The Beginning Of The End

[HARDCORE]

Many a high roller has long believed that almost everything here in the United States (AND INDEED THE ENTIRE WORLD), is for sale!? And with a few exceptions, these 'me-ists' are (unfortunately) often correct in this assumption.

"And yeah, I do believe that this includes (many) individuals, as well as vast chunks of some foreign governments!" And anyone who feels otherwise, although entitled to fantasize, is in my opinion, living in La-La Land!

This phenomenon is nothing new however, as it was a trait (unfortunately), that was a carry-over from the ?Old World!? One that manifested itself in the profiteering that swept over America, even as far back as the Revolutionary War. A war in which a third of the population embraced the cause of Liberty, a third were Loyalist (Tories), and the remaining third just didn?t give a damned one way or the other!

"You know the kind" - they kept their heads buried under a pile of excrement when the heat was on, then emerge shortly after the fact to take a bow, join in on the parades, and brag (over a case of brew) about their daring, Munchausen-like exploits!

OK, this is human nature (sad though it is), and it ain?t about to go away! The only things that seems to rapidly fade from memory are the sacrifices of those who, for one reason or another, genuinely found themselves in the middle of the shit, in some far-away no-man?s land! Or even the challenges faced on the home front by those who do battle with a few bought and paid for politically-motivated camp-followers!

A person does not, after all, have to be a great warrior nor possess a brilliant mind, to be a (genuine) patriot, but he (or she) does have to act like a American! "And in a democracy, silence is not golden!"

I remember reading about one individual (a semi-intelligent cuss - opinion), who erroneously passed himself off as being a mid-ranking military officer, a fighter pilot with several aerial victories, and yes, even a POW. He had even endeared himself with a couple of regional politicos, and was being considered for (future) public office himself, until a subsidiary of a major TV network busted his ass!

But did the bureaucrats whom he had conned and romanced distance themselves from this person when the truth surfaced - "Hell No They Didn't!" As a matter of fact, they even rushed to his defense!?

So what in the hell does this have to do with anything you ask? Well, at least in my opinion, it all goes along with the idea that far too much is for sale these days! Ethics, morality, flesh, blood, and even souls! As a matter of fact, even sports stadiums and major teams are now being sold and renamed (again and again) to major corporations who possess everything monetary, and very little of any lasting worth, purpose or meaning! (opinion)

Unfortunately, it doesn?t stop there either! I just saw on the news where (to raise revenue), some California (cash depressed) schools are even suggesting that big business be allowed to buy into their educational systems (a huge tax write-off and ego-booster no doubt)?

Naturally, the name of these dedicated "learning institutions (?)" would also be changed and would bare the handle of the corporation whom they sold-out to. ?Talk about your brainwashing from childhood!??

I don?t know how many of you have seen the original (not the remake) of the movie ?ROLLERRBALL? with James Caan? It was a futuristic flick, in which the major international corporations controlled government and settled their differences through a bloody sporting game.

This gaming event was played out by international teams (Winner take all)! But in reality, this scenario is not all that far afield or fictional, in my opinion? The actual teams today, however, being the military of any given nation, as the boys with the cash do, have, and always will, exert far more than their fair share of influence within the world's political arena!

How many ?American? factory workers (if there are any American factories left that is), do you see getting invited to posh state functions? Or how many retired (military and private sector alike) common Joes (or Jills) do you see sitting down to a plate-full of snails or prime bully-beef at the White House? The only part of that pampered cow that many of us may ever sample is the bi-products, as your average (hard-pressed) citizen does not donate heavily to political parties?

Sure, these political factions romance our support, but after the last vote is tallied, the ?Lords of Power and Greed" [thanks Neil], won?t even share breathing space with what they perceive to be the "Little People!"

?Not So? says you! Well, when was the last time you were invited over to that 'Old White Mansion' for a "$1000 A Dish-Load Of Truffles A La Hot Air?" It's not that I have any malice toward those who fart through silk sheets mind you, as ?Hell knows?, the super affluent are needed in the ?Old Melting Pot? too! "Someone has to supply the vested bull-shit for the stew!"

There I go again, getting off of ?My Train of Thought? (this meandering comes with advancing years I fear)! The point that I was attempting to make, before I found myself way out there in left field, was that some things ?MUST NOT? be for sale at any price, not even in a democracy!

A man?s loyalties, his love of country, his beliefs, and his family, must never be bartered away to any fool with a fat bank account and sorely lacking moral fiber!

What kind of a message does it send to youth when that kid?s school can be controlled (even in name alone) by anyone who has the price, no matter how he attained that fortune, ethically or not! And let?s face it, politics is an opiate. Why else would some fool slobber over the thought of a public office (that?s a laugh), that pays but a fraction of what he knock down in the private sector?

?These ?Pamperinas? only strive for public office out of dedication, public service, or perhaps an overwhelming love of the people themselves,? says you? ?WELL BULL SHIT" SAYS I!!

?So what is left for them to satiate after they have it all, save for self-ego and the neverending need for power?? And for some who reside there in, power is a bottomless pit of self-interest!

I wish that it were true - that a few men and women who had attained wealth, fame and power, enter politics to repay (at least in part), for their good fortune? But alas, ?I doubt this like hell!? And as far as letting giant corporations ?Buy Into Our Public School System? and rename those schools after themselves, and maybe even partially control the curriculum, this is ?Pure, Unadulterated Bull Shit!? This will do naught but train young minds to believe that ?EVERYTHING? in their adult lives is fixed and/or for sale!

?COME TO THINK OF IT?!?

VERITAS :cd: :cd: :ek: :cd: :cd:

[catman]

Hardcore, I too call bullshit on this!!! Thanks for the excellant post!

Trav