A united public could easily oust the oligarchs and put them where they belong (the guillotines). But that requires large-scale public co-operation and putting aside differences, something the American public is wholly incapable of. I don’t think it would be that hard if that was required in Europe.
Even in Europe when things would get bad enough for the people to put aside their differences and kill the ruling class, the differences tend to re-assert themselves once the common enemy is gone. That’s where things go south. Cutting heads off is like eating potato chips. You can’t just stop once you’ve started. Eventually you’re pulling crumbs out of the bottom of the bag.
If it gets bad enough for the American people to unite to kill the oppressors, the oppressors will definitely have a bad time, but you better be ready for one hell of a rough ride after.
Don’t get me wrong, I think we’re at the point where it may be the only way out. It’s just nothing to look forward to, and suggesting Europe “does it better” isn’t comforting.
A united public could easily oust the oligarchs and put them where they belong (the guillotines). But that requires large-scale public co-operation and putting aside differences, something the American public is wholly incapable of. I don’t think it would be that hard if that was required in Europe.
We’re not incapable, it’s just been thoroughly trained out of us. My dog doesn’t bite but he still has teeth.
Even in Europe when things would get bad enough for the people to put aside their differences and kill the ruling class, the differences tend to re-assert themselves once the common enemy is gone. That’s where things go south. Cutting heads off is like eating potato chips. You can’t just stop once you’ve started. Eventually you’re pulling crumbs out of the bottom of the bag.
If it gets bad enough for the American people to unite to kill the oppressors, the oppressors will definitely have a bad time, but you better be ready for one hell of a rough ride after.
which is worse, the oligarchy (french monarchy) or the aftermath - robespierre / reign of terror etc?
I’d say france, after, even with the horrors of the transition is worth it.
we killed and forced our british royal oppressors once. so… perhaps… but it’s awfully hard to rebuild things once wrecked.
Honestly, there is going to be a rough ride either way. Might as well make it useful.
Thank you. So many people lately that think there’s some magic “fix everything” button hidden in the neck of whatever top asshole is in power.
Doesn’t take too deep a look at revolutions the world over to see that isn’t the case.
Don’t get me wrong, I think we’re at the point where it may be the only way out. It’s just nothing to look forward to, and suggesting Europe “does it better” isn’t comforting.
We do have oligarchs in Europe, they’re just not celebrities like their American counterparts. And very few of them are the actual billionaires.
That being said, they seem to keep low profile, maybe they really did learn the hard lesson from the European history.