You don’t have to choose sides. That is what they want us to think, but it’s not true. You can have any values that you want to have, conservative, liberal, both, neither. The system is fucking with you.
In the style of bell hooks, I would like to reframe this message by acknowledging the complexities of our current political and economic systems and the way they are impacting our society. It is not as simple as choosing one side or the other; this is exactly what the powers that be want us to believe.
We have the right to hold any values that align with our beliefs, whether that be conservative, liberal, or a combination of both. However, we must understand that the system is using us as mere pawns in their divisive game, where the more they divide us, the less chance we have of taking down their oppressive rule.
It is crucial to understand that our country is being run by elites, individuals who have attained a great deal of power and status, and yet, studies show that the more power and status one gains, the less empathy and perspective they have. It is not a matter of
Republicans wanting to make the rich richer or Democrats wanting to heavily tax the middle class, it is a game to them and they have no understanding or interest in the realities of the working class.
The powers that be lack the ability to understand the world from our perspectives and they don’t care to. All they seek is to maintain their elite status, and in doing so, they are perpetuating the oppression of the masses.
The toxic nature of this system results in depression and other forms of trauma, but instead of addressing the root cause of these issues, the system makes us believe that there is something inherently wrong with us. We are made to believe that our normal coping mechanisms are dysfunctional, when in reality, they are simply responses to the systemic oppression we face every day.
It is imperative to understand that the system profits from our oppression. They literally sell us toxic coping strategies, such as alcohol and drugs, and even the most harmful substance, alcohol, is readily available and legal, because it keeps us from speaking out against the truth.
Capitalism, as it is designed, perpetuates inequality and oppresses the working class. It values money, power, and greed above all else, at the cost of human qualities such as empathy, dignity, and autonomy. The elites are trapped in this distorted world, devoid of any humanity, and it is only a matter of time before capitalism crumbles.
It is important to note that who we vote for may not have a significant impact on the outcome, as the far right is disillusioned and fiercely dedicated to maintaining the system that is hurting them, while the far left is preoccupied with moral battles and identity politics, with little focus on the bigger picture.
The issues in our country and the world are far more complex than we can imagine, and the elites are aware of this. They are working to protect themselves, while we are left to suffer. This is a warning, let us not be caught off guard.