General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Greenwald calls-out the dominant Brexit narrative [View all]davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)" (2) petulant, self-serving, simple-minded attacks on disobedient pro-leave voters for being primitive, xenophobic bigots (and stupid to boot), all to evade any reckoning with their own responsibility. Virtually every reaction that falls into the former category emphasizes the profound failures of western establishment factions; these institutions have spawned pervasive misery and inequality, only to spew condescending scorn at their victims when they object. "
The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of primitive, xenophobic bigots who are indeed stupid. They are not limited to either America or Britain, but exist all over the world. There are issues of economics and security to consider in regards to immigration, and some few have genuine concerns about that. The real issue though (here as well as there) has to do with a deep sense of entitlement, racism, xenophobia - and indeed - stupidity.
How many armed militia groups exist today that are trying to "police the borders"? How many Republican voters condemn any attempt at all to resolve our immigration problems? To, for example, even permit children who were born here to remain - and for, perhaps, their parents to remain with them? From the right, we see stories of so called "anchor babies", angry denouncements of Mexicans taking all their jobs, receiving medical treatment when ill or injured... or worse, horror of horrors, receiving some kind of financial assistance through government programs.
There are issues of our time that have to do with Neoliberalism, or NeoConservatism, but the issues of white privilege, racism, ignorance, xenophobia and so on... these issues are the driving force behind a great deal of both poor policy decisions - and utter obstructionism in regards to any kind of legitimate progress.
Greenwald should consider how many Brits who voted to leave didn't actually know what they were really voting for. Were their issues with the Neoliberal elite? Neoliberal politics? Would they even comprehend what those things are? Do they even care? Somehow, for the most part... I doubt it. There may have been some level of resentment over economic issues and so on... but I'll bet you whatever pathetic change I have in my piggy bank, that a lot of that resentment was the idea that people who weren't British Nationals, who had come from away, who were of different race, Nationality, religion and so on... were being helped by funds and programs which they felt should not have been used for anyone but white British Nationals - if even them.
You can hear it all the time from American conservatives (and even some American democrats - though fewer), the frequent rants about the welfare system. Welfare Queens. Lazy free loaders. Gaming the system. Living "high on the hog" through TANF dollars, food stamps and so on. It's beyond stupid - when you consider just how little is actually done to help the poorest among us. Our social safety net does not lift people out of poverty. Government programs in general, whether state or federal... do not pay enough to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
I suspect that Britain and America, in this regards, have a lot in common. I don't know how Greenwald thinks engaging the "Neoliberal elite" is going to resolve this. What we should be doing (in my, perhaps, not so humble opinion) is combating the forces of ignorance, racism, stupidity, Nationalism, white supremacy, greed and selfishness. I am so damned tired of these imbeciles who could not take a simple lesson (learned in most Kindergarten classes and in most Sunday schools) to heart.
Share.
I feel that Greenwald is underestimating the power of petulant white people - and overestimating the power of the "Neoliberal elite". Fact of the matter is, we - and by we I mean white people in general - have some soul searching to do, some growing up. It is time to abandon that part of our ego that suggests that we are what is most important, to embrace, instead, the notion that we are all in this fight for survival... for progress... for liberty, together. We should be building bridges, bringing all peoples of the world together to address the issues of our time, to unify in resolving the issues of poverty, hunger, war, violence... and climate change.
This is no movement founded for justice against the wealthy powers that be, rather, it is the result of misunderstandings, poor education, ignorance, xenophobia, racism... and yes, even stupidity.
Don't get me wrong. America has the same damn issues - and, if anything, white people here are, in general, more xenophobic, racist, petulant, angry - and stupid. Many Brits who voted to leave the EU did not know what it was. Well, many Americans who voted for Bush could not have named the three branches of government. Could not have told you the difference between Iraq and Iran. We've got climate change deniers, evolution deniers, people who believe the earth is only a few thousand years old and disregard science to such an extent that it boggles the mind.
The stupid is everywhere - but that does not mean greater intellect is the solution.
The solution is really damn simple, actually. Let's all agree to share what we have with each other and to make the world a better place. If we can abandon our egos, swallow our pride and screw up our courage enough to give a damn... none of these debates will be necessary in the future.