Important stuff going on in NYC, also now mirroring in Boston. Uncovered by national media, spread the word.

https://occupywallst.org/

Y/N?

Marx postulated that, in a purely capitalist society, there would eventually become an overwhelming disparity of wealth between the very rich and the common man. Think Dickens' London, mid 19th century, or better yet, Paris, 1788 (not exactly capitalist, I know, but the dichotomy of the society is similar in scale). Marx, having lived the ravages of impoverished London, concludes that the only response can be socialism. His view is understandable, if a bit idealistic on the true character of human nature.

Current capitalist thought, specifically American economic pragmatism, holds that this can never be true, because for so long as one has an idea it is possible for one to earn money, and a lot of it. If anyone can have an idea, anyone can be rich, hence leveling the playing field; and who doesn't want to be rich? Those who believe maybe a little socialism would be good for the democracy, well, they're just too lazy to get rich themselves, and seek to spoil being wealthy with backbreaking taxes for those of us who do.

In a booming economy, this might actually be true. When money is plentiful on the ground, credit, which is that age old companion to commercialism, is easy to come by. If you can get credit, you can develop your fabulous idea, make a mint, and never worry for money again. Its when you cannot get credit that the idea breaks down. When there is no credit, there is no way to develop the idea, only the possibility of selling it to the highest bidder, who might not be bidding very high at all. This is leaving out the money and legal clout necessary to enforce a patent, if it can be enforced at all.

All of this, of course, increases the divide between rich and poor, and, in a country that was supposed to be about being a self made man not even death can assist in leveling the playing field, we end up in the ugly conundrum we face today, with megacorporations, legal near-monopolies, and 10% of the country owning more wealth than the other 90% combined. Unite that with the fact that money means more than words or intent in the political sphere, and we are heading down a very dangerous road.

Here's the question:

In the 1990's, when the economy was booming, was the wealth better distributed? Can the line where the shift started to be made at the downturn of the economy, or can it be made at the tax cuts and deregulations of the Bush (and Clinton) years? Which is more important? And, knowing the potential this has for our democracy, what the hell are we going to do to fix it?

The New Realism

I've decided that I should bring this blog into a new state of being. Using it as a sounding board for my own personal issues isn't nearly as heartening as using it as a sounding board for all kinds of other, general, public issues. Therefore, I think I will use it as a way of expressing opinions and exposing facts that seem to be otherwise overlooked or underestimated or simply ignored on the mad mass screaming of the current political climate. I'm not a politician, I don't even study politics, I'm a total outsider looking in and bringing to bear analytical and critical tools that have fallen by the wayside in the public forum. I have no idea if I'll be good at it. But, I do hope to explain myself and my opinions to the fullest extent I am able. Its important, in any age, to have voices who do that. If my faint murmurs get any attention, I hope it makes you pause and think before you react, whether it is to shriek with fury or to sound an agreement. I'm tired of being wrong and crazy and unpatriotic. Its time for a new face of so-called liberalism. Lets try realism for a while.

Holy smokes...

ok, admittedly, from last year, but considering how pathetic a birthday it was, I'm having a happy moment here---thanks guys, best birthday present EVER!

John Barrowman and Gareth Lloyd

epic sexy silliness

Best. Weekend. Evar....

I had one of those truly rocking weekends. Went to Beers of the World on Friday, found Woodchuck Dark and Dry Cider, Purple Haze and---for serious---Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale (it was tasty, and now i have the awesomest bottle ever). Hung out with Jess and Colin-teh-roommate (encouraging what sparks appeared the whole way), went to Petsmart and got very depressed when other roommate vetoed adopting a kitty. Went home, chilled,  ate, and then--big surprise here--started the drinking. It got really fun really fast, especially when people decided that beer needed to happen, because, dammit, we were gonna party. So we got more beer, and went back to he apartment, where there was then--Rock Band. Oh yeah. We had a SHITE-TONNE of fun. Crashed out, woke up, watched Colin's fish for a while, agreed with Alay that last night's party was TEH AWESOME, and then worked on homework. Got dinner with Colin, went to senior's night with the guys, where me and Colin bailed on Alay. Went home, chilled, crashed out, and got up today--talked to Jess, went shopping with her, went to her place, hung out with her and Dre, made corn chowder, met new webcomics, and watched the Golden Globes.

all in all?

GREAT WEEKEND.

Plan for next weekend? 

Friday night: Drunk snow football

Saturday: ?

Sunday night: Me making chicken soup.

Hells friggin yes.

In Memorial

Zoe 

February 1998 ~ January 2009

A most excellent cat

Ms. Zoe Motormouth Lapwhore passed today after she suffered liver failure earlier this holiday season. Zoe was loud, demanding, an attention whore, and the best lap cat you will ever see. She had a remarkable personality, and was very devoted to her human mom. She will be deeply missed.

O.O

amazing snow of DOOM!