Rich vs. Poor
Why the right-left divide is a distraction, how the social safety net is eroding, and what it actually means to be a patriot.
As we move closer to the mid-term elections in our country, we all need to wake up and realize how critical this election will be for our future. Our society has swung so far to one side that we are losing the very basics of what makes a democracy work for the average person. I do not see these arguments as right vs. left or Republican vs. Democrat anymore. We’re so far beyond that. It is now rich vs. poor, and hint: if you’re not part of the 1%, you’re in the poor category. It’s about critical thinking, common sense, and basic human decency. We really need to be looking deeper into what the media is trying to feed us. What are they gaining from all this chaos they keep perpetuating? Obviously, like most things now, it comes back to money, and they make a lot of it by sowing seeds of anger, as anger is profitable after all.
The far right has tapped into the frustrations of many in this country, but is using that hate and frustration against ones who didn’t cause the issues in the first place. It’s displaced anger, and it’s driving a huge divide between average citizens. That’s all by design. A divided country is easier to manipulate. They know there’s power in numbers, and we have the numbers, but cannot decide on our fate. While a portion of individuals believe if we just get rid of this group or that group their lives would magically improve, a good majority of us know it won’t. While some are drowning in racism and hatred, the rest of us are out here fighting to keep our rights and to stop our country from being bought by the highest bidders. For the longest time, I hated the word “patriot” because the ones who claim patriotism are really just showcasing nationalism instead. There’s a big difference between the two. I’m a patriot because I want to live in a country that I can be proud of—a country that cares about all individuals residing within it—and I will continue to fight to hold the U.S. to a higher standard, because it’s what we deserve.
As someone who is already considered disposable by capitalism and the current government, I am seeing firsthand just how fast the social safety net is eroding, and it’s beyond alarming. Giving corporations and CEOs the go-ahead to basically poison our air, land, water, and food just for profit is criminal. The government was supposed to be there to protect the individuals that reside within its borders, not to be the right-hand man to corporations who couldn’t care less about anyone but their bottom dollar. Now we’re seeing the green light to massive data (surveillance) centers, the removal of essential government departments that kept us healthy and safe, as well as obliterating regulations against harmful pesticides and chemicals used on our food, which will continue to pollute our waterways. It’s absolutely despicable, and I think no matter what side of the aisle we’re on, I would hope that we can all agree that we need safe food and water, and we cannot drink data.
I know this can feel really grim, and believe me, I’m having to deal with the heaviness and hopelessness that looms overhead. But there are a few positives that I do see emerging from this shitstorm of a timeline in history.