reform

The question: do you believe in revolution? or reform?
Reform is analogous to cleaning a house. Revolution is like burning a house down and rebuilding on the site. So reform is obviously better, if it's doable. 

Once institutions are corrupted, they become incapable of reforming themselves. Reform can only occur as a consequence of pressure put on the institution from outside. If anyone can cite a single example of an institution which reformed itself from the inside, please let me know.

Reform prevents revolution, because if the corruption is drained from a corrupted institution, it will still have structural integrity. Thanks to Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church still exists.

Corrupt institutions always resist reform, and nurture a virulent hatred of the reformers who are actually their best friends. For example, capitalists hated, and still hate, Franklin Roosevelt, despite the fact that his reforms saved capitalism in the US from a possible socialst revolution.
 
Once institutions reach a certain level of corruption, they become dysfunctional and strictly parasitic, demanding tribute but giving nothing in return. At that point, the society in which they exist has no choice but to demand either reform or revolution.

The US government today has reached that point. "Organized crime," a term which used to refer to the Sicilian/Italian Mafia, would be better applied today to the Wall Street banks. The policy of endless war has attracted all manner of grifters, scammers, boodlers, and con artists who cynically ramp up the fears of the masses in order to sell them "security." It's an ancient trick, but it never fails.

Necessary reforms:

1. Reinstate Glass/Steagall, hire regulators who are cops, not ex bankers, and regulate the banking and finance sector, imposing punishments on evil doers. For example, considering Henry Paulson's contributions to the recent real estate meltdown and economic collapse, a minimum of 20 years in jail is appropriate.

2, No more war unless we're attacked. People who try to manipulate us by feeding our fears should have all the air let out of their tires. We know who you are, and that you're trying to sell us a used war at prices which will ruin us, so we're going to send you to a camp where you will learn how to work and play well with others.

3. The worst crime a person can commit is a crime against the earth. It's matricide, it's insane, and is the only crime that should be punishable by death.

I could list about seven other headings, but those three are the most important, not necessarily in that order.

Having ceased to function, our governmental and corporate institutions must submit to reform, or else.

Or else what? See France in 1789, Russia in 1917, etc. etc. 

Pictured: Lee Raymond, former chief executive officer of Exxon/Mobil Corporation.