. Ya think maybe its time to "get
serious'? Ya think maybe its time to really participate in this
supposedly wonderful 2 party system? Ok, here's the dilemma;
here's the reality. Never in the history of this republic has
a third party made it. I wish the American experience was such
that third parties could succeed. They can't. Why? Cause the
"deck has been stacked", the "race has been fixed".
It seems the rich guys, the really rich guys who run this country,
who own most of the media and the politics, they won't allow
it. Too dangerous and so unnecessary. Why have 3 or 5 or 7 parties
out there, running around spouting all kinds of issues, when
you can have 2 structured and "semi adversarial" parties
who always, in the long run, agree with the rich guys?
Know what? I got the "monkey wrench"
right here at my fingertips. Guess what? We, the real "Silent
Majority", we earn about 15% of the total wealth in America,
and we encompass about 99% of the population (did you get that?).
We have the key right here in our hands. Trouble is, we're divided,
we're polarized. The rich guys, through the media and the politicians,
they have bamboozled us, conned us into thinking that the most
important issues Americans face are: abortion rights, gay rights,
affirmative action, school prayer, confederate flags, pledge
of allegiance, school vouchers, black reparations...
When are you all gonna get it that the
only real core issues are about MONEY? The only thing that will
turn this economy around, and allow us to finally deal with the
aforementioned problems, is the MONEY issue. Third World nations
have economic disparities (like ours), not truly democratic ones.
There always has to be a first step.
For we the 99%, step one is "realization". Its time
to acknowledge that ALL working Americans are in the same (sinking)
boat. We must embrace each other, regardless of earning $12k
or $512k a year (a drop in the bucket compared to what the 1%
earn). The solution is in the "so called" Democratic
Party. If we can get involved, locally, with that party, and
DEMAND certain positions be taken, then there is hope- a longshot,
but hope. The Republicans, sad to say, are totally beyond redemption
- they haven't "gotten it" for generations.
Form "9 to 5 Democratic Clubs"
and meet regularly. Push aside all the petty differences on those
"hot button" media generated issues, and focus on the
following:
Clean Election Laws Now- lets get money
out of politics to assure we 99% a chance to succeed politically.
As long as money factors into the process, the rich guys will
use it to maintain the status quo. Example: In the progressive
minded state of Oregon, the drive for "universal healthcare"
reached a ballot initiative. Well, the insurance lobby outspent
the advocates by over 20 to 1 and the public were conned into
believing "half truths' and innuendoes, thus defeating an
innovative and bold concept.
Lower Tax Rates for the 99%- imagine
how ludicrous, in these times, to have a top tax bracket capping
at $140k a year in income. We should be demanding that the top
bracket cap at One Million, and any income over that be taxed
at Double the current top rate (38%). For all the rest of us
earning less than one million a year, lets cut the current rates
by ONE HALF. Think of all the income our treasury will obtain
from those super rich, and think of all the extra money 99% of
us will still have in our pockets. Then, and only then, consumer
spending, what the "mainstream" economists track so
intently, will really take off. Think of all the new homes that
current renters will be able to afford. Think of all the new
cars to be purchased, new clothes, televisions, computers, appliances-
influencing a chain reaction of increased employment in sectors.
Higher tariffs on any product not manufactured
within U.S. territorial boundaries. Take that Nike and all the
rest of you corporate sharks.
Tax Corporations at 1960's rates- perhaps
then the stockholders will cease allowing the obscene amounts
of wealth that CEOs and top management earn. Plus, the U.S. would
have actual surpluses to justify tax cuts for all individuals,
even the super rich!
One Year Moratorium on Foreign Aid- lets
stop all foreign aid, excepting emergency aid (food and medicine)
for one year. The hundreds of billions kept here at home would
be used to rebuild America's roads, schools, mass transit and
housing. It would help jump-start Universal Medicare for all
Americans and lower pharmaceutical costs. Plus, it would send
a signal to the world that America is not the "cash cow"
anymore.
Cease and Desist any Preemptive Military
Action Anywhere! There should be an outcry against this war with
Iraq, or one with North Korea. We now know that such wars will
cost us HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars, ruining any
chance this nation has to experience true economic recovery.
As mentioned in the opening to this commentary, the loss of lives
and future lives (through increased terrorism) is highly immoral
and just plain foolish. Let's finally have the courage to cut
the military spending, cut the armaments sales, and stop maintaining
bases throughout the world. Not only is their cost astounding,
but with 21st century space age technology, most of those bases
are unnecessary. All they do is "piss off" the natives
of those countries. Hey, you there in Iowa City, would you like
a Kenyan air force base in your town?
As it is, in America less than 50% of
eligible voters participate. You don't have to be a rocket scientist
to know why. The time has come for all working folk, we "9
to 5ers", to extend ourselves a bit and get active. Let's
form those clubs and discussion groups. Let's make our voices
heard. Why shouldn't we- after all, we are the MAJORITY, let's
act like one!
Philip A Farruggio is a baby boomer Brooklyn NY born bred and educated
(Brooklyn College '74), Currently, he resides in Florida and
is self employed as a mfg. rep for an environmental bacteria
company. He can be reached at brooklynphilly@aol.com
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