American politics is experiencing a historic challenge by average citizens to the Corporate control of American politics. The old Left-Right division has largely been eclipsed as a realistic way of analyzing American politics. Corporatism is now being seriously challenged by a new populism.
This populism cuts across the normal political divide in surprising ways. Tax policy, public spending, legal rights, immigration, environment, civil liberties, government secrecy, healthcare, campaign financing, trade policies, public debt, minimum wage, outsourcing, media concentration, anti-monopoly policies, government contracting, worker rights, foreign policy, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are all seriously driven by the financial and political power of the largest corporations. Small businesses, workers, consumers, small investors, taxpayers and the poor are all being negatively impacted by the Corporate Agenda on these and many other issues.
Under the Bush Republicans, large corporations have completely captured our federal government and almost all the major media outlets. The middle-class in America has seen their lifestyles undermined by the greed and power of the Corporatists. A real backlash has developed. It can be seen by numerous ballot initiatives, candidacies and growing grassroots organizations.
The Democratic Party has started to shake off the corrupting influence of corporate money as a result of a grassroots rebellion among Party activists. The Lamont Democratic Primary victory in the Connecticut Senate race is one good example of a growing populist trend in Democratic circles. The Tester Senate candidacy in Montana is another great example of the rising populist tide in Democratic politics. Howard Dean serving as Democratic National Committee Chairman was one of the first examples. Democrats are winning the battle for the soul of their Party.
The Shuler Congressional candidacy in North Carolina, the Curtis Congressional candidacy in Florida, the Seals Congressional candidacy in Illinois, the Trupiano Congressional candidacy in Michigan and hundreds of other grassroots based candidacies show the trend is truly national in scope. The amazing growth of organizations, like Move-On, Democracy for America, Democrats.com and the Progressive Democrats of America (especially at the local chapter level) show that grassroots populism has become institutionalized.
While grassroots Republicans and traditional conservatives have started to rebel against the corrupting influence of large corporations, their hopes of reclaiming the soul of the Republican Party are basically stillborn. Large international corporations have almost completely bought control of the Republican Party at the national and state level. Their power is starting to reach down to the county level in many areas.
Examples of the growing power and corrupting influences of large corporations at the state and county levels can be seen in races in Delaware and Maryland. In the Delaware Attorney General race, the Republican candidate Wharton, who is running against US Senator Biden's son, has been funded largely by soft money from drug companies, casino operators, tobacco companies, etc. The corrupting potential of this money on state-funded lawsuits on behalf of taxpayers, consumers, workers, etc. is obvious.
Even in a local Sheriff race (Cecil County, Maryland), corporate money has been following to the Republican candidate, Barry Janney. Large corporations receiving huge contracts from the Sheriff Department have given thousands to Janney. Janney has raised more than double the amount of funding than his Democratic challenger, Chris Sutton. The Sutton campaign has been a truly populist effort. Sutton has many more very small donors but many fewer large money donors. This race is much closer than the campaign donation figures indicate.
Populist candidates will not always win. However, huge money advantages by Corporate candidates are no longer as decisive as in past elections. The trend is with the populist candidacies instead of the Big Money campaigns. Voters want officeholders who vote for policies that benefit the vast majority instead of just the powerful elite.
Voters do not want their rights to sue large corporations over injustices limited by corporate money. Voters do not want good jobs sent outside our borders by large corporations. Americans want healthcare for all citizens to be provided by our government even if it means higher taxes. Private corporate profit should not come at the expense of the health of American citizens.
We want elections based on ideas instead of campaign money. We want community control of our media and media diversity. We want strong environmental protection. We do not want to lose our manufacturing base to a flood of cheap imports. We want open government, competitive bidding for government contracts and high ethical standards by officeholders.
We want the large corporations to start paying a larger percentage share of the tax burden instead of just individual taxpayers. We want to reduce the level of public debt and corporate raiding of public tax money. We want easier voting procedures and less opportunity for mucking with the voter rolls by politicians. We want honest vote counts.
Americans want foreign policies that serve national interests instead of corporate interests. Oil companies should not be setting government energy policy. Drug companies should not be designing prescription drug policies under Medicare for maximum private profit instead of maximum public good. Taxpayers and seniors should be getting more resources for the amount of money being spent.
As Democrats move toward a more populist viewpoint, third parties like the Populist, Reform and Green Parties may merge their political efforts with the populist Democrats. As Republicans become more disgusted with Corporate control of their Party, third parties like the Constitution, the American or Libertarian Parties may benefit. Many Republicans will simply become Democratic voters.
Republican social wedge issues are declining in importance to American voters because they ignore the real threat of Corporatism to the American way of life. Corporate corruption has turned-off many Christian voters once loyal to the Republican Party.
When I started to read you article, I was thinking, "Hey, let's see what going on here"? The first thing that tipped me off, was the statement that "The Democrats have gotten away from the Corporate Power base", or something like that. Where did you hear that? Did you read it , did somebody tell you that, or did you just "make it up" because it sounded good? Anyway, you insulted me with that little statement. What do you take me for, an idiot? Do you mean that Democrats actually turned down one thin dime from Corporate America? Let me tell you something. You didn't receive votes because the nation see's the "Democratic message". You got votes because people were rejecting the Right, and you just happen to belong to a party that can win. That's it. We don't trust you, don't love you, and really don't expect much out of the Democrats in the next two years.
To say that the Democratic Party has become "Populist" is like saying Kim IL Sung has embraced Democracy because he is thinking of coming back to the six-party talks. You Democrats did nothing in the last six years that you have anything to be proud of. If you win either house, you did so by default. You all are bought and sold by corporate America before you even take your seat in congress. Believe me, I read who takes what from whom. I will be watching in the next two years. I tried to put together a third Major centerist Party and I might do so again. This time with Union support.
One thing I can't understand is how the Unions support Corporate ass kissers like The Democrats. You take money from the very same people that are trying their best to make Unions a thing of the past. NAFTA has already broken the backs of the Unions, why don't uou start off by amending that piece of trash so that American workers aren't being "oursourced" every time that they want a raise. Another thing, what about healthcare for people that can't afford it. The ones that your Corporate handlers won't give to your "populist" base?
Mr. Democrat, we "are going to hold your feet to the fire", and it doesn't come with a blue falg being waved while we do it. The only popilist movement is the one that hit the streets when the people it Capitol Hill let us down again. Be aware of this. Don't take the people for granted. You have no mandate. From an old song; "meet the new boss, same as the old boss". You can bet that we won't be fooled by you pliticians again. You people better get to work, or buy a coffin for that donkey of yours.
by
Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments)
on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 6:02:32 PM
Critic should read the argument presented in the article.
The battle for the soul of the Democratic Party is not won but it can be. With the Republicans, the task is hopeless.
Much of the critics argument is based on who is the Democratic Party. If one regards the Senate Democrats like Lieberman as the Party, his argument might make sense. If you look at the Democratic Party as the hundreds of thousands of grassroots activists as I do, it is much easier to be hopeful.
The rising stars like Obama are more in touch with the populist base. Dean is certainly a populist and he heads our Party.
Reading the article is important. The critic ignored the points made on the direction of issues, the new candidacies and the growth of new grassroots organizations. In essence, he ignored the content of the article with a generalized attack on Democrats.
The critics' arguments can be used to advocate for third party alternatives, which can be good in promoting new issue directions but can also hand power to the Republican Corporatist in many cases. They can be used by disguised Corporatists to undermine and divide reformers and populists or promote hopelessness.
by
Stephen Crockett (128 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 113 comments)
on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 6:55:17 PM
The staggering assumptions that, because democratic candidates in close races take stands opposing republican opponents, because corporate funds do not flow to democrats in local elections, we are seeing a movement of the Democratic Party towards populism is, sorry to say, quite innaccurate and likely to vex those who see no evidence of these flimsy and unsupportable claims. THe Democratic Party has abandoned its base long ago and any token request to ask us to return is a waste of my time.
The real meat of this article, in my opinion, is the suggestion of a real realignment of voting allegiances in this country, with more and more moderate republicans moving towards alliances with centrist democrats and progressives on both sides moving towards third party alliances.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 7:22:04 AM
I agree with all of your criticisms, especially the part about Unions supporting the Democratic party without demanding adherence of elected officials to labors' goals.
Mr. Crockett should look into the campaign war chest of Hillary Clinton and the sources of that mega-fund before trying to convince literate citizens that the Dems are not sucking on the corporate tit.
While I will admit that most strata's of our society feel an angst against the current political/economic trends, I see no justification in calling it populism. That would imply an understanding of the woes of another level of society. Even though the construction worker whose wages have been effectively static for twenty years and the mid level white collar office worker who hits a wage ceiling before his school loans are paid off are effected by the same policies, there is No mutual camaraderie. The general population has very little understanding in the ways corporations have manipulated the body politic with control of our basic educational, religious, political and economic institutions.
It is apparent that Mr. Crockett is also negating Democrat closeness to the same corporate entities by the examples he chooses. Mr. Lamont beat Lieberman in the primary before most people knew him. He won because LOTS of people did not like Joe's Globalist war mongering. But before holding Lamont up as a new type of populist leader he should be aware that Lamont is the grandson of JP Morgan's CEO. And it was obvious that Howard Dean was given the DNC to keep him from running for the 2008 nomination, a position already slated for another corporate lackey. His party affiliation is not an issue.
I truly believe the Democratic party is standing as a shield, protecting the status quo from a true populist political hero from emerging. Look how Dean was treated by the corporate media and how the party turned their collective backs on him. Or how Nader was assaulted as a spoiler even though he was the only person speaking for the general tenants of American values.
If the Dems do take power, and they do not start investigations into 911, the war in Iraq, the energy meetings, Sibel Edmonds, the NSA spying and start impeachment proceedings immediately against this administration they are as good as traitors.
by
cliff567 (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 164 comments)
on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 10:12:02 PM
Exactly what vehicle for populist change realistically exist beside the Democrats? Labor unions and grassroots Democratic activists are the only viable vehicle.... nothing else exists.
I am really sick of critics with no winning plan harping on the efforts of those taking realistic action with a real chance for reform. Are you guys just Republican Corporatists trying to derail any realistic effort with a hope for success?
I am reminded of the huge campaign contributions to Green candidates from Right-Wing Republicans designed to undermine progressive Democratic candidates. Are you guys advocating not voting or wasting your vote on third party candidates?
by
Stephen Crockett (128 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 113 comments)
on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 7:47:20 AM
Go to Opensecrets.org and read who is running both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. I voted Democrat this year because it was the lesser of two evils. You are still in the dark age. Do you think your "Grassroots" contributions paid the $328,000,000.00 dollars for the Kerry Presidential bid? Do you think that people "Down home on the farm" paid the $20,000.000.00 tab for the House races and the $100,000,000.00 for the Senate races? Not to mention the PAC's that also bought ads. The only thing the two major parties need us for is to pull the lever. After that it's "get lost people, till the next election, we got our corporate masters to serve". Groups like the AMA, The trial Lawyers Association, Con-Agra, CDM, Halliburton, The Insurance Companies, 3M , the list goes on and on. We matter not my friend, and you better get yourself educated and start screaming your lungs out for real campaign reform and a change in the way that they run elections.
Do you actually believe that The Abramoff Scandal was a Republican headache, or limited to that set of lobbyists? They are just the ones that got caught. We had a perfect opportunity to change the playing field and the Democrats stood mute. Do you know why? Because they are accepting money from exactly the same people as the Republicans are accepting money from. I know what I'm talking about, I have done my homework. Both parties did not accept the Federal Matching Campaign funds that would have given $79,000,000.00 to each Presidential candidate. That's because they used six times that much! Think it came from your $50.00 donation?
You use the word "Progressive". You have no idea what progressive is. The Democrats you have in power are not Progressives. FDR was a progressive. Teddy Roosevelt was a progressive. These people in Party politics now are professional people that have made politics a business, just like any other. You will not see National healthcare, you will not see illegal immigration stopped, you will continue to se social security degraded, all until this nation ceases to be a "Corporacrcy", because that is what it is now. As long as the Doctors and Lawyers and Pharmacuetical Companies foot the campaign bills National Healthcare is a dead issue. As long as Con-Agra, Dole and other Agra-companies need cheap labor the people of South America will work for lessthan minimum wage. There are reasons why the same old issues come up to get us focused on crap. Things like burning the flag, education, same-sex marraige and the Pledge of allegiance, because they are "safe". They don't have to go against their "corporate handlers"
Go to CampaignReform.org Go to LINCOLNINITATIVE.org. See who is "financing" your "Progressive Democrats". If I'm lying then I just wasted a lot of time to tell you how it is. We are in a crisis. Don't call me a defeatist. I'm fighting tooth and nail against the ignorance you are showing. I believe you really think you are correct. I did once too, but I found out the truth. For your sake and your country's sake, throw off that naive idea that the Democrats are any different than the Republicans. If we all clamor for Campaign Reform we might get it. If we believe Mr. Smith goes to Washington, we're done for. Good Luck.
We don't need the Greens or the communists or any other tiny no-chance party. We need a party that has one goal: to get the Corporations out of government so that government can do the peoples business. We all need to think of that, and act on that. For the sake of the Country and your children. Otherwise just call us United States of America Incorporated, LLC
by
Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments)
on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 1:58:41 PM
Great article by David Sirota. These critics do not under seem to understand that the Democratic Party is not just the federal officeholders. It is actually millions of grassroots activists.
These critics are falsely claiming that only Corporatists are in charge of our Party. They are flatly wrong and seem devoted to not successfully challenging the Corporatists for control of our government or any major political party. They are either losers or actually in the pay of the Right Wing.
Frankly, the Corporatists love guys like these.
Non-voters are the people most devoted to the ideas of reformers and populists. Unfortunately, they have been sold a BIG LIE that both major Parties are the same and have given up hope. This political BS has been pushed by Republicans and Right Wingers to keep people from voting and from running for office.
Any progressive pushing this line is an idiot. Fight and maybe win. Do not fight and you have already lost.
by
Stephen Crockett (128 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 113 comments)
on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 3:59:48 PM
firstly for insulting those who read, research and form opinions that differ from your own. Each of your last two posts reflect your frustration in your inability to turn a sows ear into a silk purse.
Secondly shame on you for calling yourself a grassroots democrat. If you truly were one you would fully appreciate that the national organisation has failed to heed the wishes of the grassroots for a very long time.
Because you lack the vision to understand that what this nation needs cannot be supplied by either party I pity you. With the Democrats poised to retake the House and possibly the Senate I am certain you will have ample opportunity to regret your misplaced loyalties.....
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 5:39:18 PM
Just because you say it's so, doesn't make it so. I just posted an article from The Center for Responive Politics that states over 2.6 BILLION was spent on the mid term elections. I asked you to go to opensecrets.org and look at where you people are taking this money from. Did you do it, or would you rather just call your "critics" names? It's not hard to see for yourself instead of blindly following a political party that once was good, but alas has been sold. I am done talking to you. You are not listening, you are going into a defensive posture and fighting the truth. Be one of the people that insures that the Democrats pass a law that limits or stops corporate or special interest campaign funds. That's what I'm going to do. You've got it all wrong, corporationists love guys like you, people who say that the Democrats aren't bought. They are, the sooner you and the rest of the Democrats believe that, the sooner we can change it, or you can just deny the truth.
by
Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments)
on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 12:37:44 PM
9 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
