What capitalism has ultimately succeeded in doing is branding economic oppression as “Freedom.”

The Left [what’s left of The Left...]really needs to appreciate the degree to which all the progressive ideals and emancipatory lifestyles which emerged in the 60s have been fully integrated into the ruling capitalist ideology. Meaningless slogans like “Make America Great Again” aren’t radical or empowering, but completely hegemonic.

Just as the world was on the path to true progress, everything went to shit with the advent of neoliberal capitalism: the hippies going from yippies going to yuppies; finally turning into Gordon Gecko. The ethic of “freedom” became co-opted by capitalism into a marketing device for de-socialized individuals.

Progressive discourse was neutered of its capacity to bring about genuine, structural change by being subtly absorbed into the highly-censored narrative currently being deployed by Our Rulers.

This neoliberal idea of “choice” is just as much a form of oppression as freedom. You don’t have to work – you could just walk out the door. But you would probably only be able to access employment that was similar to what you do now…or of course, you could choose not to work, but then you’d be evicted and out on the street.

So the structure of society is such that this Freedom is a freedom that can only be exercised with the threat of severe consequences. So it’s a false Freedom at best.

But even when it’s not a false freedom, and one does succeed in getting a decent job and making good money, freedom can still be oppressive. In true capitalism, certain consumer choices are almost infinite – like handbags, ice cream or pornography – but meaningful Freedoms like the freedom to join together with your fellow citizens to form a union or a co-op is prohibited on the basis that they limit the Freedom of the corporations.

As though The Free Market is itself the sole crucible of human agency..!

Certain other forms of freedom can be deeply oppressive and limiting as well. That is the paradox. One of the most oppressed, un-free conditions to be in is to live in total autonomy – because it negates the structures that are the precondition of authentic action.

The downside is that under those conditions one can only exercise Freedom in accordance to the logic of The Free Market alone. Any other form of freedom will not be tolerated.

But real freedom is not having to be a wage slave; not living paycheck to paycheck, not being saddled with medical bills and college debt; one bounced check away from homelessness… 

That’s real freedom. Real freedom IS free.