The Death of Marat.
After watching a particularly well-made documentary on the French Revolution last night, I am left wondering what would it take for Americans to rise up in such force, with such ferocity, and assert themselves in so decisive a manner. Ultimately the comparison is flawed, as it was not abstract political ideology or even its practical application that fueled the French to revolt; it was bread prices. The French people simply could not afford to eat. The vast majority of Americans can, though hardly the fare of kings.
Yet, this morning, I heard reports that the CEO of Tyco is going on trial (again) for stealing millions from the corporation. The reports of expensive toga parties and gold-threaded shower curtains are well chronicled. Yet, there is no rage among Americans. No seething hatred of these corporate tyrants who reinforce hierarchy through economic privilege and corporate loopholing. Where is the guillotine for L. Dennis Kozlowski? Where is the dank prison to house his Marie Antoinette, Karen? The two are photographed walking to his trial not in shackles, but in smart looking overcoats, faces beaming with pride, unrepentant. I'm sure that much like the French royalty, they somehow believe that they "deserved" to live so well, and this trial is merely a manifestation of unfounded jealousy by the lower sorts.
Yet, we toil in the fields while the corporate oligarchy parade around their American Versailles with unparalleled splendor. We watch them on television in deferential respect. Cable networks like E! and The Travel Channel make careers of chronicling the decadence that they enjoy daily which we could never afford after a lifetime of saving. They spend our money. It is our taxes that rise to meet their increased cessions by politicos who are proud to keep corporations in town to show how they can "keep jobs" in the community. They would as soon make us slaves, and many Americans would as soon let them, judging by last November's election.
Maybe Americans have sold their dignity for an extra fifty-cents an hour. Maybe the American oligarchy has figured out the Roman imperial maxim of "bread and circuses." Keep us fat and entertained, and offer up an occasional show trial to appease the malcontents, and they can keep on consolidating wealth and power at our expense. Judging by the lack of heads fixed on pikes, it seems to be a winning formula.
Yet, this morning, I heard reports that the CEO of Tyco is going on trial (again) for stealing millions from the corporation. The reports of expensive toga parties and gold-threaded shower curtains are well chronicled. Yet, there is no rage among Americans. No seething hatred of these corporate tyrants who reinforce hierarchy through economic privilege and corporate loopholing. Where is the guillotine for L. Dennis Kozlowski? Where is the dank prison to house his Marie Antoinette, Karen? The two are photographed walking to his trial not in shackles, but in smart looking overcoats, faces beaming with pride, unrepentant. I'm sure that much like the French royalty, they somehow believe that they "deserved" to live so well, and this trial is merely a manifestation of unfounded jealousy by the lower sorts.
Yet, we toil in the fields while the corporate oligarchy parade around their American Versailles with unparalleled splendor. We watch them on television in deferential respect. Cable networks like E! and The Travel Channel make careers of chronicling the decadence that they enjoy daily which we could never afford after a lifetime of saving. They spend our money. It is our taxes that rise to meet their increased cessions by politicos who are proud to keep corporations in town to show how they can "keep jobs" in the community. They would as soon make us slaves, and many Americans would as soon let them, judging by last November's election.
Maybe Americans have sold their dignity for an extra fifty-cents an hour. Maybe the American oligarchy has figured out the Roman imperial maxim of "bread and circuses." Keep us fat and entertained, and offer up an occasional show trial to appease the malcontents, and they can keep on consolidating wealth and power at our expense. Judging by the lack of heads fixed on pikes, it seems to be a winning formula.
posted by MK | 1:49 PM
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