Larisa Alexandrovna of Raw Story has a really depressing piece on Alternet today. Basically, she’s saying what the rest of us are thinking: What won’t they do to stay in power?
I know all the arguments. God knows, I’ve been immersed in this stuff for years now. But it’s the wrong fucking question.
We should be asking, “What are we willing to do to stop them – and how?”
We already have the power to stop them.
It’s maddening to me, how people are all too ready to curl up into the fetal position and let these bastards continue to rape our democracy. And make no mistake: They will have their way with us, at least for a while, if you’re willing to let them.
You shouldn’t be depressed. You should be angry. Angry at what they’ve done to our country – and ready to fight for it.
What are we going to do if they steal the election? We’re going to fight them.
The thing is, until now, they’ve gotten away with this shit because they’re more dedicated than we are. Yeah, they’re bastards, but give them this: They’re playing hard for all the marbles, and we always let them get away with it. We were more interested in watching TV, decorating the house and playing with our iPods. It was easier not to let ourselves see the inevitable march toward tyranny.
If – when – they attempt to steal this election, they can only get away with it if you let them. That’s right, you. The most important part of We, the People is you.
“But I can’t go to a demonstration, the kids have soccer!”
You know what? If, in the relative scheme of things, your kid’s soccer game is a higher priority than his freedom, you have the wrong priorities.
“I can’t take off from work, I only have one personal day left!”
If a day’s pay is more important than our democracy, you have the wrong priorities.
“I don’t want to stand outside in the rain all night. And besides, it’s cold.”
You know what? You’d stand out in the rain all night for Super Bowl tickets, or Springsteen tickets, or to get the latest mass-produced piece of crap your child absolutely must have for Christmas. So don’t tell me you can’t take part in saving our democracy.
If you tell me that, I’ll tell you this: You have the wrong priorities.
I’m sick of the lack of backbone and dedication to the cause of our democracy. If you were willing to work one-tenth as hard at protecting our liberty as these bastards are at destroying it, I wouldn’t be writing this now.
If these pricks steal this election, and you don’t swarm every place that’s connected to the theft – the election bureaus, the newspapers and TV stations, your congressman’s office – if you don’t stand up to be counted for democracy, then just shut up and resign yourself to being a good little cog in a fascist state for the rest of your life.
That’s what they’re counting on.
But hey, at least you’ll have your iPod.
