"We have reached the deplorable circumstance where in large measure a very powerful few are in possession of the earth's resources, the land and its riches and all the franchises and other privileges that yield a return. These positions are maintained virtually without taxation; they are immune to the demands made on others. The very poor, who have nothing, are the object of compulsory charity. And the rest -- the workers, the middle-class, the backbone of the country -- are made to support the lot by their labor."
----Agnes George de Mille (granddaughter of Henry George), New York, 1979
Note that Ms. George de Mille penned her observations before the patron saint of the "have mores" established residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In less than three decades, a Friedman-inspired Reagan and his successors made astounding gains for the "very powerful" de Mille described. Reagan wielded the scalpel that emasculated organized labor and convinced America that "regulation" is a four letter word. George H.W. Bush further crippled unions and condemned many poor Mexicans to corporate exploitation through his relentless efforts to make NAFTA a reality. Convincing the multitude of his compassion and empathy, Clinton proceeded to sign NAFTA into law and cheerfully eviscerated public assistance.
Embarking on a "divine mission, George W. Bush has taken "free trade", deregulation, fiscal strangulation of social programs, enervation of We the People, and militarism to breath-taking heights. In spite of W's failure to eliminate the "Death Tax", Milton Friedman is beaming with pride as the flames of eternal damnation incinerate his corporeal shell and render his wicked soul vulnerable to the divine castigation he so richly deserves.
Consider the words of Henry George, a US American economic and political thinker who advocated a balance of free markets, government regulation, and social programs:
"The forces of the new era have not yet had time to make status hereditary, but we may clearly see that when the industrial organization compels a thousand workmen to take service under one master, the proportion of masters to men will be but as one to a thousand, though the one may come from the ranks of the thousand. "Master"! We don't like the word. It is not American! But what is the use of objecting to the word when we have the thing? The man who gives me employment, which I must have or suffer, that man is my master, let me call him what I will."
---Henry George, 1883
Inculcating and deluding the masses with a multi-billion dollar barrage of agitprop and sophistry potent enough to penetrate the minds of the most adroit thinkers, the moneyed interests behind corporatism and exploitative Capitalism have created a false dichotomy that clings to our collective psyche like a cocklebur deeply embedded in a wool sock. They are intent on retaining mastery over their wage slaves(1).
According to "conventional thinking" proffered by the corporate media, only two choices exist: the extant form of rapacious Capitalism or the gross perversions of Communism implemented by Stalin and Mao. Socialism might be considered as a third alternative at times, but since it is theoretically a transitional state leading to Communism, is "Leftist", and advocates the needs of the collective over the desires of a few avaricious individuals, the MSM generally tends to equate it with Communism.
As all freedom loving denizens of the United States and its satellite bastions of Corporatism know, Communism is inherently evil while Capitalism is intrinsically good. Which is why the Bush Regime recently rescinded a ban on training right wing military forces in several Latin American nations. It is imperative that we keep the world safe for corporate plunder, human exploitation, and rape of the environment. Even if that means supporting murderous dictators like Pinochet or the slaughter of tens of thousands of civilians by right wing paramilitaries trained and supplied by the United States.
While it is true that there are potentially insurmountable problems with implementing a purely collective economic system that ignores the natural human propensities for greed and self interest, "prevailing thought" leaves no room for middle ground. As obedient wage slaves, we must labor to our dying breath to preserve an economic order that ensures the suffering of billions to afford a few million the means to satiate their every whim and desire(2).
Forget the existence of alternative economic theories like Distributism or Social Democracy. Potential economic models which threaten their stranglehold on prosperity are anathema to the plutocracy. Adopting an economic system with at least as much emphasis on society's needs as on the pursuit of individual riches would almost certainly achieve a modicum of economic and social justice. However, as evidenced by their tenacious efforts to eliminate public funding for socially beneficial programs (rather than improving them), our opulent overlords have little interest in down-sizing their fleets of expensive cars so that children can eat.
And why do the wage slaves accept these pernicious lies, gross injustices, and moral aberrations?
Many have yet to shake free of insidious abstractions like uber-nationalism, xenophobia, racism, militarism, narcissism, and consumerism. These ludicrous conceptualizations effectively manacle their very minds and souls. Those who have awakened face the stark reality of nearly insurmountable economic barriers to freedom from some degree of complicity in the fascist designs of the Corporatocracy.
Virtually every member of humanity barring the pecunious class faces a brutal dilemma. Do they serve the elite as wage slaves or languish as one of their deeply impoverished victims? (In some cases both fates befall them simultaneously). While there are those precious few who win the lottery, exploit extreme athletic or musical talent, or miraculously embody the Horatio Alger myth, most people find themselves choosing between the Scylla and Charybdis.
To maintain their affluence and power, the haut monde need a relatively compliant stable of wage slaves to enable them to exploit the rest of humanity. Bread and circuses ensure the cooperation of most. As for the nuisances who begin to feel the agonizing prick of conscience and start questioning the system, the Sirens of consumerism, conformity, and fear often draw them back to devotional obedience and spiritual ruin.
Jason Miller is a recovering US American middle class suburbanite who strives to remain intellectually free. He is Cyrano's Journal Online's associate editor (http://www.bestcyrano.org/) and publishes Thomas Paine's Corner within Cyrano's at http://www.bestcyrano.org/THOMASPAINE/.
Yes we can. I might add that communism is no different than dictatorship, and the elite who control the wealth in America under the guise of Capitolism.
Take for instance Taiwan. Why in the world is Chen Shui-bian so stuck on his idea of independence, when he should be using his agenda to bringing a two party system into China? Communism is no sweet deal mark my word. They control your life. At least America has Corporatism and your so called slaves working for them, who operate and are able to operate without heavy influence of government. Who is going to do the work? I dare say the Rich Communist live like the Middle Class in America. And the poor which are in the millions is a sad experience indeed.
Indeed if Corporatism was to truely work in America the workers would be the owners, giving a middle class salary to the CEO. That is how the cookie should crumble, and that is how we should be seeking to change the corporate rules, and bring the reality to the lords of wealth that they are not getting a free lunch off our backs anymore.
We have the people and the votes to make change.
Why has Bush been such a failure in Asia? He has been supporting China's free trade into the USA, making WalMart a wealthy Communist Corporation. Are we going to trade our freedoms in for Communism? I sure hope not...I sure hope the brakes come on...And that talk to end the one party system in China begins. Taiwan is the key to the puzzle. Chen Shui-bian needs to use his DPP Democratic Peoples Party to engage the Communist Party to seek the CCP burial, and the end to its foothold on the world. China is the last bastion of Communism in the world....and they think they are a harmonious society. Someday it is going to bite them in the rear end.
People like Bush will use Capitolism to get rich at the expense of Democracy. We need to see that Democracy is the only good thing left in this world as it fights the over indignant clutches of Capitolism and its partner in crime Communism.
Since Bush has not engaged Taiwan on this advice, or China it is clear his efforts are marked for failure.
I think if China ended Communism and accepted Taiwans DPP two party government with elections where all the people can vote, then we may as a world begin to see the gift of Gods paradise emerge from the brutal harmonious society called communism.
Taiwan is the key to changing China into a Democratic Society. Why the Hush??? all over the world??
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 6:21:24 AM
The system would collapse without our cooperation.
This is most important and receives too little attention and appreciation. We have a consumer economy. So, the question is how can we consumers use our spending power politically? Simple, we need mass "buycotts" where millions of Americans cease spending their discretionary income in order to achieve specific political aims. Try this: CALL FOR A SHARP DROP IN CONSUMER SPENDING IN JANUARY AND MAINTAIN IT UNTIL THE NEW DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED CONGRESS STARTS IMPEACHMENT OF GW BUSH!!! WE NEED OPEDNEWS AND OTHER PROGRESSIVE WEBSITES TO ACT AS A CENTRAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION INFORMING ENLIGHTENED AMERICANS TO CONDUCT THE BUYCOTT.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (113 articles, 20 quicklinks, 46 diaries, 428 comments)
on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 10:44:38 AM
Good article about Friedman and his despicable legacy!
As we all the know, our current Democrat/Republican duopoly is unresponsive to the will of the people. Therefore, I agree that the most effective way to change the current corporate power structure is through massive boycotts & strikes. And it can be done! They do it in Italy and France.
Check out an article I wrote last year called "Wake Up, Unplug, and Face the Truth! Solution to Corporate Fascism: National Strikes & Boycotts" in the Feb. 2005 issue of the Online Review of Books & Current Affairs.
Freidman always had that smile that seemed more like a smirk. He was laughing, and most likely at us. He has finally gone away.
The "Master" class is going away also; when the folks find out what the "Master" plan has been for the last 60 years of the nuclear age, "Master," will have no choice in the matter. The question is: How long will it take for the mass of the population to understand exactly what "Master" has pulled on us. Here's a hint: The Nuclear Trigger."
H.G. Wells and Lenin talked of when the material circumstance advanced to total abundance, how that would end the need for our blood sucking States.
The technology actually has arrived to provide for that. In fact, nearly 70 years ago, it was understood by a few top scientists, how to tap into the "Cosmological process, for unlimited heat and Electrical energy.
Many top scientists who have worked in this area, have endured very strange endings to their lives.
The predator classes have done their best, to do us wrong.
It will be a fine time for sure when we can bid the "Master," farewell.
Unlimited Heat and Electricity will create the abundance necessary to end the mis-rule of "Master."
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by
Patrick (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 365 comments)
on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 10:30:39 PM
