Where are we headed?

[GoodWitch58]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/opinion/12herbert.html?_r=1&hp

As the throngs celebrated in Cairo, I couldn?t help wondering about what is happening to democracy here in the United States. I think it?s on the ropes. We?re in serious danger of becoming a democracy in name only.
While millions of ordinary Americans are struggling with unemployment and declining standards of living, the levers of real power have been all but completely commandeered by the financial and corporate elite. It doesn?t really matter what ordinary people want. The wealthy call the tune, and the politicians dance.

This is what we need to be particularly mindful of as we see what is happening in Florida IMO. It seems the sincere people in the Tea Party are being used by the business and corporate world...the same political methods we've seen played out since the Civil Rights Act was passed.


What I find particularly distressing is the number of young people (they seem to be everywhere in Governor Scott's camp) who are not at all interested in public service for the sake of making a difference and improving the world...they are all about profits and making tons of money--all about themselves...listening to some of them is disheartening to this grandma who grew up with JFK's "ask not."..and MLK's "I have a dream..." as my mantras. I know that all young people are not that way--in fact, I think most are not. There is a real difference in my mind in being successful and earning a good living, and simply focusing on money for money's sake and the rest of the world be damned...that attitude is a path to ruin and this column spells it out so clearly.