It may
sound exaggerating, but Bernie Sanders may be our best hope right now
for a real turn towards a sustainable future for the benefit of the
majority, rather for the ruling elite.
by system
failure
Bernie
Sanders seems to have all the characteristics, which are necessary to
stop the onslaught of the elites against the majority, not only in
the US, but globally. He speaks about state intervention and control
of the greedy banking industry that brought so much chaos. He says
what should be taken for granted: that every citizen has the right to
free medical care and education. He says that the ruling class should
pay more taxes, currently loaded to the indebted, hard-working and
rapidly reduced, middle class.
My
generation does not have memory of any US presidential candidate
speaking so straightforward against the greedy elites, while
supporting the rights of the majority. Sanders frequently refers to
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) during his speeches, and this is another
sign about his intentions, if he manage to get elected as the next US
president.
There are at
least two common characteristics with the FDR-era and the
Sanders-era. The first important characteristic, is that both came
out of a very difficult period for the United States, with the Great
Depression of 1929, and, the major economic crisis of 2008
respectively. Both these crises had major impact globally, directly
or indirectly. The second important characteristic, is that Bernie
Sanders senses already the hostility of the establishment, which is
shaped by the interests of the big banks and corporations. Similarly,
FDR faced this hostility of the same establishment, especially after
taking the presidency.
After
decades of demonization of social policies, under the domination of
the neoliberal doctrine in
the West, the corporate media managed to implant in the minds of the
societies, the perception that the state is, more or less, something
evil. An entity which drives societies backwards instead of the free
market which leads to progress and prosperity.
Back in
1933, when FDR got elected, he had to face the attack of the
corporate establishment, which was trying to fight his initiatives to
put the state in the front line for the restart of the US economy.
Public relations was something new. Edward Bernays had admitted after
decades that he was searching at that time for a "smoothest"
term instead of "propaganda", to use it in favor of big
corporations to sell their products, at times of peace. Corporations
used public relations to present the private sector as a far better
force than the state, towards the wealth and prosperity. In reality,
they were only afraid that would lose significant profits from
various programs, taken over by the state to create jobs.
FDR was
aware of this type of propaganda by the corporate establishment and
the associated political elite. A quote from a Roosevelt's speech is
characteristic: “A few timid people, who fear progress, will try
to give you new and strange names for what we are doing. Sometimes
they will call it 'Fascism,' sometimes 'Communism,' sometimes
'Regimentation,' sometimes 'Socialism.' But, in so doing, they are
trying to make very complex and theoretical something that is really
very simple and very practical.”
Despite its
imperfections, Roosevelt's "New Deal" created millions of
new jobs and new infrastructure for the benefit of all American
citizens, boosted some sectors such as agriculture, strengthened
social security and boosted the economy in general. The response of
Roosevelt, "of course we spend money", to his opponents,
captures the perception of his government, giving importance to the
prosperity and relief of people and not to the strict austerity for
the sake of economic indexes. Indeed, while in 1933 the national debt
was 20% of GDP, by 1936 this figure almost doubled, but what mattered
for Roosevelt was to relieve American citizens and give them hope and
perspective.
Current
model does not seem to be more successful, after all. On the
contrary: the debt continuously rise, reaching record numbers, but
the money go to the top instead of the bottom 99% who is getting
poorer.
Nearly 80
years later, the same type of propaganda is being used by the much
ruthless and powerful elite inside the dominant neoliberal doctrine,
to demonize anyone who dares to speak about social policies in favor
of the majority. But, remarkably, Bernie Sanders starts to change
that. He speaks openly about Democratic Socialism, yet his popularity
rises.
It appears
that this old-type propaganda starts to fade, but there is also
another, new factor which makes the difference: the independent,
alternative information through the internet. Sanders appears to be
quite popular among younger generations
who have access to alternative information. His voice reach them
without any kind of manipulation. The simple truth that Sanders
speaks, is absolutely understandable and acceptable by the people and
that's why the establishment can't do much right now to reduce his
growing popularity.
The signals
coming from Davos are very scary. The elites are planning to take all
the power through massive privatizations, absolute control of all the
resources and the new hyper-automated means of production, further
militarization of societies, and minimization of the state protection
and intervention. And that's because they understand that current
model is not sustainable, therefore, the only way to preserve it, is
by absolute suppression.
And here
comes the unique chance of the American people to lead the battle for
the reversal of the course, away from this dark future. By voting for
Sanders, the state will regain its power
to rebuild the economy. It will start to function for the benefit of
the majority, not for the benefit of the Wall Street mafia. And, most
importantly, the United States can become an example, bequeathing the
reborn social model to Europe and elsewhere, as it happened after WWII, thanks to the New Deal heritage.
It will not
be an easy battle. It is certain that the establishment will attempt to "occupy" Sanders,
but the support of the American people will be crucial, in order this
battle to be victorious.
Comments
Post a Comment