But I do want to add something to what Chris Hedges (I think) said about the fall of the Berlin Wall and changes in Eastern Europe in 1989.
That event did not happen suddenly. Back in the early 1980s, it was evident to those of us who had traveled a bit in Eastern Europe before the late 1970s, early 1980s that things were changing in Eastern Europe. My husband and I lived on the economy in Austria not far from the border with Hungary. I noticed around 1980 that the Austrian and Hungarian governments had come to some sort of agreement that eased travel. Elderly Viennese women occasionally took a train from Vienna to Budapest -- to eat Hungarian cooking. Well worth the price of the train ticket.
If you recall, the futility of the wall in East Germany became evident when many East Germans realized that they could go to Hungary to cross into the West. The East German government realized that the game was up. The wall could not hold back the tide of discontented people leaving East Germeny.
Interestingly, during the Bush administration Homeland Security checkpoints at airports were instituted. Travel is not yet barred and barring travel may never happen to most of us, but the procedures that are in place at airports are an ominous sign. Those procedures could easily be used to hinder the travel of political undesirables. Once we have instituted toll superhighways car travel will involve some sort of identification or payment quite possibly often by credit card at the entrance. We have a system on our trains in Los Angeles that involves paying for a card and then buying trips to put on the card. Many people pay by credit card. While the system is probably not being used now to observe travel patterns, it could very easily be used for it.
Environmental issues also contributed to the changes in Eastern Europe. Prior to 1985, a Hungarian I knew told me that a non-governmental citizens group (the first of that sort she thought) had been formed to respond to certain environmental problems that had developed in Hungary. I believe it had to do with the Balaton Sea. The organization of a non-governmental group to deal with environmental degradation was a big step toward relaxing the rigid Communist political and social structure.
Living in Southern California, watching many, many front yards (including my own) in my working class neighborhood change from grass to succulents and native plants, I think that we will see drastic change due to changes in our environment.
The verdict is not entirely in as to whether the drought in California is due to climate change or is simply a repeated historical event. We heard a lot about the storms in the East. Obama's new EPA regulations may change things some but they are too little too late. It looks like climate change is inevitable at this point and will mean drastic changes in our country.
Food prices are rising and will rise further if the California Central Valley produces less due to climate change. Fish stocks in the oceans are being reduced by overconsumption, but the warming of the oceans is also contributing to the decline in the availability of edible ocean fish and the deterioration of ocean life in general. We could easily have food shortages. Hopefully that will not happen in the near future. That could push food and other prices up and bring rapid social changes.
I know that Marie Antoinette never said, "Let them eat cake," but isn't that pretty much what the Republicans said when they insisted on cutting food stamps?
I believe that the American military, especially the national guard which is fairly integrated into the military now, is aware of these potential threats to our society. The military is the part of our system that brings aid to Americans in emergencies. Flood, fire and other emergency relief are commonly provided by the federal government. The need for emergency relief could increase as the country suffers floods and drought due to climate change.
The Republicans are foolishly trying to stop the military from preparing to meet the problems that climate change may bring with it. In so doing, they will hasten their own end. It's another way to say, "Let them eat cake." When climate change is so severe that every sane person has to acknowledge its reality, Americans who avoid reality and watch Fox News will turn to find new solutions.
The challenge to liberals is to make sure that when that time comes, we are ready and get our ideas out there. It's our job to persuade Americans and the world that when people work together, we can find the best solutions.
I don't think that American liberals are anywhere near ready to lead during the difficult times that are likely to come. We need to work on educating each other and practice working together. This video will hopefully inspire DUers to take up the lead.
The recent European elections are very troubling. When the liberals fail, people turn to the right. That can be dangerous for everyone.
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