So here we are in the year 2012, the year in which many believe the world, as we know it, will end. Some think it will end with chaos and catastrophe. Others believe that a new flowering of spiritual consciousness will result in an emergent evolution that will transform life for the better. I have a friend who believes beings from the outer regions of space will intervene and set things right. I have other friends who believe that God will reach up from inner space to either eradicate or transform our woe-filled planet.
Recently I read a finance article with one author asserting that it was “game-on” and a return to prosperity, a growing market and lower unemployment. Another author challenged with a “game-over” scenario as markets collapse under the weight of an utterly corrupt system of militarized crony capitalism.
Even within our military imperialism there are contrary views. On the one hand the troops have been pulled from Iraq. But unfortunately, those troops are being reassigned to intimidate and perhaps war against Iran. We’re also building up military forces in Southeast Asia as a sign of aggression against China. Robotic drone warfare continues to grow in influence, our relationship with Pakistan continues to deteriorate, and our willingness to accept the homeland dismantling of our civil liberties continues to escalate.
In an act of treason, Congress recently passed laws allowing the military to perceive American soil as a battlefield and American citizens as enemy combatants who can be imprisoned without trial. The power of the presidency has increased as we move inevitably towards the fascism of a military dictatorship, perfectly integrating the military, markets, media and government. Our original sins have come home: we are all Native Americans now.
Or perhaps Obama’s re-election will put a happy face on 2012? Will we see the populace revolt against Republican austerity and sweep a super majority of Democrats into office? Will we see a transformation of such Democrats into a pro-labor, pro-environment, pro-people movement that will break up the banks, reduce the military, reign in the police, impose regulations on business and re-direct financial assets to the 99 percent while jailing the 1 percent?
Put in such terms, one’s head can only slump downward into despair without any hope in the Democratic party. So, as a people without political hope, I ask, how then shall we live in 2012?
The Occupy movement has given us an example of hope. But we’ll need to evolve it into a movement that can re-construct society.
It is not enough to deconstruct that which is wrong. We will need to create examples of sustainability that demonstrate what is right. How we re-construct our institutions and values will determine the fate and future of our people in 2012.