The NFL, U.S. policy, and complicity of the masses

Miller continues:

“In a 1992 speaking engagement concerning his book, Manufacturing Consent, Noam Chomsky observed, ‘Take, say, sports — that’s another crucial example of the indoctrination system, in my view. For one thing because it — you know, it offers people something to pay attention to that’s of no importance. That keeps them from worrying about — keeps them from worrying about things that matter to their lives that they might have some idea of doing something about. And in fact it’s striking to see the intelligence that’s used by ordinary people in sports. I mean, you listen to radio stations where people call in — they have the most exotic information and understanding about all kind of arcane issues. And the press undoubtedly does a lot with this.’

It is worth noting that in a few weeks, about 125 million of the Empire’s citizens will settle in for a day of hedonistic pleasure. Hallmark Cards calculated that the Super Bowl surpasses New Year’s Eve as the biggest party day of the year. U.S. Americans consume more food on ‘Super Sunday’ than any day except Thanksgiving…. In exchange for diverting the attention of the masses from our ruling elites’ horrendous misdeeds, the obscenely opulent owners of NFL teams receive generous helpings of corporate welfare, an exemption from anti-trust laws, and the freedom to extort the public.

… Imagine what our youth (and the rest of us) could accomplish if we focused more of our time, energy, resources, and efforts on attainable goals and socially redeeming activities.

Right here in the United States over a million people are homeless at any given moment. Tens of millions lack proper nutrition and access to health care. Our infant mortality rate is the highest amongst industrialized nations. Untold numbers caught in Katrina’s Diaspora are still scattered to the four corners of the Earth. One in seven Americans live below poverty level.

And if enough of us amongst the poor and working class united, it would be within our collective power to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

Yet we choose to subsidize billionaires like [Seattle Seahawks owner] Paul Allen and to immerse ourselves in NFL football, the product of an entity that embodies nearly all the reprehensible traits of predatory American Capitalism.”