After all the market shenanigans and financial collapses, a thinking person must come to the conclusion that most are clueless when it comes to economics. When corporations rule based solely on the bottom line and individuals work based on how much they can acquire, the planet and life is in jeopardy. Large corporations are both a blessing and a curse, they can provide jobs and a standard of living greater than most occupations for the employees at the top or in upper management levels, as we used to call it. They can also be predatory agencies, that lower wages, outsource, and hold communities and workers hostage to low pay and insecurity. Consider, study, Microsoft or Wal-Mart as examples.
I marvel at those who think free market corporatism is the way to nirvana. Enron, AIG, Saving and Loan collapse, bank failure, bad real estate investments, should tell all except those driven by formula that something is wrong and the system needs work. I used to think conservative corporate backed think tanks were a threat to democracy - I still do, but I will add corporatism as a threat to our planet as well. What happened to the good life. This piece is excellent, but boy, what a job it would entail, a change of head and heart and economy.
The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard
Philip Tetlock on expert predictions on the economy - Feb. 18, 2009
http://www.usmessageboard.com/writing/50779-end-of-democracy.html
"It has indeed been a trying hour for the Republic; but I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war." Abraham Lincoln in a letter to William F. Elkins, November 21, 1864.
I marvel at those who think free market corporatism is the way to nirvana. Enron, AIG, Saving and Loan collapse, bank failure, bad real estate investments, should tell all except those driven by formula that something is wrong and the system needs work. I used to think conservative corporate backed think tanks were a threat to democracy - I still do, but I will add corporatism as a threat to our planet as well. What happened to the good life. This piece is excellent, but boy, what a job it would entail, a change of head and heart and economy.
The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard
Philip Tetlock on expert predictions on the economy - Feb. 18, 2009
http://www.usmessageboard.com/writing/50779-end-of-democracy.html
"It has indeed been a trying hour for the Republic; but I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war." Abraham Lincoln in a letter to William F. Elkins, November 21, 1864.