3 ms·

Of course, that is the correct answer! But, if you actually want to change the country, you must first go into finance or otherwise accumulate the wealth and i

Of course, that is the correct answer! But, if you actually want to change the country, you must first go into finance or otherwise accumulate the wealth and influence needed to "corrupt" enough legislators into abolishing the current campaign financing and lobbying rules, so that all those whom you exhort might actually have a chance of winning office. Note this also immediately removes your source of power (not something people often do voluntarily). I really don't see an obvious way to change things from within the system. I hope there is, otherwise we get either unending corporate feudalism or revolution.

indigochill 5y ago
And how does one see revolution going against the world's most-funded military (by a long shot) staffed by lifelong professional soldiers wielding an arsenal almost all of which is extremely restricted? I'm not saying revolution would be desirable (heck, I wouldn't have supported the original American revolution - why kill people over taxation?), but the concept of revolution is some weird persistent American fantasy just because it miraculously worked once three centuries ago against an adversary across the ocean during the Age of Sail (and when France immediately tried the same thing, it devastated their country). It doesn't even bear mentioning today. Anyway, undermining corporate feudalism seems more likely. People just have to sacrifice convenience and support ethical small businesses. Corporate behemoths rely on the masses for profitability. Cut that off, and they have no legs to stand on.
- DangitBobby 5y ago
  > And how does one see revolution going against the world's most-funded military (by a long shot) staffed by lifelong professional soldiers wielding an arsenal almost all of which is extremely restricted? The military is made up of citizens who would likely be divided in case of a revolution. And what the last several military involvements have shown, if anything, is that a bunch of motivated amatuers with ready access to guns and extensive knowledge of the terrain can give our elite military serious problems.
- nescioquid 5y ago
  I agree with you about revolution, though things could play out more along the lines of 1989 in Romania or East Germany. At some point, officials quit obeying orders among mass demonstrations. > ...undermining corporate feudalism seems more likely. People just have to sacrifice convenience and support ethical small businesses. I am dubious that we can essentially consume our way out of our political problems.

indigochill 5y ago

And how does one see revolution going against the world's most-funded military (by a long shot) staffed by lifelong professional soldiers wielding an arsenal almost all of which is extremely restricted? I'm not saying revolution would be desirable (heck, I wouldn't have supported the original American revolution - why kill people over taxation?), but the concept of revolution is some weird persistent American fantasy just because it miraculously worked once three centuries ago against an adversary across the ocean during the Age of Sail (and when France immediately tried the same thing, it devastated their country). It doesn't even bear mentioning today. Anyway, undermining corporate feudalism seems more likely. People just have to sacrifice convenience and support ethical small businesses. Corporate behemoths rely on the masses for profitability. Cut that off, and they have no legs to stand on.

DangitBobby 5y ago
> And how does one see revolution going against the world's most-funded military (by a long shot) staffed by lifelong professional soldiers wielding an arsenal almost all of which is extremely restricted? The military is made up of citizens who would likely be divided in case of a revolution. And what the last several military involvements have shown, if anything, is that a bunch of motivated amatuers with ready access to guns and extensive knowledge of the terrain can give our elite military serious problems.
nescioquid 5y ago
I agree with you about revolution, though things could play out more along the lines of 1989 in Romania or East Germany. At some point, officials quit obeying orders among mass demonstrations. > ...undermining corporate feudalism seems more likely. People just have to sacrifice convenience and support ethical small businesses. I am dubious that we can essentially consume our way out of our political problems.