Economic Austerity, The right to know why and for whom

By: Michael_T_Bucci

I don't like an acquiescent democracy. And that is exactly what the American people have become: a people who stand in line, keep their mouths shut and do what they're told.

The line which Americans now stand upon leads straight to Athens. The politicians of both parties have convinced the American people that they are responsible for the deficit and rightfully are due austerity measures that have yet to be outlined or disclosed. The entire debt problem - long in gestation - was obfuscated by the media, given little if any public exposure, now its solution is presented as a fait accompli: The American people are found guilty by a secret jury and judge, a sentence of austerity is pronounced with specifics to follow. Reaction from the American people? Shock, finger-pointing, anger, confusion, paralysis, chaos, depression, escape, etc. Reaction from the people's politicians: Solid consensus about austerity, no debate on it, no alternatives, no disclosures, ongoing political theatre and charades, stonewalling, muddiness, clouding, smokescreens.

If you found a $15 trillion error on your credit card and by prior legal agreement you were obligated to pay it, what would you do? You would call and report the error. You would ask what the charges were for. You would ask who charged it. You would refuse to pay because you considered it an act of fraud. In the case of Washington putting a charge on the American people's credit card, the response should be no different. How was the money spent? Who spent it? Who authorized the expense? Are the charges legitimate or illegitimate?  Is there proof of criminal activity or fraud? Where are the audits of the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Military? Am I obligated to pay because all politicians (of both parties) have agreed I pay? What are my rights? Where is my defense attorney?
 
At the Watergate hearings of 1974, Senator Howard Baker of Connecticut asked two key questions that since have lived-on. He asked: "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" At this point in 2011, before the people of the United States agree to pay off a debt placed on their credit card that they may have not charged, they need another Howard Baker to ask three questions of their leaders (the self-styled judges and jury): "Where did the Trillions go, who authorized it, and to whom is it owed?"

Do you know the answers, or do you only think you know the answers?

There is not a watcher of Europe who is not aware of the life -choking and -threatening measures imposed upon Greece by the Troika during the last year. Greece is a textbook template for what is coming to the United States via its financial warriors, and maybe later by its own military. How many Americans know the details of this subject? How much media space and time (of an elucidating, discussion and debating nature) has been devoted to explaining the generic details of "austerity" or structural adjustment programs? Who is providing a mechanism to challenge the prescription, and to challenge the doctors?

Stand in line, keep your mouth shut and do what you're told? Or, stop the game now! and lets get the answers first? So far, there is only one answer for every question asked: austerity!

Karl Rove institutionalized the "surge" tactic in politics. Write the bill, force it through Congress before any opportunity for debate, and then impose it on the people. From the Patriot Act to TARP, surges proved the most effective way to circumscribe the normal legislative process, and preempt participation by the people. Today, the surge tactic implemented for passage of austerity measures is no different, except that it will cost Americans their livelihoods, their homes, their medicine, their health, their communities, and ultimately, I maintain, their national sovereignty.

The experts from banking, finance, economics and "the market" have churned the sea with red and black numbers that do more to baffle than enlighten. The public is expected to bow to the experts as they do the doctor.
 
So did the Greeks.

As I have a right to refuse the doctor's prescription and walk out of the hospital, I have the right to say NO to my government until I get satisfactory answers to my questions.

If democracy is going to survive this crisis, it must now assert citizen participation, freedom of speech, tolerance of opinions, open and vigorous debate, restoration of civil liberties, right to question and inquire of Government, demand full public disclosure of this matter and others, and, if nothing else...

The people must ask three simple questions any Howard Baker would ask today: "Where did the Trillions go, who authorized it, and to whom is it owed?"

The answers to these questions will unravel all of the others. Do you know the answers? Or do you only think you know the answers?

Is this America, or are we "all Greeks now"?

(As in all matters, may the truth ultimately prevail and justice be done.)

By Michael T Bucci

Michael T Bucci is a retired public relations executive from New Jersey presently residing in New England. His essays have appeared at The Market Oracle. He is the author of nine books on practical spirituality including White Book: Cerithous.

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