with or against us, and what "change" candidates?

you are either with us or against us...apparently it applies to artificial borders concocted by scheming men and tribal warfare...apparently it applies to fighting a war against a tactic (as long as we are at war with terrorism...how about we go to war with frontal assaults and trench warfare...sounds rather ridiculous when you substitute another tactic doesn't it?)...my question, why does it never apply to class? why are we so afraid to talk about class in a society that is so clearly divided between the haves and the have nots? don't get me wrong...I know why they don't want us to talk about it...why they are so quick to pull out "class warfare" as if being on the side of the downtrodden is something no self-respecting politician would ever stoop so low as to be a part of (unless of course that politician was jesus of nazareth...but ignore the true teachings of the religion they claim to adhere to please, it only causes trouble when you think for yourself). but why do we listen to them? class is the single most important aspect of our lives. look around yourself...more than anything else, your life is determined by your class. social mobility? please...it has long gone the way of the dinosaur. hard work to get ahead? the people that work three jobs are just one sick day away from being evicted. think you're middle class? what does that even mean anymore? you still are living paycheck to paycheck, trying desperately to stay out of the poor house and wondering how you are supposed to afford insurance for all the things that every other civilized nation provides for its people. want to have a say in anything? want to be listened to by your leaders? want the media to pay attention to you? sure hope you exist in the upper echelon.

we now have perpetual campaigning by useless hacks parading around in populist clothing. yet none of them ever dare to speak of class and its relationship to the rather bleak reality of america today. you are either with us or against us...so next time a politician gives you some bullshit about how he feels your pain ask yourself this - if the shit hit the fan, would they side with the wealthy, with corporate power, with money...or with you?

which brings up my next rant...caught some crap on charlie rose last night from some wannabe journalist (there really aren't many left anymore) from the times about how the democratic frontrunners are "change" candidates. and I wonder...change from what? don't get me wrong, I think it is an embarassment that we have not had a woman or a racial minority in the white house yet...but if that is all it takes to qualify as a "change" candidate, then Big Business has done a better job of taking over our lives and our politics than I ever thought. are any of them questioning whether "globalization" is such a great thing? are any of them not supporting monied interests? are any of them not overly militaristic? (when they try to be peace candidates, listen closely...none are questioning the wisdom of a gigantic standing army in a "democratic" nation, none are pointing out the danger in military values overtaking society. none are even questioning the wisdom of going to war...just going to one particular war in this particular way). are any of them serious about cleaning up the way politics are run in washington? (look at their fundraising activities...and ask yourself, if it comes down to it, who will win on an issue...money, or regular joes like you?) the answer is no...it is the same old crap without a penis or white skin. we're fucked.

it's a war on war...you're gonna lose...