Bowling Alone. by Ralph Nader

Fourth of July.
Independence Day.
Fireworks.
Family and friends.
Baseball.
Backyard cookout.
Carnage in Iraq.
What’s the reality on this Independence Day?
That we are not independent at all.
That we are held hostage by a President who is above law, committing war crimes.
That we have no effective political opposition to bring him under the rule of law.
That we are held hostage by an ever enveloping corporate commercial culture.
And here’s the thing.
Most Americans understand this.
Deep down, they know who is in control.
And they know equally well their own situation – in debt, holding two or more jobs to make ends meet, caring for their parents and grandparents and children and grandchildren, driving hundreds of miles to and from work, with very little time left to even think.
Let alone organize to fight corporate domination and war.
And so, with that limited time, we give ourselves a break here and there.
If it is not going to make a difference, why even lift a finger?
Ten years ago, Robert Putnam made the observation that with the advent of television, suburban sprawl, and two career families, American participation in civic and community life tanked.
He turned this observation into a book – Bowling Alone – we used to bowl in leagues, now we bowl alone.
In it, Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, and neighbors.
While market capital continues to seek higher ground – HMO charges at record highs each year and oil prices $60 a barrel – the stock of our social capital – the very fabric of our connections with each other – has plummeted.
But guess what?
One hundred years ago, Americans faced the same situation.
Rapid unregulated industrialization, abuse of workers, and urbanization disrupted families and social institutions.
The corporate demigods took advantage of the resulting fear, isolation, and intimidation to drive home their agendas that resulted in perpetual war, pollution, obscene concentration of wealth, and obscene poverty.
And what happened?
One hundred years ago, as Putnam describes it, Americans pulled themselves together and founded reading groups, community organizations, playgrounds, kindergartens, the League of Women Voters, the Rotary and the NAACP – and the populist movements that challenged the big corporate trusts.
No doubt, we are now at a similar tipping point.
It could tip either way – into corporate style fascism and surrender.
Or into democratic renewal and light.
On this Fourth of July, I call on you, our long-time supporters, to again declare your independence from corporate domination.
To declare your independence from fear, isolation and despair.
To declare your independence from the corporate Democrats and Republicans.
Stand tall.
And join with us for an American renewal.
Let us tip the balance to hope, humanity and light.