Feudal America

As law enforcement officials confiscate affordable prescription drugs imported from Canada in order to protect the interests of American drug companies, I am reminded of prohibitions from the Middle Ages.
     Back then (like now?), the rich aristocracy, completely dependent on commoners for their wealth and privileges, did everything they could to perpetuate their caste. Not identifying themselves with common people, who were by far the majority, they imposed vicious laws to limit and control them for the sake of a small, wealthy elite. They were not allowed to cut down trees for fuel, but were told to gather fallen branches instead. Another law prevented them from hunting deer, so that the aristocracy might enjoy more abundant sport. (Shooting helpless quail seems the more the sport of our fearless leaders today—killing, just for the thrill of killing.)
     It's become clear that a class division is growing in the United States. This is by no means accidental. The wealthy and powerful make sure that their privileges are not effected by the good of the majority. Not only do they confiscate prescription drugs, they use tax money to subsidize drug companies, and highly profitable oil companies. We are not only prohibited from reasonable costs, we are robbed by those same companies through our tax dollars at the same time. The Medicare prescription supplement is as much a windfall to the rich, who do not need it, as it helps the poor, who do.
     As in feudal times, we go to war to promote economic advantages, as if our wealth and position in the world were not sufficient enough already. The loss of innocent lives, though regrettable, is written off as collateral damage. We predominantly send the sons and daughters of commoners to do the fighting and bear the cost—while corporations reap the profits.
     We see our new aristocracy embrace a new kind of religion, a Christianity that blesses the rich and encourages aggression and self-righteousness.
     We see a presidency bent on reducing the power of the other two, supposedly equal, branches of government. I am reminded of kings of old, politicking to subdue powerful barons. Is the president above the law, as his courtly defenders suggest? Can he be held accountable for an unjust war and the thousands of lives that were lost?
     We hear of secrecy whose sole purpose is to keep the people ignorant of how our leaders manipulate programs and nations for the benefit of the few, at the expense of the many.
     Our leaders feel confident in doing all this. They firmly believe that the majority of citizens are too lazy and apathetic to care. We need to ask ourselves if their assumption is true. Has America lost its will to govern itself, and therefore willingly allows these power-grabs and abuses of democracy? Perhaps we need a new Magna Carta from the people to supplement our Constitution.
     If you want to get involved, see Citizen Declaration (Word Document) to help you get started.

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