You ignore this class war at your own peril

another-win

Of the estimated 130 some wars, mini wars and warlets we've got going on, some wars matter more than others.

How Many Wars Is the US Really Fighting?

Hint: the answer is way more than you think

.

Of all these, there is one war that matters most. It has nothing to do with terrorism. It is a war for the soul of America and the world.

It is a class war and it is the most serious war of them all - bar none. Trans-national corporations are ascendant and they are coming at us with everything they've got, including boatloads of cash, an army of corrupt and compromised politicians and the TPP.

Speaking of the class war in America, Bill Moyers said:

The Plutocrats Are Winning. Don’t Let Them!

Dear Readers:

In the fall of 2001, in the aftermath of 9/11, as families grieved and the nation mourned, Washington swarmed with locusts of the human kind: wartime opportunists, lobbyists, lawyers, ex-members of Congress, bagmen for big donors: all of them determined to grab what they could for their corporate clients and rich donors while no one was looking.

Across the land, the faces of Americans of every stripe were stained with tears. Here in New York, we still were attending memorial services for our firemen and police. But in the nation’s capital, within sight of a smoldering Pentagon that had been struck by one of the hijacked planes, the predator class was hard at work pursuing private plunder at public expense, gold-diggers in the ashes of tragedy exploiting our fear, sorrow, and loss.

What did they want? The usual: tax cuts for the wealthy and big breaks for corporations. They even made an effort to repeal the alternative minimum tax that for fifteen years had prevented companies from taking so many credits and deductions that they owed little if any taxes. And it wasn’t only repeal the mercenaries sought; they wanted those corporations to get back all the minimum tax they had ever been assessed.

They sought a special tax break for mighty General Electric, although you would never have heard about it if you were watching GE’s news divisions — NBC News, CNBC, or MSNBC, all made sure to look the other way.

They wanted to give coal producers more freedom to pollute, open the Alaskan wilderness to drilling, empower the president to keep trade favors for corporations a secret while enabling many of those same corporations to run roughshod over local communities trying the protect the environment and their citizens’ health.

It was a disgusting bipartisan spectacle. With words reminding us of Harry Truman’s description of the GOP as “guardians of privilege,” the Republican majority leader of the House dared to declare that “it wouldn’t be commensurate with the American spirit” to provide unemployment and other benefits to laid-off airline workers. As for post 9/11 Democrats, their national committee used the crisis to call for widening the soft-money loophole in our election laws.

Bill Moyers
(emphasis added)

Locusts of the human kind. The predator class. That says it all.

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jimmy-carter-unlimited-bribery-oligarchy-III
jimmy-carter-unlimited-bribery-oligarchy-III

Carter has also been harshly critical of Hillary as Secretary of State.


“In this occasion, when Secretary Clinton was Secretary of State, she took very little action to bring about peace.”

Jimmy Carter

This is why business as usual is no longer good enough. The oligarchy means to continue their domination by any means necessary. Nevertheless, it's on us to stop them. We cannot afford to let them win.

This is for all the marbles.

This election will determine whether corporate domination of government will reign supreme or the people will once again become their government. The 99% has to win this.

2016-election-is-not-about-III

Corporate interests, if allowed to dominate, will delay our transition from fossil fuels, and relegate climate change, human rights and social justice to the ash heap while ushering in an era of supersized corporate plunder spearheaded by the TPP and fueled by war crimes.

ike-I-tried-to-warn-you

The 1% mean to crush us.

class-warfare

The American people have lost all control of their government. Bernie is our ticket back to power over our own lives and our own destiny. This is not about politics as usual. This is about fighting back.

The billionaire class started this war, not us. But the people have to win it.

DEM 2016 Sanders

There is a class war in America and it’s time to fight back!

"There is a secret to being a supporter of Bernie Sanders. It is something that totally escapes the thinking of most Democrats and Republicans. It is the mental understanding that Sanders is fighting a war that most people are not. It is the war between corporations and the people. Unless you are fighting this war as well, you cannot possibly understand how important it is to vote for Bernie over Hillary. This is not about Hillary or Bernie, it is about fighting your real enemies, the multi-national corporations who are trying to control this nation and the world. You ignore this war at your own peril." - Randolph Greer

Bernie has been a long shot from the beginning. Virtually no one thought he'd make it this far. This was never a sure thing. It's an opportunity. That's all it is. It will only work if we make it. It's only an opportunity if we seize it. If we want change, we need to make it happen now.

It's time for a change of direction, a reordering of priorities, a reckoning with past wrongs. It's time for just and reality-based governance, it's time for dignity, equality and justice for all people. We have work to do. We need to quit fooling around. This is our shot at a new day in America, and a new, more honest window on the challenges we face. This is our moment. We need to seize it.

Here's to peace, justice and progress for all.

And here's to government of, by and for the people. May it never vanish from the face of the earth.

apache
rfk-jr

Important info for Bernie voters.

baez-endorsement

Go Bernie!

DEM 2016 Sanders
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Comments

Sorry about the formatting issues. Any help? They are all mostly 640 pixels wide. Is there a practical limit?

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MarilynW's picture

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To thine own self be true.

kharma's picture

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There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

mine too.

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640 is cool. Thanks for the essay, my friend.

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Thanks for all your info, your dedication, your optimism.

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ngh

detroitmechworks's picture

with Extraterritoriality for Corporations as the end game, IF the corps win. It's really all that's left, after TPP for them to go for. Self-government, and all the perks and wealth hoarding that goes along with it. (Can you just imagine the nightmare of trying to get tax money out of Corporate owned and administrated land?)

Some folks say that I read too much Cyberpunk. I just say that other folks don't read enough.

Ah well, no matter who wins, we need to keep fighting the good fight. My kids and their kids depend on it.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99KH0TR-J4]

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Haikukitty's picture

One of the earliest novels I ever read that had corporate enclaves in place of "government" - I should go back and read it again, its been at least 20 years, I wonder if it will hold up?

I know I absolutely loved it when I read it.

I didn't consider it Cyberpunk, but in looking it up, I see someone has listed it that way. Biggrin

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I first read Marge Piercy, wow, 45 years ago. She's unique.

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ngh

Miep's picture

And maquiladoras and all that good stuff?

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Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

Ravensword's picture

So if you need a runner, you can call on me.

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Szaephod's picture

Thanks for these images and messages OPOL, I was getting a little low from some of the bad news (not necessarily political) in some of the other posts - but you refocussed me on the positive energy needed to get Sen. Sanders elected. Thanks!

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The spirit of party serves to enfeeble the Public Administration,
agitates with Jealousies and false alarms, and opens the door to corruption,
which finds access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.
George Washington

Great essay!
P.S. I particlarly liked your Bernie reality vs spin picture that you published 1or 2 days ago, which exposed the lies of the Clintons and the media in a so powerful way. Everyone should see that!

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The establishment is powerful. If we want to change this world, we have to unite first. El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido.

fact-spin

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The establishment is powerful. If we want to change this world, we have to unite first. El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido.

mjsmeme's picture

Remember this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSP4ZaXhZ-U. it always picks me up.

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hester's picture

posts after leaving that other place. So happy to see you posting here.

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Don't believe everything you think.

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ngh

Love OPOL essays!

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O.k. When is the next meeting for the revolution?
-FuturePassed on Sunday, November 25, 2018 10:22 p.m.

Lookout's picture

Do you mind folks copying and using your images to push the message and movement? I confess I have been, figuring you wouldn't mind. Thanks for posting here. I love your work.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Feel free.

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shaharazade's picture

I logged in at dkos just to read and rec you. Now I get to read it here and like it again. It's a beauty and it seems to fit fine. Looks good and reads true.

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PubliusVergil's picture

Amen Brother OPOL ! I'm glad you have NEVER failed to speak truth to power.

This war has been going on since the founding, and they tilted the game with the assassination of JFK, MLK, and RFK.

If I may "Kanye" the post for a brief moment, there is one more pic that needs to be included for historical context, and I think you'll agree.

Anyway semester is almost over, and I hope to be able to start the "history for" posts like Unitary Moonbat and I used to do over at TOP.

Best wishes in your cosmic travels, after all, "what a long strange trip its been"...

PubliusVergil

Dorthea Lange - Kern Co Gas Station.jpg

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orlbucfan's picture

I would watch for his/her comments. I came on board the GOS in 2008. It's just sad anymore.

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

mouselander's picture

Very glad to see you here, because I don't go there anymore.

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inactive account

thanatokephaloides's picture

Very glad to see you here, because I don't go there anymore.

No, no, no, no, I don't go there no more
I'm tired of ending up on the floor
No thank you please, it only makes me sneeze
And makes it very hard to find the door.....
-- apologies to Ringo Starr (the No-No Song)

Smile

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

lotlizard's picture

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Cassiodorus's picture

I get Kos Fatigue these days -- but toward a good end. I'll brag about it later. Meanwhile, the archive blossoms:

https://cassiodorusblog.wordpress.com/about/

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"there's something so especially sadistic about waving the flag of a country that you're actively destroying" -- Aaron Mate

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to me! Nice to see it!

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wilderness voice's picture

I'll take Joan Baez and an Apache chief over the entire bunch of Hillary endorsers any day.

Welcome OPOL!

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Thank you.

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Hawkfish's picture

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We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg

michelewln's picture

Now that you are here I can officially not go beyond Street Prophets at GOS. Thank you.

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A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. Oscar Wilde

I'm scared. When we will have another opportunity to send a good man to the White House?

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MsGrin's picture

...and it's especially mean right now because it sees that it's threatened which is not a state it's used to.

Keep the faith.
Keep fighting.

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

thanatokephaloides's picture

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

-- Christian Scriptures, Revelation 12:12 (KJV) source

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

snoopydawg's picture

The benefits of reading your diary here is there are no obnoxious trolls who's only purpose is to derail your diaries.
I be banned for writing just one comment I want to say to those assholes that do that.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

So I consider it a measure of my effectiveness. The more they holler, the better I figure I'm doing. Smile

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Aardvark's picture

I would be happy to derail One Pissed Off Liberal's diary like an obnoxious troll so that you could then express what you want to those obnoxious trolls, and not get banned for it.

If that would help you.

Peace and love to you, reader.

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I recommended the cross-post too, though you and BNR are the only reasons I go there now.

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"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

JayRaye's picture

but love seeing you here also!!!

Hope you'll cross post here more often. And I promise if you do, I'll still go on over to TOP to give you a rec over there. Don't comment any more over there, but glad to rec up the Bernie post. If y'all are brave enuf to post them there, then the least I can do is give them a rec.

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Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.-Lucy Parsons

Damnit Janet's picture

For posting this here. I went over to T&R the BNR after weeks of radio silence.

I won't do it again... I stayed and read a few really nasty comments.

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"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison

Tommymac's picture

Primo stuff brother. I can feel my karma getting right already.

You are keeping my feet dry...I have such limited time these weeks that I have to choose some days where to go here or TOS...so now I come here to read - slink over there just to Rec LD and you and a few others when I can and keep my feet out of the swamp ooze in the comments.

Peace.

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FEEL THE BERN: "But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." - Thomas Paine
"Here I Stand, I can do no other." - Attributed to Martin Luther, 1521

orlbucfan's picture

Considered a loss? Man, I hope he and his NYposse kick you-know-who out of the water!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Shahryar's picture

if they tell you it's so.

New York is pretty key. A win of any kind there, even if it's 50-49.9 will tip the New Jersey vote, and then Oregon (already probably a Bernie state) and then California.

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Frank In Wa's picture

Namaste

Frank

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I've not been giving the other place many clicks. I have looked during the brief visits over there but nothing seems to cream 'we're in the mandated general election' position.

Is that because this thing isn't wrapped up? I thought it was. I thought the delegate lead and the math just didn't add up anymore, blah blah blah. Is that because they've been including super delegate numbers int he total even though we're told that the super delegates will go the way of the voters?

Has the psychological warfare for the primaries not worked out as cleanly as they hoped? Is there no inevitability to be had after all we were told about that being the case?

But anyway, just wondering.

I'm not laying any claim that this or that candidate is going to win or lose, but it seems to me that there has been a lot of bluster and hot air about the pragmatic one, but I'm not hearing or seeing the overwhelming 'excitement'.

There seems to be a lot of burned out people just holding on to hoping for something better…and I for one don't see that something better with a Clinton in office - just more of the same to tell Americans how great things are as they undermine jobs and ship off our prosperity to other countries in the name of free trade.

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sensetolisten's picture

I read this on TOS but couldn't comment or rec, but I rather especially loved this one.

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“I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.”
― Harry Truman

My journey on DK goes back to the early days. It's pretty obvious it's past time to create new venues for real progressive action and discussion. Obviously I know you need to keep posting at DK for this cycle, but i'm glad to see you posting here as well for the exiled.

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