Bob,
From my point of view, the transformation from Citizen to Consumer
began with the advent of commercial radio, back in the 30's. We've
become so used to the pounding, relentless sell, that we think it has
always been this way. But there was a time when common citizens sat
about the dinner table and discussed their government. When I think
of the apathy that we are now clouded in, I have to ask, "What is the
cause of this condition?" That is the question to ponder and to
answer. And remember, apathy is a symptom, not the underlying issue.
Find the cause of Apathy and you will begin to solve the problem.
Carl Jarvis
On 1/27/16, Bob Hachey <bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Carl,
You make a good point here regarding apathy. I might put it another way, the
way Robert Reich has put it in some of his books on capitalism. He says, and
I agree wholeheartedly, that many AMericans have been transformed from
citizens to consumers. This transformation took place gradually beginning in
the mid-1970's. Citizens are interested in participating in the process of
government. That means reading policy documents, participating in public
meetings, trying to organize support for what is right and just, etc. Now,
too damned many of us are consumers. We look for the best deal, and we
consume fluffy mass media and entertainment in place of the harder task of
participating in our government. A big part of the problem is that we must
now work harder and longer to get what our parents had. Also, our wants have
grown exponentially. Before high school, I didn't know very many families
that owned more than one vehicle unless the second vehicle was a truk for
folks like electricians and plumbers. By the time I graduated high school,
it seemed the norm for the average family to own more than one vehicle.
So, it seems that today, the chase for the almighty dollar trumps good
citizenship. How will this all end? Not sure I want to know.
Bob Hachey
