In an interview with Citypages August Nimtz, New Orleans native and poli sci prof at U of Minnesota, discusses how disasters can foster solidarity. And he offers this take on the US government:
One of the biggest illusions people in this country have is the notion or belief that the government is quote-unquote “our” government. It’s only through things like [Katrina] that people realize it’s their government–of the rich, for the rich, by the rich.
What people confuse is what should be with what is. Yes, it should be our government. It should be a government of working people. But boy, we should not confuse what is with what should be, because it’s deadly. And that lesson is burned deep into the people of New Orleans’ brains unlike any other part of the country right now, and the rest of us can learn from that.
Wise words for this Constitutional anniversary.
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