Capitalism and Democracy - friends, or not compatible?
July 11th 2009 15:59
We have been told the virtues of the "free market" for decades. What does it mean, and what has it done for (and to) us? What do you truly get when you let capitalism run unfettered through an economic landscape?
There are examples of capitalism with little or no real regulation, where the only allegiance corporations have is to maximizing profit through whatever means. They include modern day Mexico, recent Russia, and emerging China. China, you say, aren't they communist? China is much more a fascist economic empire in development than a communist state these days. Look at China today and see the world tomorrow, if corporate interests have their way.
We hear alot in America about "free markets" and letting the market take care of problems, most people not understanding that we don't have anything close to what they imagine a free market to be. The exceptions might be your local farmer's market or the guy who does your lawn, but on the big stage free markets don't exist.
Corporate interests have so melded with the political and social landscape as to make it hard to tell where one ends an another begins. That's what you get when you allow corporations so-called "personhood," when you allow corporate money to flow unchecked at politicians, when you decide as a society that wealth is personal worth, that might makes right, and that the ends justify the means.
The battle waging over health care in America right now may well determine just how far we have fallen into a pit of corporate control. Over one and a quarter million dollars are being spent by health care lobbyists in Washington right now. Industry that sense a potential sea change from the public are doing whatever they can to stop reform. When a majority of Americans favor single-payer health care and a huge majority (76%) favor at least a public option, we hear the phrase "we don't have the votes."
Why, because all the Republicans and enough of the Democrats are far more concerned with their corporate sponsors than with their constituents. In a time when many Americans are struggling with a deep recession, big banks and insurance companies get huge bailouts. There is a word for the merging of corporate and government, it's fascism.
I know, that's a "buzzword" that is often thrown out without real understanding of what it is. Pure and simple, it's the mixing of corporate and state interests, usually to the detriment of the individual. Remember, before Hitler was exposed as the true monster he was, he had many fans worldwide, including many in corporate America.
Corporate elitists weren't happy at all with F.D.R. building up the common person, starting a social safety net, listening to workers, or reigning in their excess. They liked the idea of a special bond between business and government which would recognize their assumed superiority. It's no accident that "The Family" began in 1935.
The Family is a secretive group of politicians and corporate leaders who hold the position that Christianity had been misinterpreted for centuries, that it was actually meant to bestow a select few "chosen" ones to power and wealth. The Family is in the news now because of the affairs of Mark Sanford and Nevada Senator John Ensign, who along with implicated Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, are all Family members and all share the same house.
Little by little, elitist groups looked to do away with the reforms of FDR and the new deal, and found rapidly increasing success in the 1980s. The Reagan presidency did what elites had been unable to do up to that point - align their interests with huge numbers of voters. How? by embracing the religious right. Corporate fascism and religious fundamentalism grew together, both using the other for their own purposes. Now America is truly at the threshold.
Capitalism and democracy can be compatible, as long as the former knows the latter is in charge. As America - and to some extent the U.K., Italy, and some other countries - moved to corporatism, others chose another path. Those countries are riding out the worldwide downturn much better, and have strong social safety nets. It's not "un-American" to say we might have made the wrong choice. Can we correct our course?
The most potentially progressive leadership since FDR is having trouble breaking from the status quo. Climate change is so obvious a problem that it can't be ignored by any but the most ignorant, yet real action is threatened. Health care in America is approaching unsustainable, and yet real change is in doubt. The system is badly damaged - and sadly, may have to be broken completely before real change happens.
The key is health care, and that's why the battle is so well funded. Real health care reform will open the door to other people-driven initiatives that can begin a return a balance to capitalism, democracy, and social justice. If health care fails, the conservatives may well return to power and continue the drive to make America a Third World country.
There are examples of capitalism with little or no real regulation, where the only allegiance corporations have is to maximizing profit through whatever means. They include modern day Mexico, recent Russia, and emerging China. China, you say, aren't they communist? China is much more a fascist economic empire in development than a communist state these days. Look at China today and see the world tomorrow, if corporate interests have their way.
We hear alot in America about "free markets" and letting the market take care of problems, most people not understanding that we don't have anything close to what they imagine a free market to be. The exceptions might be your local farmer's market or the guy who does your lawn, but on the big stage free markets don't exist.
Corporate interests have so melded with the political and social landscape as to make it hard to tell where one ends an another begins. That's what you get when you allow corporations so-called "personhood," when you allow corporate money to flow unchecked at politicians, when you decide as a society that wealth is personal worth, that might makes right, and that the ends justify the means.
The battle waging over health care in America right now may well determine just how far we have fallen into a pit of corporate control. Over one and a quarter million dollars are being spent by health care lobbyists in Washington right now. Industry that sense a potential sea change from the public are doing whatever they can to stop reform. When a majority of Americans favor single-payer health care and a huge majority (76%) favor at least a public option, we hear the phrase "we don't have the votes."
Why, because all the Republicans and enough of the Democrats are far more concerned with their corporate sponsors than with their constituents. In a time when many Americans are struggling with a deep recession, big banks and insurance companies get huge bailouts. There is a word for the merging of corporate and government, it's fascism.
I know, that's a "buzzword" that is often thrown out without real understanding of what it is. Pure and simple, it's the mixing of corporate and state interests, usually to the detriment of the individual. Remember, before Hitler was exposed as the true monster he was, he had many fans worldwide, including many in corporate America.
Corporate elitists weren't happy at all with F.D.R. building up the common person, starting a social safety net, listening to workers, or reigning in their excess. They liked the idea of a special bond between business and government which would recognize their assumed superiority. It's no accident that "The Family" began in 1935.
The Family is a secretive group of politicians and corporate leaders who hold the position that Christianity had been misinterpreted for centuries, that it was actually meant to bestow a select few "chosen" ones to power and wealth. The Family is in the news now because of the affairs of Mark Sanford and Nevada Senator John Ensign, who along with implicated Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, are all Family members and all share the same house.
Little by little, elitist groups looked to do away with the reforms of FDR and the new deal, and found rapidly increasing success in the 1980s. The Reagan presidency did what elites had been unable to do up to that point - align their interests with huge numbers of voters. How? by embracing the religious right. Corporate fascism and religious fundamentalism grew together, both using the other for their own purposes. Now America is truly at the threshold.
Capitalism and democracy can be compatible, as long as the former knows the latter is in charge. As America - and to some extent the U.K., Italy, and some other countries - moved to corporatism, others chose another path. Those countries are riding out the worldwide downturn much better, and have strong social safety nets. It's not "un-American" to say we might have made the wrong choice. Can we correct our course?
The most potentially progressive leadership since FDR is having trouble breaking from the status quo. Climate change is so obvious a problem that it can't be ignored by any but the most ignorant, yet real action is threatened. Health care in America is approaching unsustainable, and yet real change is in doubt. The system is badly damaged - and sadly, may have to be broken completely before real change happens.
The key is health care, and that's why the battle is so well funded. Real health care reform will open the door to other people-driven initiatives that can begin a return a balance to capitalism, democracy, and social justice. If health care fails, the conservatives may well return to power and continue the drive to make America a Third World country.
| 40 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
