Reply #17: The answer lies in the future; we cannot and should not ever go back.

[tomorrowsashes]

I had an argument with somebody a while back about the use of the word patriotism. I was arguing that it was a meaningless word thrown around by just about everybody who had no real points to make, while the person I was arguing with insisted that this country was based on the principles of freedom. I pointed out that slavery was written into the constitution and that initially, only the rich, white, male property owners had a say, and that many of the original "patriots" supported the establishment of a monarchy in the US. My opponent just kinda sputtered, then said that it was okay to use it because right wingers used it all the time. This didn't make any sense to me, and the debate was just left at that.

Anyway, the point is, this country has never stood for freedom. A more accurate statement would be to say that it has always supported colonial imperialism, compassion-less capitalism, and plutocracy. There has always been a huge gap between the haves, and the have-nots. The government of the past is something I never wish to see again.

What I would, however, like to see, is a revitilization of the progressive spirit of the past. The power that the masses have had throughout history, be it the anarchists fighting for an eight hour day, and an end to child labor at the early 1900's, or the hippies showing their solidarity in calls for an end to the Vietnam War. You don't get any of that today. Everybody seems to think that real change will come through the ballot box. This is not what history has shown. Checking a box every four years just doesn't cut it. As Emma Goldman said, if voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal. We have to get out onto the streets, and force those in power to give in to our demands. We need real change.