28 June, 2012

Where's my Democracy?








       Does anyone see what is going on here? The fundamentals of our very democracy are eroding right in front of us. Slowly our basic human rights- access to our government, political mobility, our very essential right to vote is being taken away by the very forces that benefit off the suppression of the common person.
      Since Obama's election in 2008, conservatives, Republicans, special interest groups and corporations have done all they can in their power to assure another 'Washington outsider' (aka individual minded person) can never have the power to take away their power. Those who seek to exploit the many for the benefit of a few are threatened by the very idea of the people electing leaders who do not serve their interests.
      This is all being done in independent, but by no means unrelated means.
      For example, Governor Walker in Wisconsin's attempts to effectively strip Unions of their collective bargaining rights is an attempt to deconstruct the very fabric of the working class, limiting their ability to make an affordable wage. In turn leaving worker's helpless to decide their own economic fates
      This has lowered the standard of living for Union members and workers across the country. Once the wages for Union workers are lowered, the market responds appropriately. Private employers no longer have to compete with the fair wages Unions offer, thereafter they lower the wages of their own workers. This spiral down of wages decreases the livelihoods of millions around the country.
      This growing inequality in America has been rising rapidly to the point where political cynicism runs rampant. Due to this new economic form of enslavement, people feel powerless to affect change even in their own workplace, let alone their own government. It has disillusioned millions across the country, as their will to vote has been undermined by their perceived inability to compete with the economic powerhouses who currently control our system. 
      The necessity of economic power has become so essential in today's politics, it is disturbing. A dollar is the new vote and the value of that vote has been steadily rising.
      With the Citizens United decision, unlimited and undisclosed campaign donations can be made by corporations and even foreign entities. This in turn blurs out any chance of a common person effecting change from their elected leader, as now even the most well intentioned of officials have to compete with this wave of cash polluting the political arena and instead they ignore the needs of their community. It's hard to see the masses over that large pile of money on top of your desk.
      We now live in a system where two individuals, the Koch brothers, are legally allowed to donate over $400 million dollars to an election campaign. That's $400,000,000. That's more money than most of us could ever hope to see in our lives, yet is the price these power hungry fat cats are willing to pay to silence our voices in favor of theirs.
      These two scenarios combined are a vicious cycle. By lowering wages, workers have less to spend, meaning less economic mobility, meaning less time, less resources. Less purchasing power, less opportunity to compete with the wealthy who buy off our politicians. By permitting the exorbitant expenditures by corporations to politicians, we have effectively said "your vote is no longer valid, please pay for your ballot here".
      Meanwhile Voter ID restrictions are being passed in multiple states, disenfranchising lower income families. The only legal way to vote in some of these states is to present a valid driver's license. There are millions of people in this country who do not drive, let alone can even afford to buy a license. These potential voters are being suppressed, providing only more power for the wealthy to pick and choose their candidates.
      Overall this is an extremely troubling phenomenon. This increasing trend of concentrating wealth to the top, has in turn concentrated political power to the top. It is a frightening day when a man like Sheldon Adelson, a virtually unknown billionaire, is able to donate, by himself, $100 million dollars to a candidate. It feels like we are living in the early 20th century America, with Tammany Hall and the political machines that dominated American politics.
      It's come to a point where President Obama, who had denied funding from corporations in his 2008 campaign for President, has resorted to despicable means just to simply stay alive financially against his pro business opponent. President Obama has attended more fundraisers this year alone than President Bush did in his entire time in office.
      Since the Democratic Party has vowed to take the moral high ground and reject any private donations from corporations, the party has been reduced to begging for donations from the public. Even in such degrading and humiliating ways, like having to ask couples who are getting married to instead of asking their wedding guests for presents, re route that money as campaign donations to Obama's re-election staff.
      These factors have created a perfect storm. A decrease in income for all, an increase in political mobility for a few and restrictions in voting access for many has diluted our democracy to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people... who can afford it.
      This election has very serious consequences. It has underlying implications that can echo for generations. It's a choice to decide what kind of country we are. The choice between the powerful, the wealthy, the elite, and the choice between the people, the workers and the common man.
      This is what it has come down to. We must decide that enough is enough and we have to let our voices be heard, because if we don't our right to our voices will be taken away forever. We must let those in power know that what they are doing is wrong and that we can not accept it. A democracy is only as effective as it's people demand it to be. And for that, I say we demand much more.

20 June, 2012

Who is Anonymous?



Who is Anonymous? A product of the new world order. A world in which societies, culture, technology, communications, governments, businesses and all alike are so highly interconnected and dependent on one another that the balance of power has shifted drastically. In such an age, the decentralization of power among nations has declined, in turn bringing rise to global social movements.

Anonymous, a phenomenon within and of itself, is a highly decentralized global network of online "Hacktivists" which have taken the globe by storm. These vigilantes have perpetrated dozens of high profile attacks on governments, corporations and individuals alike. The group seeks to eliminate social injustices and level the playing field for those who are disenfranchised by the current power play system that dominates our politics.

This group, facilitated by instantaneous communication, is made up of rogue, independent actors from all corners of the world, each with various goals in mind. They claim to represent all of mankind and to preserve basic human rights that have been abused. This organization with its efficiency and unstated agenda, has struck fear into the hearts of those with power. Those who seek to exploit, abuse power, and corrupt governments around the world have met their match.

Their moral righteousness, quest for justice and thirst for fairness have led them to disrupt the activities of many of these unethical organizations.

Lockheed Martin, one of the world's largest private security contracting firms, was a victim of Anonymous after their private donations account was hacked, in which millions of dollars were stolen and redirected to various charities.
After PayPal cut services to Wikileaks in lieu of Julian Assange's arrest, Anonymous responded quickly by bringing down PayPal's servers, disrupting it's business and costing it millions.
After the introduction of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) by the U.S. government in 2011, Anonymous almost literally blew up the websites of the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, Universal Music Group, the Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture Association of America and Warner Music Group, among others.
Figure 1 (Click to Enlarge)

It doesn't stop there- individual targets have been chosen as well.

Current ruler Bashar Al-Assad of Syria was one of many victims, as his personal e-mails were distributed publically throughout the web.
The C.E.O. of HBGary Federal, another infamous security firm, was a victim after Anonymous hacked it's webpage and replaced the website's main image with a message of it's own (see Figure 1).

Their mission of defending freedom of speech and internet liberty has placed them on the red list of many countries around the world. Their tactics represent the necessary methods in which to combat those that seek to oppress such basic fundamental rights as free speech and peace. Through clever and ingenious ways, Anonymous has assembled some of the brightest minds around the world, albeit anonymously, to further the cause of social justice and freedom for all.

This truly global social movement is one that deserves much needed respect. For all of us little people out there the idea of battling these overwhelmingly powerful forces on our own seems futile. Even while peaceful protest and assembly have proven fruitful and effective, these forms of conscientious objection have also been met with oppression and censorship.

That's where Anonymous comes in. They do what we can't- strike at the heart of the oppressors. While we march around in the streets demanding rights, the powerful sit in their high rise buildings looking down upon us from their proverbial thrones made of money and influence. This has changed after Anonymous has penetrated the financial workings of these power mongers, making their actions more costly than profitable.

While our political mobility may be limited to influence legislators, Anonymous has the resources and expertise to carry out those goals of change and progress. We as individuals are anonymous as our value as people and individuals have been thrown to the waste side in favor of those with the finances to bankroll new elections for corrupt politicians.

While these shadowy, influential and powerful entities are able to influence lawmakers to do their bidding, a similar, shadowy, influential, and powerful entity is one step ahead of them; Anonymous. The only difference is, the latter seek to defend the rights of the powerless, the voiceless, and the disenfranchised.

So next time you ask yourself "Who is Anonymous?", just remember; each and everyone of us is Anonymous.