General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Capitalism is NOT a dirty word. [View all]TheKentuckian
(25,023 posts)However, I think there is some disconnect in play between observation and assessment and the solutions point. I think this is because of rational concern about the risks of blowback from poking the bear, while having a more than a legitimate understanding that the bear must be poked (arguably hard enough to be taken out but that risks even more dangerous bears after a clusterfuck so it is to be avoided).
I get the impression that you essentially think the best thing to do is to wait for the dumbass bear to poke it's self and hope that rather than plowing us after the clusterfuck (that I guess you calculate will cause less upheaval even if more suffering) they do something more broadly beneficial to help them to not poke themselves so.
You also seem reluctant to connect that since only fear motivates these fucks, fear must be in the toolbox. There has to be a plausible threat to wealth and power for a better deal. What always turn out to be temporary deals that they start trying to claw back no later than day one.
What you describe in your excellent article is not benign, nor is it in any way responsive to the people but rather obstinate assholes that when pressed to existential danger will make moderate concessions until the heat is off and then redouble their previous efforts.
I don't see how talking up capitalism puts their balls in a vise or gives the people any advantage. These folks respond better for us to barbarians at their gates than to partners with suggestions.
You might be able to get a partner with suggestions in charge for a spell IF AND WHEN the barbarians are really at the gates and too many within are thinking that their new barbarian overlords might not be so bad but When there are no barbarians and everyone is singing the praises of the Lord's then the suggestions can be ignored, the only game in town can play by whatever rules it likes.
It is like you want to placate them but know that they cannot really be bargained with in any real sense. I do not believe the evidence supports that anything but the worse can be expected except by applying unrelenting pressure of a gun to the head of the goose that lays the golden eggs, with a grim determination to pull the trigger if concessions aren't made and possibly there has to be some threat that it will be pulled anyway so the folks in steerage wrestle the gun away themselves rather than to lose their cut.
I do find the last bit less than satisfying, as far as our increased power. I just don't see how the exchange of ideas, availability of data, or quick contact time with the complaints and propaganda department actually improves our hand on the levers of power. Well, other than catching them on some embarrassing bullshit that can't be sold in daylight and maintain the illusion of democracy but those setbacks tend toward the temporary and if it is important enough for them they will just do it (see bailout)
They are nothing if not persistent.