The United States has once again proven itself to be a land of narrow-minded petit bourgeois in thrall to rapacious corporate plutocrats. President Obama has been criticized for his comments on "God and guns" on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, but it does seem that recently adversity has caused a shrinking of the American soul. Cases in point:
- Union Busting
- Yesterday the Wisconsin legislature deprived public employees of their collective bargaining rights under the pretext of balancing the budget. In reality the vote was a naked power grab to prevent employees from having a voice in their compensation and working conditions. American business is no doubt well pleased with this initiation of an effort to smash the last vestige of the labor movement.
- Muslim Baiting
- The egregious Rep. Peter King, an avowed IRA terrorist sympathizer, held hearings on a non-existent alleged threat from American Muslims in a transparent attempt to pander to American bigots.
- Gay Rights Denied
- Today, the Maryland legislature defeated a bill to provide for gay marriage in Maryland. The hypocrisy of straight people who can't keep their own marriages together denying gays the right to marry in the name of the "defense of marriage" is nauseating.
Americans have an insufferable tendency to preen themselves on their tolerance, openness, and freedom, and some even go so far as to preach a doctrine of American "exceptionalism," as though we were somehow better than other people. Yet we allow the brave citizens of the Arab world to twist in the wind as they seek to escape their oppressive masters. This country talks a good game, but sometimes it seems that the only value to which we are truly committed is profit.