James Stewart: Just get up off the ground, that's all I ask. Get up there with that lady that's up on top of this Capitol dome, that lady that stands for liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won't just see scenery; you'll see the whole parade of what Man's carved out for himself, after centuries of fighting. Fighting for something better than just jungle law, fighting so's he can stand on his own two feet, free and decent, like he was created, no matter what his race, color, or creed. That's what you'd see. There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And, uh, if that's what the grownups have done with this world that was given to them, then we'd better get those boys' camps started fast and see what the kids can do. And it's not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!
Me: Damn straight!
Though I'm something of an idealist and hopeless optimist, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is my favorite movie of all time, simply because of the compelling and inspiring portrayal of the American legislative system. The movie chronicles an everyman who--through dramatically unrealistic means--becomes appointed to the Senate where he seeks to end the corruption of a political machine he uncovers. Frank Capra shows us that although the system may be somewhat corrupt, there is hope for the common man.
What does this have to do with anything... Well, this introduces my opinion on the matter; that yes, there are strikingly powerful people in this country, with more money and influence than any of us dare to imagine, yet I don't believe that there is any elusive "power elite" who chuckle and chortle as they conspire to undermine the common man. No, no, my friends... While there are varying levels of income and political clout to various politicians, officials, CEOs, corporations, etc, they are not controlling the political system as we know it. Some of these entities are good, others are bad. Some are right, some are Republican. Ultimately, however, they are competing against each other, not conspiring against us, trying to impose their respective political ideologies on the other and the American public. This serves as a system of checks and balances against each other. Sure, it sucks that sometimes we lesser folks can get caught up in the ebb and flow of all of this, but that is just the way of the world. If there was a "power elite" of bureaucratic superstars would their intentions not be outed by people of similar stature but differing opinion? Would these elite go through so much effort to maintain the facade of democracy simply to sate the masses? Do you, like I, prematurely skip to the next paragraph when bored by a string of rhetorical questions?
There will always be Walmarts and the like, but before you condemn these evil corporations as enemies of the people, stop and evaluate a few things. First, note what Chris (not me, Chris Duke... I'm not so arrogant as to speak of myself in third person... except in the title of this posting) was saying in class today. Though Sam Walton probably doesn't give two flips for the old man greeting people at his doors, or the high school drop-out smoking dope in the break room, he is a brilliant man. He turned his Five and Dime in the boonies of Arkansas into one of the most successful corporations in history. Also, nota bene, yes Walmart promotes poor labor standards and has a deplorable field record in terms of product quality; however, millions of low-income Americans can purchase food, clothing, home wares, and other essentials on their budget thanks to this retailer.
I like to believe that our government is not composed of the elite hypothesized by Chomsky, and I'd also like to see Foucault hit him over the head with a copy of Histoire de la Sexualité. But I suppose there's no way of knowing for sure, yet if I'm wrong... England, ho! Free medical care and fish & chips!
Me: Damn straight!
Though I'm something of an idealist and hopeless optimist, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is my favorite movie of all time, simply because of the compelling and inspiring portrayal of the American legislative system. The movie chronicles an everyman who--through dramatically unrealistic means--becomes appointed to the Senate where he seeks to end the corruption of a political machine he uncovers. Frank Capra shows us that although the system may be somewhat corrupt, there is hope for the common man.
What does this have to do with anything... Well, this introduces my opinion on the matter; that yes, there are strikingly powerful people in this country, with more money and influence than any of us dare to imagine, yet I don't believe that there is any elusive "power elite" who chuckle and chortle as they conspire to undermine the common man. No, no, my friends... While there are varying levels of income and political clout to various politicians, officials, CEOs, corporations, etc, they are not controlling the political system as we know it. Some of these entities are good, others are bad. Some are right, some are Republican. Ultimately, however, they are competing against each other, not conspiring against us, trying to impose their respective political ideologies on the other and the American public. This serves as a system of checks and balances against each other. Sure, it sucks that sometimes we lesser folks can get caught up in the ebb and flow of all of this, but that is just the way of the world. If there was a "power elite" of bureaucratic superstars would their intentions not be outed by people of similar stature but differing opinion? Would these elite go through so much effort to maintain the facade of democracy simply to sate the masses? Do you, like I, prematurely skip to the next paragraph when bored by a string of rhetorical questions?
There will always be Walmarts and the like, but before you condemn these evil corporations as enemies of the people, stop and evaluate a few things. First, note what Chris (not me, Chris Duke... I'm not so arrogant as to speak of myself in third person... except in the title of this posting) was saying in class today. Though Sam Walton probably doesn't give two flips for the old man greeting people at his doors, or the high school drop-out smoking dope in the break room, he is a brilliant man. He turned his Five and Dime in the boonies of Arkansas into one of the most successful corporations in history. Also, nota bene, yes Walmart promotes poor labor standards and has a deplorable field record in terms of product quality; however, millions of low-income Americans can purchase food, clothing, home wares, and other essentials on their budget thanks to this retailer.
I like to believe that our government is not composed of the elite hypothesized by Chomsky, and I'd also like to see Foucault hit him over the head with a copy of Histoire de la Sexualité. But I suppose there's no way of knowing for sure, yet if I'm wrong... England, ho! Free medical care and fish & chips!
