I love history; especially the history of my country. One fact I just learned is astounding and explains much about the darker past of our nation.

Our government loves to glorify America’s past. However, the truth is not “pretty” all too often. Many of our founding fathers owned slaves. Thomas Jefferson used at least one, Sally Hemmings, for sexual gratification. Native Americans were abused by the colonists. The Civil War was an atrocity. Citizens of a relatively new nation slaughtered each other simply because they refused to find a compromise between the north and south. Slavery was the core issue, but not the entire reason for the brutal confrontation. Southern states refused to accept the government in Washington and sought separation. Sadly, many white men who live in the south today continue to reject the authority of our federal government. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, our government supported big business and literally forced the American worker to live in slave-like conditions.

Here is the fact which surprised me. Only about one-third of the residents of America’s original colonies supported the American Revolution. Two-thirds preferred to remain loyal to King George III. To create an army, the rulers of the colonies “drafted” farmers, and anyone else they could find, into their army to fight the British, frequently leaving their families in abject poverty. Why is this important? It explains the long history of the American government’s support of a ‘police state.’ It began before we were a country. It is also attributable to the reasons why the right wing continues to wage a war against the working class today and supports special interests. It has always been about the money and the power.

Prior to this article, I have published 5,830 articles on this blog alone, not to mention thousands of articles for the Las Vegas Guardian Express. This one may finally help you and me understand the basic reasons why our nation has never been “great,” and never will be unless we change how our government functions. Capitalism has failed the working class. Today one-half of all 320+ million Americans are considered ‘low-income,’ or struggle below the poverty line. With 540 billionaires and 10.8 million millionaires, the huge gap in income inequality is unforgivable.

In the early 1900’s the American worker was abused without recourse. They were forced to work a minimum of 12 hours a day; six and even seven days a week for pay which prevented them to adequately support their families. The conditions in which they worked were often referred to as “sweat shops.” Poor ventilation and hot and humid condition in the summers were not fit for man nor beast. In the winter the cold was literally unbearable. Small children were forced to become members of our nation’s work force and were not allowed to attend school.

When attempts were made to ‘unionize,’ business leaders used the local police to disband protestors, and when that was not enough, they hired the “Pinkerton Agency” to disrupt the angry crowds by any means. It was common to see dead men lying in the streets after an angry protest.

Today Trump and his fascist Department of Justice is once again waging a war on the working class by seeking the abolition of unions and the prevention of worker’s rights in the courts. The Republican dominated Supreme Court has displayed its approval of abolishing all labor unions and eliminating the legal rights of the working class.

The Trump Party is the party of the rich. They are the enemy if you are a member of 90 percent of the American people. What began by a new nation’s governing body as forced participation in a military conflict against its mother country continues today. Our nation’s law enforcement and military refuse to serve and protect our nation’s people; they serve our corrupt and fascist government.

Only a second American revolution can save our country. Our elected officials refuse to serve the people; it’s time for a change in our nation’s system. Bernie Sanders, and now 28-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are 100 percent correct. Only Democratic Socialism can save the dream of our founding fathers. Capitalism is evil; it creates slaves from workers who are abused by their employers who receive the benefit of outrageous profits.

“Fascism is capitalism plus murder.”

― Upton Sinclair

It is way past time for the American people to become informed and active in their political system. All 320 million Americans must denounce all politicians who refuse to support the majority. The Trump Party doesn’t give a damn about you, and the leaders of the Democratic Party are passive; they say the right things but do nothing.

There are millions of younger Americans and women who will lead us into the future with ideas and principles which will defeat our enemies. At 72-years-of-age I am aware that my generation cannot lead a nation which is only 37.8 years of age by average; we must follow. They are the future and we are the past.

Trump and his circle of sinners are far too old to move America forward into the 21^st century. Your vote is a nuclear weapon and can easily defeat the failed efforts of Trump and his fascist party. Please vote; this is the most important election in America’s 229-year history. Thank you.

Please tell others about my blog; the truth lives here.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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