George Orwell once observed, "To see what is in front of your nose needs a constant struggle." Certainly when it comes to the interrelated crises in the economy, the environment and imperialism that seems to hold true. The obvious eludes most citizens. The media divert people's attention or simply fail to provide crucial information. And the political system? Senator Dick Durbin said, "Banks are the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they frankly own the place." Our representatives are wined, dined and funded by the powerful hence legislation is crafted to serve their interests. Foreclosures, bankruptcies, and joblessness are at levels not seen since the Great Depression while money flows into endless wars and occupations. We are playing roulette with the future of our planet. Resources are being depleted at an unsustainable rate. Global warming. All things are connected.

John Bellamy Foster is editor of Monthly Review. He is professor of sociology at the University of Oregon. He's the author of many books including Naked Imperialism, Ecology Against Capitalism, The Vulnerable Planet, and The Great Financial Crisis.