The Victim Complex

In times of great accomplishment, Americans celebrate their contribution. From the lowest rungs of the working class to the country’s elite, when things are going well all are recognized for their effort – even if it is simple lip service to serve some end. When things go wrong we don’t seem to so readily reach for our credit in the failing. Maybe it is just human nature. Maybe we are wired to think about the good stuff and drown out the bad. Whatever the reason, the majority of Americans today do not seem overly interested in talking about what they did to get our country, or more accurately our economy, to where it is today.

Everyone is pointing fingers, to Wall Street, to Washington, to the rich. No one is really saying a whole lot about the fact that we all did this, together. We were either willing participants or dimwitted accomplices. None of the people that are being blamed made us take out loans to finance our frivolous consumption. We asked them for it. In return, they did everything they could possibly do to accommodate our wishes. Now that the house of cards we helped build on empty promises is faltering we have nowhere to turn but to ourselves.

But we don’t, at least not for the most part. And neither do our government and economic inhibitors. They liked the way things were for the past 20 years or so. There was a definite appearance of prosperity. It was all a facade, sure, but it looked good to them and we liked it too. We couldn’t get enough of all of its shimmer. So they won’t tell you it is time to tighten up and start thinking long term like an actual leader would do in a time of crisis. Instead, they tell you what you want to hear and you believe them because you don’t want to think about the alternative.

In the media you will find plenty of reference to this recession and how it is an unfortunate but normal part of life in a capitalist system. But what few media outlets mention, whether out of a sort of lazy ignorance or a willful, fear-based omission, is that we are entering uncharted territory. We have always entered recessions with some hopeful sector on the other side, but there are only two such sectors and neither look that promising – they are health care and alternative energy. We have also always entered recessions with plenty of natural resources to exploit once growth is triggered again. Those supplies are now uncertain and a faltering economy does not encourage exploration compared to periods of growth.

So get out your pointer fingers America, and start wagging them around. I am sure it isn’t your fault, you were just doing as you were told.

We are gonna get fucked harder than we ever have before.

Love,

Mike