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Originally posted by yankeerose
Wow... the first three things I would do is...
1. Let the American people know that this is their country and that we can clean all this crap up and come clean with our citizens, and the world... of all the dirty operations we have been involved in... Black Op's, CIA, running drugs to our inner cities to keep the poor down, manipulation of other countries, pollution.... all the crap that has been done in our name but without our knowledge or consent. Any big corporations that have profited off the slaughter of innocents by direct involvement in illegal programs, would have their assets frozen, and be charged with crimes against humanity unless they come clean and offer to make reparations to those affected by their crimes.
2. I would let the world know that we may have lost our way, and we are going to busy cleaning house... but in no way should any enemy of America or freedom think that we are going to put up with any crap from them either here at home, or any country whose people want freedom. I would make sure that our law enforcement/military leaders know that I expect them to defend America and it's citizens from factions within our government that seek to destroy the Constitution and enslave her citizens. I would also make sure that military personnel are given a pay raise large enough to lift them above poverty level. And that the VA be fully funded to care for those who have bore the burden of battle.
3. I would tell the people that together we can once again be the beacon of freedom and truth in this world. That will will work to solve our energy, education, scientific, health care, poverty, and basic human rights issues that have turned us against one another. And that once we have the answers and programs that work here, we will help any country or people to also break their chains, and ask them to join with us in a new future for mankind and mother earth.
We are a good, strong, proud people who have received many blessings from God. To those who have been given so much, much is expected in return. We owe it to our forefathers, veterans, educators... to pick up this burden that has been laid at our feet. We will overcome, adapt, and prevail against the darkness that seeks to enslave us. I would ask the countries of Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Russia and Australia to help us to heal the world. I would ensure that the people of Iraq and Afghanistan be protected and allowed to prosper and grow until they can protect themselves.
And I would legalize pot!
Then I'd try and get a good night's sleep and wake up, roll up my sleeves, and get to work all over again.
Saw an excerpt of this JFK speech while watching Zeitgeist for the first time today. Had to look up the full speech. Then noticed the thread here. So just had to share...You have to ask yourself how far has America/The western world fallen from the path set out in this speech?
[edit on 12/2/08 by CthulhuRising]
In section six, they come up with options that can replace war. They have two criteria: they must be wasteful, and must operate outside the normal supply and demand system.
And that brings us to the golden arrow of consumption
This is the heart of the system, the engine that drives it. It is so important [to propping up this whole flawed system] that protecting this arrow is a top priority for both [the government and corporations].
That is why, after 9/11, when our country was in shock, President Bush could have suggested any number of appropriate things: to grieve, to pray, to hope. NO. He said to shop. TO SHOP?!
We have become a nation of consumers. Our primary identity has become that of consumer, not mothers, teachers, farmers, but consumers. The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume. And do we!
We shop and shop and shop. Keep the materials flowing.
And flow they do!
Guess what percentage of total material flow through this system is still in product or use 6 months after their sale in North America. Fifty percent? Twenty? NO. One percent. One! In other words, 99 percent of the stuff we harvest, mine, process, transport—99 percent of the stuff we run through this
system is trashed within 6 months. Now how can we run a planet with that rate of materials throughput?
It wasn’t always like this. The average U.S. person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago.45 Ask your grandma. In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.
So, how did this happen?
Well, it didn’t just happen. It was designed. Shortly after the World War 2, these guys were figuring out how to ramp up the [U.S.] economy. Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system. He said: “Our enormously productive economy... demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our
ego satisfaction, in consumption... we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”
And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”
MORE CONSUMER GOODS??? Our [economy’s] ultimate purpose?
Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice? Consumer goods?
How did they get us to jump on board this program so enthusiastically?
Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence...
Originally posted by sizzle
reply to post by Buck Division
Can you provide resources or links?