Thesis: The New Deal. Antithesis: Bush and Neo-Conservatism. [View All]

[JanMichael]

On EDIT: By "Thesis" I mean the idea of a civilized modern society. With all the bangs and whistles like Pensions, Minimum Wage, Overtime, etcetera. Basically working toward (Not quite reaching I might add) a "Good" society. One that's equitable and really works for everyone, including the eradication of systemic Racism, not just the few (Or even MANY but ALLLLLLL). The "Antithesis" is the contradiction to the Thesis. The idea that that workers really don't have any rights, That pensions are bull and they should be made vulnerable to volitile markets, that healthcare should only be for those that can pony up the cash, that the super wealthy should essentially rule us all, Economic Darwinism: Every MAN for himself (However the fake "markets" in the US are fixed on several pivital points at that, ie. not really "free") etcetera.

What is the Synthesis?

What will be the result of this struggle?

What will be the ultimate outcome?

My opinion? Cooperation will have to trump Competition. The society that respects Labor, respects the People, will/should emerge from the collapse.

The idea of the Welfare State/Social Democracy is under severe attack. Not just here but also against those nations that have tried, against the assault of Global Capitalism, to give a decent standard of living to ALL of their inhabitants. That would be some EU countries including countries like Finland who try their damnedest to make work and life meaningful.

They try, we try, to maintain the idea of a safe retirement, some make the idea of healthcare a Right, we all try to make a days work give a days pay, to make life tolerable for all.

America is the anchor that ties the noose around other developed, and developing, nations when it comes to "Free markets" and the "Free Flow" of capital. We use, create, the WTO, FTAA, World Bank, to disassemble state healthcare and pensions in other nations. To dismantle wage agreements. We even try to privatise water. What's next, air?

This entire system is under massive stress due to its built in deficiencies. The "Armegedon" comments made by high powered economists are not fantasy. Krugman is not insane.

It may take a few years but the end of "Civilized" America are numbered. The era of us sucking the lifeblood from defensless peoples so we can drive bigger and dumber vehicles are numbered. The concept of Super Banana Republic may already be here, most of us (I know that many here have already, what's your solution?) have probably not felt the ripples however.

We're a technologically advanced nation, the biggest actually, so in my humble opinion it's up to us to make, not hope, but make a solution to this fucked up "free" market mess.

So what is the synthesis?

To turn a blind eye and wait for a collapse? Or to take what we know and use it together?

EDIT: Yes. I have invoked Hegel here, sorry:-)