The 2 Sides of Freedom

Two sides of Freedom... I remember discussing this with a colleague of mine in some detail, some time ago. Though at the time, we were engaged in the subject of democracy (essentially the same thing, only referring to a sort of political freedom). As to the 'material' and the 'spiritual', I will leave that open for someone else to elaborate. I could not however, avoid entering this topic and putting in my two cents.

Upon speaking of which, I believe that there are most certainly two sides of the coin when engaged in some dialogue about democracy and all which it entails...

So here we are in speculation of how we have such a role to play in politics. That is to say, how much of an influence do we have as individuals in determining the functions and processes of our government. Certainly in any democratic society, it is truly a responsibility of ours to have a minimal amount of knowledge in the subject lest we be sheep voting only for those public officials we find most physically appealing, and those bills, laws, and general acts beneficial to us superficially only. I certainly tend to over-complicate things eh?

The electoral system is most definitely our way of expanding our will to the legislation of which we are governed. I propose an inquiry to you now! How much do you feel your government, or politics in general, affects your life? I'm certain that the very few of you who are reading this may conclude... "not very much". To a great extent, I agree... Strange?

Well, I think that the only true functions of legislation which affect me come in the form of the laws which create the order of which my society is structured. That as long as I follow those laws I will not need to bother myself with politics. Hah! It's absolutely true! When I am driving to work, I stop at all the red lights, I stay within the respective speed limit, and I certainly pull over if I see an emergency vehicle heading my way. I am a proper citizen... I dutifully pay my taxes and conduct myself in an appropriate manner when I'm in public. I most certainly do NOT engage in random acts of violence or general misconduct lest I be held accountable by the authorities. As long as I stick to the rules and vote at every given opportunity, then I can push all that boring politics aside and continue with my life, satisfied that I've fulfilled my public obligations.

Some of you more subversive minded fellows may be thinking, "Hold on a second buddy! You really can't be saying these things. How can you lay claims to such blinded notions? Do you, of ALL people, not see that democracy no longer exists?"

Now don't be so quick to grab those pitchforks and torches yet my brothers... With you, I agree as well! However it may be a fallacy to say that democracy no longer exists, rather that it is simply superseded by those functions which more greatly affect our lives. Think, my friends, THINK! ...

As you are driving to work, so dutifully respecting all those laws of the road, are you not doing so within some sort of vehicle? Do you not pay insurance for that vehicle? I'm sure that you won't go very far if you aren't filling your tank up with gasoline. In this example you are driving to work. Where is it that you work? Certainly you are doing so that you may pay your utility bills, right? The money you earn also allows you to periodically visit the grocery store in order to buy food to sustain yourself and your family, does it not? What about the clothing and other necessary items you purchase and consume? I mean seriously! I don't know about the rest of you, but I am definitely obligated to pay my rent every month; for some of you it may be your mortgage payments which puts that roof over your heads. To whom are you paying those bills? What about the innumerable amount of recreational activities you engage in? Do you enjoy playing video games, playing sports, watching movies, going to a nice restaurant, going shopping? I know I enjoy doing ALL of those things once in a while, if my financial situation permits me to do so.

At one point or another, any vehicle you drive was sold new from a car dealership such as General Motors or Toyota. Let's visit a Shell or Chevron gasoline station to keep those engines running. The insurance you pay most likely goes to a major insurance provider such as Geico or AAA. Those who provide you with utilities enjoy a comfortable local monopoly such as Nevada Power or Southwest Gas (most being subsidiaries of Berkshire-Hathaway. You know, that company owned and operated by Warren Buffet?); Most of you probably visit your local Wal-Mart or Kroger's grocery store to fill your refrigerators. Maybe some of you can afford to shop at Sear's or Macy's for clothing or those other necessary items, but Wal-Mart works just as well also. Those recreational activities? Having worked in the theatre industry for quite some time, you're most likely going find the nearest Cinemark or Regal Cinemas to watch a movie; Gamestop has all the video games you'll ever need, though for you athletic types, how about Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods, though of course, Wal-Mart still works just as well; Restaurants can be a dime a dozen but most people will visit McDonald's (convenient how there's one right as you walk in to your friendly, neighborhood, always the lowest prices, always... Wal-Mart) or Burger King or Taco Bell for a "pleasant" meal... As for that rent or mortgage of yours? Well that money is almost always going to wind up in the hands of one bank or another... Well's Fargo, Chase, Citibank, Bank of America... It really doesn't matter...

Now how many of you work for these places? How many of you utterly derive your very livelihoods from all these aforementioned places? Given as how these corporations employ more people than any number of other corporations throughout the entire world... most of you. Regardless of where you work however, you are never in a position (unless you're a major shareholder) to determine how much you get paid, how many hours you will work per week, what benefits you receive, what products or services you sell and to whom, and the general business decisions your company makes. You will always have a boss and you will always have to follow the companies rules in order to maintain your employment there. Doesn't sound very democratic does it?

Now, don't think that just because you're mostly on the other side of the equation, as a consumer, that it's any different. Sure, you may have a choice as to whether you wish to purchase a Samsung or Apple product, but there aren't many other choices. The idea of fair trade and competition will always assure that you are paying the same prices for both. A company like Wal-Mart can maintain its low prices because it's the leading consumer product distributor on the planet, however any company wishing to compete will have to follow suit. You'll likely find the exact same prices at Kroger's (Smith's, Food-4-Less, Harris Teeter), or Target, or Albertson's. Almost every major fast-food chain will have it's "value menu" for those unwilling to spend much, and even those prices will always increase collectively. In reality, inflation is the devaluation of the dollar through increased circulation, however many believe that it's the rising of prices. Well, if it were, than inflation is certainly taking us for a ride isn't it? Two years ago (in the state of Nevada), the price for a gallon of milk was approximately $1.89. Now it's around $2.99 to $3.49. Minimum wage has definitely NOT increased enough to compensate for these rising prices and it seems as if it is only getting worse as time goes by. I can't create or participate in some sort of electoral process to bring prices back down to affordable levels, and I can't go somewhere else and find any sort or relief at that. Sure I can soften the blow a bit by shopping as frugally as possible, but why do I even need to in order to survive? Doesn't sound very democratic does it?

So all the while, as I am struggling to make ends meet living from paycheck to paycheck, as my money is worth less and less because our president decided to print more of it, as I am forced to adhere to the whims of these capitalist, authoritarian, scum sucking, elitist, corporate-economist bastards, as the banks run me out of my very home, I can enjoy living in a free and democratic nation... As long as I stick to the rules and vote at every given opportunity... then I can push all that boring politics aside... satisfied that I've fulfilled my public obligations. That's beginning to sound rather empty, isn't it?
If the government is supposed to be a sheer representation of myself, the people, than why am I still suffering? Why are WE still suffering? Where is the system of democracy formed by our founding fathers, for which our ancestors fought and died for? Why can't our government officials step in and do something about these giant corporations and banks, which are only ceaselessly manipulating the democratic process and taking as much as they possibly can?

Because they don't want to...

Because all of our elected officials are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, plus millions more through corporate lobbying...

Because they do not wish to bear the burden of such responsibility...

Because at the end of the day, they remain on top and we remain on the bottom, complacent and blind...

Because we don't understand what democracy should really be...

Because we don't understand what it truly means to be Free...