The New Aristocracy

[phazedout]

So,

Somewhat depressing post from JMS indicating the putting down of the have nots by the haves, the exploitation of the disempowered by the wealthy and the fact that it has been allowed to happen (my paraphrasing, please read the full post either on the book of face or in the interesting JMS facebook and twitter posts thread, elsewhere however Jan has aske dus to put discussion here, so I am doing so.

I have watched with mounting disbelief and disguist country after country, government after government, including the one I worked for, screw over the "common man" and hit the workers who are least able to defend themselves (middle and low income) to protect the privalged and the rich, the bankers, the property developers and so on. One of my reasons for choosing Finland to start my new life was becuase it, at least, if not immune, seemed more concerned with still enshrining the rights of the poor and providing basic things like free education and health care for everyone (me included).

So, what are your thoughts on this potentially depressing observation of the world we live in, the only world, for now, that we have.

Please note I am not getting plitical, not bashing this or previous administrations in my own country or any others, just seeking thoughts.
Alan

[Ubik]

JMS' words also echo the situation here in the UK. Our conservative government is more interested in empowering the rich, and their big business pals. Most of our community services, civil service and support services are being sold off and outsourced to the private sector, much to the detriment of those services. Now instead of genuinely helping people, it's about how to make an profit and do so with the least possible expenditure and investment.

The arts and the poor have been hit hard, and support for those truly in need is either no longer there or a shadow of what it once was. All in the name of austerity.

It is a rather depressing picture, and there seem to be few viable alternatives. There has been a marked rise of political parties (UKIP / BNP) with far right views on immigration and other issues. These are now being seen (by some) as serious political contenders. I certainly hope this is not reflected in the coming elections, but they do have support in regions hit hard the the economics crisis. People are angry, and those who are less well informed are more than happy to rally behind those who would blame our problems on minorities and outside influences. Nonsense of course, but people like a scapegoat.

Where there are still intelligent people, who are not complacent about politics, there is still hope. However, I think the masses feel very distant from the political system, and do not feel it engages them or represents them in any way.

[Jan]

For anybody who hasn't read the original post and conversation, here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=760992300602302&id=139652459402959&stream_ref=10

I must say, it was a really civil discussion. I was quite pleased with the level of thoughtfulness.

Jan

[Babel-17]

Thanks for the heads-up. It's great to know that JMS is aware of the situation on the ground amongst the 99%.

I've reposted a link to his comments on a political forum.

It was coincidental that I visited today and found a link pertaining to the forum that initially led me to post in a different thread here.

[Babel-17]

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/02/thomas-piketty-capital-in-the-twenty-first-century-french-economist

I'm guessing that JMS is aware of the stir that this economist has caused.

[Jan]

Somebody asked him about this, I think and he said he was considering buying the book.

Jan

[Jan]

Take from this what one will:

So I thought I'd boost this so it could get more widely read. Facebook opted not to accept the boost, saying it violated their guidelines because it made "claims that are unrealistic or unlikely."

(For those who aren't aware, Facebook doesn't show all the posts from every page/friend on your list. But they've conveniently made it possible for you to pay to 'boost' the post to be seen by more of your followers or even people who have similar 'likes')

Jan

[Babel-17]

I posted an excerpt at DU and it's currently a 5 star, highest recommended, thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024905017

JMS sure knows how to talk to people and this message is resonating.

[Jan]

I registered in order to post that it was indeed JMS who posted to his Fan page. Thanks for the kind words and plug for #FreeBabylon5, Babel-17!

Jan

[Babel-17]

Thanks for confirming the JMS posting, Jan. I appreciate your registering to do so. I'm glad/relieved to hear JMS is laboring away to spread this message. I'm a little cautious about spreading his words to other sites but the message is important enough that I just went ahead.

[Jan]

By the way...I decided to see what would happen and I gave the post a small 'boost' from the JMSnews Facebook page. It appears to have gone through with no problem with an additional reach of over 500 so far.

ETA: Looks like FB changed their minds:

Apparently somebody at Facebook got the message, and the boost post problem has been cleared up. But even now, pre-boost, this post has been seen by over 44,000 people, and has been forwarded, retweeted and shared by over a thousand folks on both sides of the political spectrum. I think we struck a nerve....

Jan

[Milkman]

Sadly.. my opinion on this... is best quoted by kosh...


"The avalanche has already started, it is too late for the pebbles to vote"

[Babel-17]

3019 views at The Democratic Underground.

[Jan]

Cool. BTW, I don't know how I missed it before but this looks like a precursor to the 'Rules':

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=553089294725938&id=139652459402959

I copied the entire post in the 'Interesting' thread.

Jan

[Babel-17]

Cool. BTW, I don't know how I missed it before but this looks like a precursor to the 'Rules':

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=553089294725938&id=139652459402959

I copied the entire post in the 'Interesting' thread.

Jan

Thanks! I've passed it along.