The palliative lie we've been fed by our overlords in this latest round of class war is that the economic collapse was organic, and the merciless budget cuts and other austerity measures are the unfortunate but necessary consequence. Wrong on both counts, of course, but how frustrating a thing it is to try to convince people of this obvious truth. The essential bit of state mischief which holds us back is the canard that the government can be trusted, and acts in the best interest of the people. And whenever it fails it is because of incompetence or adverse circumstance. The basic fact of our existence--that we are divided into classes whose interests are irreconcilably antithetical--is absurdly difficult to demonstrate to the average American. Simply trying to present the facts is futile when the they are denied by government, ignored or obstructed by media, and marginalized to the point of fetish by the anodyne mythologies presented as history in schools. In my case, I regret to say, I've more often succeeded in making myself quite unpopular than in liberating people from their state-sponsored delusions. A few victories, but many more defeats...so far.
So why is it that people find it so hard to believe that what is happening is what was intended? It starts in the education system, where we are taught what for the ruling class are indispensable fictions: The US is a democracy; its government is altruistic; it is spreading democracy around the globe through a benevolent foreign policy; it is keeping us safe in a dangerous world from those who would do us great harm. Starting at the tender age of six, American children are taught to be credulous and compliant, and, most importantly, docile.
George Carlin agrees. Wisconsin teachers and students are interviewed in the second video. I found it quite affecting. Both videos are.
