Why All Empires Fall

north america / mexico | imperialism / war | opinion / analysis Monday February 18, 2008 02:03 by Vodka - The Capital Terminus Collective, Atlanta, GA USA

And what has been ripping America apart since her birth

For all of you whom are still in denial. May 1st 2007 Iranian workers were attacked by police. Workers at a government sponsored May Day celebration took over, and started a 7000 strong spontaneous march through Tehran. Police and security forces closed off roads and beat many organizers and participants. May 1st 2007 Los Angeles police attacked the lawfully permitted May Day march and rally in Macarthur Park. A large rally numbering in the tens of thousands was driven from the park and the streets around the park. Families with young children were forced to flee as the police fired hundreds of rounds of rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd. Police drove motorcycles into the head of the march as those on foot began to beat celebrants with batons. We can no longer distinguish between the alleged enemies of American freedom and the actual enemies to Americans. There is no doubt that a country that cannot give constitutional liberties to its own citizens should not wage wars abroad under the guise of giving other citizens of another country freedom and democracy.

For all of you whom still have the wool wrapped tightly around your eyes. The Iranian government imprisons and sentences to death people with "homosexual tendencies." In America the state of New York imprisons a lesbian woman for defending herself against a larger and stronger male attacker. In former Saddam ruled Iraq Kurdish citizens disappeared only to be found in mass graves. Meanwhile in the United States over 2,000 American citizens have been detained since 9/11 because of their Muslim faith, in a nation where freedom of religion is a basic right. In Afghanistan women still fight for equality in all aspects of life in the new so-called democracy. In Jena, Louisiana two black youth defend themselves against a shotgun wielding attacker only to be charged with assault and theft after taking the shotgun away from their white attacker. When there is no equality or justice of law then our righteous wars abroad in the name of freedom are shown to be a farce. And America is no more united as a nation with each other than we are with the lands we occupy with our war machines.

And it is this inability of nations and of empires to make accommodations to include all members of its society on an even and fair plane that is the ultimate downfall of every nation no matter how democratic it will claim to be. When nations are formed around structures and hierarchies that are inherently exclusive to the majority with the sharing of actual responsibility and resources than unnecessary class divisions are automatically created and empowerment is not felt by the average citizen. One glance at the Declaration of Independence would reveal no women, no free blacks, certainly no black slaves or white indentured servants, no "Native Americans" or other indigenous peoples of the New Land to be signers of the most important document in human history. Rather it does reveal that all signers were in fact born of the upper class, were in fact landowners, were in fact slave owners and were in fact entrepreneurs. And they wrote a constitution from the perspective of an elitist white male class and barely a token of regard given to underclass white male who would enforce the rule.

Everywhere across America we see the result of this exclusive arrangement that has bred hate, distrust and division within allegedly the most democratic country of all. It plays out in Jena, Louisiana where Apartheid rule is a reality to the city's black population. We see it in our Latin America immigrant communities where labor rights are ignored and hate speech is sponsored by elected officials. And fueled by Capitalism the chasms that divide grow larger and we become mired in a deeper darkness of isolated exclusiveness. Even so far as within the same races this exclusiveness is found such as the white female executive who hits the glass ceiling. The exploitation of sexism in music lyrics and rap music is not the only culprit. From country to alternative rock sexism feeds record sells. This exclusion permeates every single aspect of our so-called democratic culture and has become so engrained that we accept it as a fact of life and not a consequence of death. America can no longer survive on its current path of exclusion. The illusions of an all inclusive democracy are flickering out. The prospects of the riches to be had to maintain this Capitalist illusion are waning for the common person whom wishes to remain a person with a consciousness of humanity. The mantra of, "If I only tried harder," can no longer keep in check the vast majority who will never be treated as equals in their own communities, in their workplaces or in any government system they find themselves in. The exclusiveness that was born into the very doctrines of the American foundation has bred apathy for America's future. For the vast majority of Americans quality of life is declining at a more rapid pace than ever before even though the resources to stem this decline are present those that control them see no economic incentive to Fortune 500 portfolios to be so inclined to do anything about it except blame the condition on the poor themselves and with a, "Work harder" they turn backs to make more profits at the expense of the poor and the exploitation of the so-called middle class.

The things you point to saying, 'But they are the best in the world," have no consequences to a grower number of people whom are excluded from their use or from having an equal voice in them. What does the best medical care in the world mean if one cannot afford it? What does having the best economic system mean to those whom are exploited by and then driven into the streets? What does having the best educational systems mean if the cost is too high to attend? Or the admissions to them are downright classist, sexist and racist? What does having the best military mean if our rights truly are not protected? Does it matter truly who our oppressors are at this point? They mean nothing to us. They only mean further exclusion with a brutal force to maintain that exclusion. America is not only divided in politics, it is not only divided over an unjust war that only highlights the glaring inequalities within our own borders but America is and always was many splinters and fragments of divisions that await to explode from the anger of frustration that such rabid exclusiveness has wrought. And none of the King's army can keep this humpty dumpty from falling apart.

The irony is it is the use of the military to impose Capitalistic expansion into other cultures of the world that have hastened the collapse of America as much of the resources of this country are being squandered in the most illogical military adventure of the modern era that has become a complete and utter failure. Such ludicrous undertakings have shown not a few chinks in the underbelly of the armor but in fact there is no armor at all. That when it all comes right down to it all the military might is only good at blowing things up from as far away as possible. That once on the ground it becomes absolutely useless. And in doing so have exposed a deadly weakness to the most "invincible army in the world." It is no longer a wonder that Iran openly says, "Fuck you America." It is no wonder that is why the U.S. military has absolutely no influence whatsoever and why Iraqi Security Forces are not ready to assume command four years later. No wonder why the Taliban has made resurgence even in Afghanistan. It has been proven that America can be beaten. Little wonder recruitment for the military is at an all-time low: who wants to join a losing team in a culture that instills winning is the only way. Our servicemen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan maimed for life have faired only slightly better than the dogs Michael Vick executed for losing a fight. The government has treated them like another burden to the welfare state.

It is no coincidence that the clamor for change during the 60's and 70's coincided with two major military setbacks, Vietnam and Korea, and the elite know that the impending defeats in both Iraq and Afghanistan will make the civil rights movement look like a high school debate. Mass mobilization is already occurring on many fronts. The anger is swelling and one misstep by an administration that has a habit of making miscues for the past eight years will ignite America through another revolutionary phase. There's a saying left over from the 60's, "The revolution is waiting for a spark" We must understand that the match itself has always been lit, as revolution itself is eternal. The system takes that much for granted, as it does its people. When it shows arrogant indifference to the people is when the match strikes the gasoline. We, my friends, are about to live through some very extraordinary times. Are you ready to be included in history?

From the pages of Anarchist Atlanta #7, currently being distributed.

http://nefac.net/~ctc/pdf/AnarchistAtlanta7.pdf