Those not otherwise inclined to follow Egyptian history and conflict were quite surprised at the turn of events broadcast world wide. A nation on fire by all accounts is prompting the attention and passions of millions around the world. On the heels of the Tunesian overthrow of its oppressive government Egyptians poured into the streets, a parade of rich, poor, religious and non religious, Christians and Muslims in defiance of its government. For those not up on Egyptian politics, in short millions of people are incensed over the flagrant riches of the elite and government officials when more than 50% of its people live below the poverty line. In terms of dollars, that's $2 per day. Amidst a culture of proud ancestry, gods, enormous wealth and opulence and some of the most revered historical sites and artifacts in the world lies corruption, deceit oppression and outright tyranny. A brief look at any culture rich in any resource, whether it is water, labor, minerals, gold, religion etc. will outline the eventual rule of an elite class and the subsequent oppression of its populace. History provides ample evidence that greed and corruption rise with any hoarding or control of wealth and power and Egypt, since its early Dynastic Period is no different. The name, religion and ethnic background of the ruler may change but the face of absolute power never does. The world runs on capitalism which depends on a ruling elite to control subject and eventually oppress its masses to continue their control and power. Whether in Nicaragua, Angola, America or Tunesia "the people" are only responding to their awakening of the puppet masters stepping on their necks. Poverty and its effects in 2011 anywhere is a disgrace to mankind and the abundance of wealth and power controlled by the very few will continue to ensure that human rights remain second to human profits. Don't agree? Where are our leaders who stand against this? Where are those within governments and those with true power finally separating from their propaganda, rhetoric and empty promises? Well lets look at America and Israels official responses.
Israel is very afraid (as it very well should be), for Egypt stands as its closest Arab ally within the middle east poised to wipe Israel off the map. Any sort of government overthrow or dissidence weakens its ability to protect its much hated neighbor. Now, historically the Jewish people should be intimate with oppression, subjucation and inequality. Many governments, leaders and powers have toyed with the fate of the race as it suited their purposes. If any people should understand the necessity in uprising and overthrowing tyranny and oppression you would assume it would be those of the Jewish faith. As reported by Karl Vick in his article Israel has Faith Mubarak will prevail, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states "We believe that Egypt is going to overcome the current wave of demonstrations, but we have to look to the future...Having said that, I'm not sure the time is right for the Arab region to go through the democratic process." Really? So what exactly leads to the democratic process? Is President Mubarak going to have a change of heart and come out and say "I give up people, the country, the gold, the palaces, pyramids, their all yours." That would be the equivalent of Southern slave masters saying "You're all free now, take some cotton with you!"
And Obama nicely applied a band-aid to a gun shot wound when he stated ""All governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion," on a phone conversation to President Mubarak. Thanks for that. Can you call him back and tell him to turn the internet and phone service on to his constituents? This is ridiculous. Any government that exercises absolute power will corrupt absolutely. (shout out to MF DOOM).
To maintain power and wealth within 1% of the population you have to control the other 99%. The current government systems that are experiencing revolution know this and will fight, fire upon and kill their own people to maintain it.
2 comments:
It is situations such as this that make me a staunch supporter and advocate for a slow, progressive change to a "controlled" Socialist society. And I say Socialist with a capital S because I mean it, believe it, signed up and bought the book on it. In no way am I what Americans refer to as a communist, however, I do believe that what all capitalistic societies could use is a slight change in practices. With Socialism you get the best of both worlds... Sure you still have a small percentage of the population monopolizing the larger percentage of available resources (i.e. money), but that larger piece of the pie comes with the responsibility of providing for the masses, the poor, the tired and the hungry. Imagine whole societies where education is truly free, where there is no need for a "welfare" system because the needs (healthcare, employment) of the people are taken care of by the government. Where there is no cost of living increase, because the government surplus is designed to absorb it. Sure we have seen this idea before (ex. Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, current-day China) and we have seen it misused. But I present to you the 1st Democratic-Socialist society. At least we would get to vote for the regime that we want to dictate to us.
We are a socialistic society under the guise of a capitalistic one. Do we really get to vote for the leaders that dictate our lives? Democracy is far from a simple issue and here in the good-ole US of A at best we are presented with a couple predetermined choices. The "people" do not elect our high ranking leaders, those with the right money and power do. The "people" generally don't have 200 million to spend on getting the vote, nor are they connected to the "right" people to earn the "right" support.
Socialism can only exist in a world where equality among men is truly valued, liberty is earned as a birth right and capitalism doesn't exist. As long as 4% of the population control 96% of the world you cannot expect the powers that be to dole out equal portions. Be realistic, the wealthy want more, the rich want wealth and the poor want to be rich. If education was truly free, people existed equally and fairly, the elite hoarding of resources and power would cease. I don't see any kings, queens, dictators or truly wealthy people giving up 1 dime. They do their part by donating to charity:)
Post a Comment