Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums

I want to tell you about Anarchism.

I want to tell you what Anarchism is, because I think it is well you should know it. Also because so little is known about it, and what is known, is generally hearsay and mostly false.

I want to tell you about it, because I believe that Anarchism is the finest and biggest thing man has ever thought of; the only thing that can give you liberty and well-being, and bring peace and joy to the world.

I want to tell you about it in such plain and simple language that there will be no misunderstanding it. Big words and high sounding phrases serve only to confuse. Straight thinking means plain speaking.

But before I tell you what Anarchism is, I want to tell you what it is not…

It is not bombs, disorder, or chaos.
It is not robbery and murder.
It is not a war of each against all.
It is not a return to barbarism or to the wild state of man.

Anarchism is the very opposite of all that.
Anarchism means that you should be free; that no one should enslave you, boss you, rob you, or impose upon you.
It means that you should be free to do the things you want to do; and that you should not be compelled to do what you don't want to do.
It means that you should have a chance to choose the kind of a life you want to live, and live it without anybody interfering.
It means that the next fellow should have the same freedom as you, that every one should have the same rights and liberties.
It means that all men are brothers, and that they should live like brothers, in peace and harmony.

That is to say, that there should be no war, no violence used by one set of men against another, no monopoly and no poverty, no oppression, no taking advantage of your fellow-man.

In short, Anarchism means a condition or society where all men and women are free, and where all enjoy equally the benefits of an ordered and sensible life.

“Can that be?” you ask. “And how?”
“Not before we all become angels,” your friend remarks.

Well, let us talk it over. Maybe I can show you that we can be decent and live as decent folks even without growing wings.

(Alexander Berkman, Now and After: The ABC of Communist Anarchism)

One of my biggest pet peeves is people assuming since I don’t align myself with republican ideals that I'm a democrat. I’d like to set the record straight: I'm not a democrat. I think democrats are just as idiotic and awful politicians as republicans. In the great words of Lewis Black, “Democrats are a party of no ideas and Republicans are a party of bad ideas.” I’ve even become disgusted using the term “liberal” to describe myself anymore because of the lazy, hippy-ish type of people it now refers to.

It is my belief the United States needs to do away with the two party system, or at least incorporate a few more parties into the system. There are great political principles in other parties besides the big two. We need to be more like England or Canada in elections. It would be nice to see an election between more than the two parties who have the most monetary backing. I’m not political science major, but there should be a way to even the playing field; it might be something as simple as limiting the campaign season to one month like England, instead of our year-plus campaign trail.

I was a strong opponent again the “never-truly-elected-president” Bush. In this last election, I was against McCain, but not because he was running on the Republican ticket, but rather because I didn’t agree with a number of his policies. (I can give the guy some props too for taking time to appear on “The Daily Show” and holding his own.) Now, Obama was a better candidate compared to McCain, but not necessarily the candidate I wanted to run my country. He had a few policies I didn’t agree with either (ahem, healthcare). I didn’t vote for either one due to the simple fact I didn't really want either to run our country (I wanted Ron Paul to win). I don’t want you to think I wish any ill will on Obama or his presidential term. It is great to see an African-American in the White House. I think it's a huge milestone in our nation's history and I can get behind what he stands for and represents.

When it all comes down to it, personally I don't think it matters who wins. The president is a puppet who has lobbyists and billion dollar companies calling the shots. We should as citizens of this nation take a step back and look at our political system and realize maybe the type of president isn’t the change we need, but maybe the change is in our political system as a whole.

Disconnect and self-destruct one bullet at a time… What’s your hurry, everyone will have his day to die…