The only change that took place in this nation on November 4, 2008 was chump change, which was no change at all. Symbolic change does not feed, clothe, house or provide people health care.

Systemically, the U.S. Empire is corrupt and irreparably flawed, particularly as it affects the vast majority of Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White peoples in this nation and throughout the world. Moreover, it is utterly ridiculous to expect that the significant and much needed economic, social, and political change will be, or even can be, brought about without first changing the political, social, and economic system in its entirety [i.e. systemic change].

Now that the masses of people in this nation have been once again effectively hoodwinked, bamboozled, and chumped-out by a slimy, fifth column, self serving corporate media, intent upon diverting, disinforming, and misinforming the overwhelming majority of people; January of 2009 will usher in the same old business as usual - only this time, under the guise of Black face in the White House. The announced appointments of Rahm Emmanuel, Hillary Clinton, and Robert Gates, etc., to major posts within the incoming U.S. regime, are ones that have nothing to do with “change” (systemic or otherwise), and everything to do with continuity of empire, oppression, and cynical masquerade.

In relatively short order, probably within the upcoming next two to four years, the elite of the U.S. Empire will no doubt, utilizing disinformation, stealth, and subterfuge, manufacture reasons to militarily attack one or both of the sovereign nations of Iran and Venezuela. Of course the despicable U.S. corporate lackey media, in collaboration with the U.S. corporate blood sucking / military apparatus will beat the proverbial drums for war as has happened time and time again.

Meanwhile, within the U.S., the incoming regime’s emperor will use increasing rhetorical double talk and mixed signals, combined with smoke and mirror economics, to continue to divert, bamboozle, confuse, and manipulate the people of this nation. As the people of the U.S. increasingly lose their jobs and homes, etc., and receive no (single payer) universal health care, they will be told to sacrifice and have “hope.” This, even as the bloated corporate elite enjoy their ill-gotten gains at the expense of the majority of people of the United States and the world.

The economic and racial disparities within this nation will not be seriously addressed by the incoming U.S. regime, nor will the situations of the many political prisoners, wallowing in prisons throughout this nation, be equitably addressed. Symbolic change is chump change, which is no real change at all.

It is imperative that people in this nation break free, once and for all, from the death grip of corporate capitalism which is nothing more than systemic terrorism against the poor.

We must stop being chumps and start standing up and being full human beings. It is only the people of this nation and world who can, and ultimately will bring about systemic change that is so sorely needed if ever there is to be real political, social, and economic justice.

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS NewsHour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book). Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.

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