U.S.A.: The New Banana Republic?

Banana republic is a pejorative term for a small, often Latin American or Caribbean country, politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture, and ruled by a small, wealthy and corrupt clique.

- Wikipedia

Although the US is not a small country, it's government is currently ruled by a small, wealthy and corrupt clique. The government makes decisions based on what's good for corporations and not what's good for the common citizen. The citizens have the illusion of a democracy yet only 50% of voters actually vote. That means, in order to rule this land, the president only needs the support of 25.1% of the voters!

The voice of an indifferent populace is lost because of the persistent presence of well funded corporate lobbyist. These lobbyists don't fight for the welfare of the people; they are driven by maximization of profits. From their point of view, they are only doing the job that was taught to them and reinforced by the risk-reward pulse of a consumer driven society.

It's obvious that it is easy to control someone who is poor. But it is equally easy to control someone who is wealthy but not satisfied. The common factor is the fact that both are desperate.

Desperation put's one's morality and common sense for the common good into a place farthest from the heart. Decisions are made out of what's best for me and my current loved ones right now and not for what's best for everyone.

Thinking and doing things for everyone else is not rewarded because it goes against the logic of accumulation which is the driving force behind consumerism. When one is not tempered by morality, it is very easy to accumulate wealth and power in a short amount of time. America's leaders should look into the echoes of the consequences of their actions not from the success stories of a handful of its citizens but rather, they need to contemplate the average indifferent citizen who goes on living a carefree life in pursuit of happiness without knowing the underlying support system that allows such extravagance.

But that is too much to think about!

That's the majority of the responses that I get when I start talking about the big picture. Well, that's exactly why we don't understand why there's a lot of hatred towards America. This is usually the time when I bring out a metaphore. Remember in high school when you see the rich kids walk around and there's a sense of jealousy that fills the room?

Guess who the rich kids are in the big picture?

But I'm on a tangent. I'm observing the recent revealed illegal actions of our government (breach of privacy, support for torture, accepting bribes from business) and it's the same historical data of the famous banana republics of the past.

When will the 74% demand democracy?
What will wake them up?
Where will it begin?
How will the rest of the world respond?

-Joseph