Progressive Ponderings / Occupying “Access”

03/19/2007

by Joe Mayer March 18, 2007


Noam Chomsky, writing of our educational and media institutions, branded them "the most awesome propaganda system that has ever existed in world history." The belief that our country, the U.S. of A., is a functioning democracy is probably the best example of Chomsky's truthful observation. From childhood through current day, the propaganda/news encourages us to think we are in command with this myth of "we the people." Even as we tenaciously hold to our belief in democracy, we know, deep down, the following to be true:

• Our two-political-party system frequently denies voters a choice not anointed by money.

• Money rather than issues wins the majority of elections.

• Electoral TV advertising – where most campaign money is spent – spotlights shallow issues and most often is misleading.

• "Fair and balanced" news promotes right-wing (elite) positions; other news is "left-wing," "liberal."

• Media owners, part of the wealthy elite, often promote a self-serving agenda.

• American foreign policy, including state terrorism, promotes corporate agendas.

• A foreign policy of imperialism has never been a vocal campaign issue.

• Political speech restricts "morality" to sexual issues; harsh income and wealth differences are not allowed on the agenda.

Confining democracy to periodic elections reinforces the myth of "we the people." While citizens vote every two to fours years, the elite camp in Washington, D.C. makes decisions and writes legislation through lobbyists, many of whom are former political office holders. Government officials and lobbyists both claim that money only buys "access," not votes. Isn't it quaint that "access" continually wins acceptance by the administration and Congress regarding military expenditures, energy rules and subsidies, public airways (TV, radio) monopolies, health care issues, business tax breaks and incentives, ad infinitum.

The good news is that peacemakers are enlisting a new form of "access." Every U.S. House Representative and Senator has at least one office within their districts. These are readily "accessible."

For the past month – February – and current month – March – peace advocates have "occupied these government offices one day a week to demand that further funds for the Iraq War be denied the Bush administration. Although a few arrests have occurred, in most cases meaningful "access" has resulted in effective dialogue with staff and even elected officials.

Although these offices have the names of representatives or Senators on their marquees, they belong to the citizens. Citizens, voters, activists, the disenfranchised, all need to rethink "access." If the elite and the corporations can buy "access" in Washington, we citizens can "occupy access" across the nation.

When letters, e-mails, telephone calls, and faxes are produced en masse regarding an issue, citizens are heard and often effective. Office "occupation" should be the new tool of "access" for those previously denied. Join the peacemakers to occupy our congressional offices for raising issues concerning democracy, peace and justice.