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NEWSROOM * CIRCULATION * ADVERTISING
Monday
March 2010
15
Community Blogs
WHO KILLED U.S. CAPITALISM?
As we watch and experience the death of American capitalism, there is a general finger-pointing exercise that aims at creeping socialism. But the U.S. is much farther from socialism than ever, and there is no remnant of it if there ever was one. In the 1930s, President Franklin Roosevelt instituted some economic plans that put the brakes on run-away capitalistic greed in order to save the United States from total disaster. Since then there has been a steady march toward greed capitalism.
Greed capitalism is not really capitalism at all. It has been a carefully crafted scheme to bilk Americans into thinking they were engaged in a never-ending economic spiral upward. We were made into spending and buying robots. We became such good puppets that we never blinked when the American dream cost us two, instead of one, adult workers in each family unit in order to afford to make ends meet. That meant doubling the work force in order to meet mediocrity in America.
Hints of danger in the future began to appear when corporate greed was not satisfied with immoral profits and organized to kill labor unions and big labor contracts. Among the many schemes to do this was to ship good paying jobs overseas to underdeveloped nations where labor was grateful and grossly underpaid. Slave shops that were outlawed in the U.S. became commonplace for U.S. companies in Asia, South America, Mexico, and elsewhere. The U.S. economic engine kept going as citizens continued to spend, send even their children out to work just to stay even, and were told the future was rosy because home prices would escalate forever. Everybody would have a bundle in later life.
The ship was kept afloat by social laws that were passed in the 1930s and 1940s, and more and more people who had lived high off the hog then were now struggling with menial jobs and took on second jobs just to stay afloat. Corporate profits in America went through the roof. The biggest (and most immoral) profits were protected in health care, pharmaceuticals, and especially war-related industries. The "protection money" was what was purchased in Washington, DC where both Democrats and Republicans were in the hip-pockets of these industrial behemoths. The huge corporate benefactors saw to it that they were needed in the political life of each elected politician because election campaigns became more and more expensive. Therefore more and more "protection money" was handed out for favors to big corporations.
This meant sweeter and sweeter deals for health and war-related industries. To hell with those corporations that weren't in on the deal! We needed war and sweetheart deals to keep us going. And so the U.S., wanted or not, became the policeman to the world...even where we weren't wanted. And more and more the health-related industries fixed the system so they had exclusive monopolies with no-compete clauses to escape free-market competition in drugs and services. Health costs everywhere else in the world were far, far cheaper than the U.S. We no longer had a capitalistic system, we had corporate socialism guaranteed by the federal government.
That was not enough. There is no end to corporate greed. It will always seek more. And so the straw that broke the camel's back was the gross economic greed of the financial industry along with other industries. And when the entire house of corporate socialism came tumbling down and there was loathing to blame any right-winger, enter a black man who runs for president against a campaigner [McCain], already discredited by then-current President George W. Bush when he lied and lambasted John McCain in a South Carolina primary. Throw this black man to the wolves. Get McCain to select without proper inspection a dizzy Governor of Alaska as his running mate. That should guaranty the election of a black Democrat to blame when the house of cards comes tumbling down.
That's still not enough. The financial industries and banking giants had so mismanaged their money that they began collapsing from sheer greed and ignorance. Save these immense, mismanaged giants and throw a trillion federal dollars at them. Why not? In corpoate socialism the federal government has a role to play [for greed capitalists, not the majority of Americans]. This now means that it would be like you or I going to Las Vegas with a plan to score big. We gamble, and when we lose all of our money [as U.S. corporations and financial institutions did], the federal government simply gives us more to play with. Eventually we might hit a jackpot. But instead of quiting gambling, we give ourself a huge bonus.
So we have experienced the death of American capitalism, once the envy of the world. It has been replaced by corporate socialism here. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for the U.S. Meanwhile the social democracies of Western Europe have removed the fear of getting sick with universal health care, and have lessened the fear of job loss with guarantees for all citizens, and have not had to ship their industrial labor jobs to underdeveloped nations as the U.S. has done. Time will tell if Europe can survive the death of American capitalism. China is rising with a different economic plan.
Say goodbye to American capitalism. It was a good run. Hello corporate socialism, and the death of the American middle-class.
This blog transcends political posturing or opinion; it is a historical document of the past 100 years. Among blogs, this one is amazing in its scholarship, insight, and extraordinary ability to cover sweeping historical concepts in the short space of one blog. Kudos.
Lo and behold Lester, your explanation is good. You are so right in the death of the American middle class. Only government can screw things up as much as they ALL have for the past decades. Corporations that moved out of country did so to survive. Wouldn't you? Correct on the bailouts also! Now, with the new Democrat sponsored tax plan for banks, the majority of banks will be hurt even more, even though the tax will be passed on to consumers. Strangely, Goldman Sacs, AIG and FM/FM WILL NOT BE TAXED. I guess one can call that payback once again as the politicians stuff their pockets with our money. Leave it up to the Democrats to figure out ways to stick it to regular Americans. They have been doing it for decades with the entitlements and where has it gotten the minorities? Worse shape now than ever in history. The one thing I credit Clinton for is capping welfare at 5 years. Of course, he was dragged kicking and screaming to the signing. Result: Welfare folks actually went out and found a job. We all know that entitlements equal votes and votes mean power and power is control. How about that Federal Reserve profit for 2009. $46 billion! Maybe someone can explain that to a non investor like me. Overall, Lester your analysis is good! In your opinion, what is the solution? I'm sure you have some ideas besides full blown Socialism? Please advise the comments that are bound to come out in this blog. Do so before they start ripping this messenger. It would save a lot of anger and possibly create civil dialogue.
Truly a blog of objective merit. There may be some things that are not liked by the right or the left, but that is what objectivity is. And no need for me to get in my political perspective as Gordy did. This is a wonderfully crafted, objective blog!
An objective, scholarly gem!
WHO KILLED U.S. CAPITALISM?
Answer: Federal Reserve Act put the knife in and Barack Hussein Obama is now twisting it just to make sure it will never be alive again.
A marvelous overview of the past 80-100 years. No need for narrow, shallow, partisan commentary as Ares and Gordy seem to have to do. This is a remarkable blog.
Remarkable blog? Somewhat! What I am wondering now is how will those greedy Capitalists react to the situation in Haiti? The same way we have reacted to every disaster in every part of the world, example: the Sunami disaster. Just exactly what would the world do WITHOUT the U.S.? I wonder what Venezuela, Cuba and all the other dicatatorial countries will do in this tragedy. Take away Capitalism and we will be in the same position that every other third world country is. Then what are we to do? Again, America, the last best hope, even with all of our faults. So face it!
Gordy, you just have to try and bring down the discussion to your level, don't you? In a previous blog here, Tom called your bluff and showed clearly how uneducated you are. But you insist on flying your elementary school flag. Venezuela was the first nation to send help to Haiti. And Cuban doctors have been to disasters all over the world in far greater numbers per capita than U.S. or any doctors. But what does that prove? It only proves that you have to insert your silly little comments here that are so inane as to vomit.
I just checked some of the other blogs here. And lo and behold I see Gordy-Ares popping up all over the place. This is their life!!! And they think they are important because of it. This blog by Mr. Schultz transcends their comprehensive ability. Try some of the other blogs that are lower in quality, lower in status, lower in intellect, and lower in historical context. Gordy, you are an insult to intelligent commentary.
Please calm down, all sides! Nobody wins any points with sweeping criticisms, exaggerated charges, and personalizing political commentary. Now please don't write something conciliatory here and then go off on some tangent. Easy does it. If you have something worthwhile and intelligent and insightful to offer, fine...we will all read that carefully. If you want to go way out to the left or right, nobody much gives a hoot.
Kathy, that is interesting. Where did you hear of Venezuela already sending assistance? I'm just curious. I stand corrected if you can direct me to that information. As for the doctors from Cuba? Again, let me know. If you actually were more observant, you would have noticed that I said "I wonder what they will do in this tragedy." All I know is that U.S. aid is coming by air and sea and certainly hope others do the same. And Frank, now you see what making a statement on this blog is nothing more than a call to bring out the level of anger of these people. Kathy is obviously delusional about her own intelligence and it is so sad. She must be at a very high level but her degrading comments prove otherwise. And yes Kathy, I have entered other blogs and it is with such joy because I don't end up defending my intelligence. Thankfully, there are people who can debate with a certain level of civility on the issue rather than put others down. Could it be rising anger at the failure of this administration thus far? Still hoping for their success but will not hold my breath. I will just hang on for the ride.
P.S. Kathy, I now know that I have struck a blow to your insane commentary. You continue to reveal who and what you really are. Every time you open your keyboard you expose yourself more. Try a little harder to show some class and we all will appreciate it more.
Very thorough, and doesn't even hit on how our food has been hijacked. Back to Earl Butz with "get big or get out" of farming, we are being force fed corn in everything under a subsidy program, and the great profession of farming is turning into feed lots and manure lakes.
This gets my vote as the best blog I have read anywhere. It is not partisan, it is historical.
Incidentally, Gordy, why do you insist on politicizing everything? Yahoo has covered the entrance of Venezuelan aid, and it is well-known how Cuban doctors have been used in Angola, Southwest Africa, during the Tsunami, and everywhere in the world. The Cuban doctors, unburdened by greed, are supplied in greater numbers per capita than any doctors in any nation. But this is silly rhetoric. And what I just wrote is known by any educated, intelligent reader. It is not my obligation to instruct you out of kindergarten, Gordy. Only one Republican and dozens of Democrats in Congress have called for immediate aid to Haiti when Congress reconvenes. So? That proves nothing, but some left-winger or right-winger, acting in a silly fashion like Ares and Gordy, will twist it and try to concoct some silly, FOX-inspired fiction of it.
Steven c, thank you for the history lesson. I am not politicizing ANYTHING. I simply stated that I wondered what they would do. You, so eloquently have advised me on that and I thank you. I might add, EVERYTHING is political and you know it. This happens to be a wonderful happening for the Democrats because it takes the heat off of them for a while reference the health insurance debacle. And yes, those darn Republicans just want to starve children, the people of Haiti and destroy all those who don't have it as nice as we do. Is that your thought? Shameful, but is exactly how the Democrats usually portray the Republicans. I'm fed up with all of them as are the majority of Americans. We need a major house cleaning in Washington and it WILL start in 2010. And forget the kindergarten comments because it belittles your highly qualified comments. However, any kindergarten student can figure out what this group of thugs is doing in Washington. It surely doesn't take a rocket scientist. Wake up!
Gordy: just read what you wrote above. You say you do not politicize ANYTHING. Read it, Gordy and everybody. Do you see how deranged that statement is? Read what follows.
Read the contradiction: "I am not politicizing ANYTHING" and then "EVERYTHING is political and you know it." Just read his stuff. I love it when the little boy shouts "and you know it!"
Poor baby.
It's time we put aside our petty squablings here because nobody gives a darn about our shallow rants and rumbles. Celebrate the high quality of this blog.
Mr. Schultz doesn't have to do this for nothing, and we should acknowledge his quality blog; it surpasses what other blogs offer. I find it of high quality.
It is of high quality but it USUALLY is also very liberally biased. Well worded and articulate but the underlying theme is always the same. First it was bash Bush and now it is bash capitalism. No matter what the Tom's and the Kathy's say, I will continue to rip whatever I believe to be wrong and biased. If that is too hard for folks to swallow, I'm sorry! And Tom once again, can't seem to figure the difference between "politicizing" and politicizing. Politicizing by the politicians is REAL while my comment was NOT politicizing. I guess that is the way of Washington and liberals AND conservatives. Oh my, what can be done?
Gordy, you really believe that you know what you are talking about when you don't even know the English language. You are a silly political hack who puppets what the right-wing propagandizers want you to say...and you do it very poorly. You are a sucker for right-wing wealthy manipulators. You are a rather poor stooge for them.
Taking Kathy's lead, I looked at your comments at other blog sites. That is where you belong, among the crude, uninformed, uneducated, and distorting buffoons. Good for them. But you are in over your head here. AND YOU KNOW IT! Crudeness, ignorance, lack of education, unobjective media garbage, and inability to face your own inadequacies have rendered you pathetically inept...AND YOU KNOW IT!
Am I the only person in America that could give a rats a*s about what's going on in Haiti right now? What has Haiti contributed to the world besides AIDS? The answer is zip, nothing; it’s a worthless welfare state full of sub human debris. If we don't stop Obama soon America will become a Haiti, we're on that slippery slope now.
So open your tiny eye slits you Liberals and look at the television footage of the misery of the Haitians and think to yourself, unless we rid ourselves of those in power (Obama et al), fix our present economic problems without "bailing out" failed industries and financial institutions, and begin to prepare for the future, there but for the grace of God, go us.
Let me channel Obama's Preacher for a moment: "Haiti’s chickens are coming home to ROOST!"
Tom, I truly suggest you find your sources of news in a different location. You obviously are clueless so you rant at those who are truly informed. It is the likes of you and others like you who have made it possible for this thug administration to rapidly attack our freedoms. DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON OR DO YOU JUST HAVE FUN RIPPING WHAT I SAY? I suspect the latter because if you were really informed you would be able to back up your ridiculous comments with truth. With your lack of knowledge, I would think that you are unaware of Mr. O's latest slight of hand with the banks. Tax the heck out of the banks that got the bailout and paid it back with interest. Now there is a bright idea for passing on the cost to consumers. And how about the auto industry that got the bailouts? They don't have to pay a tax because they are the unions, which is leading this President by the nose. Payback is the name of the game. Now that is the proposal, so let's see how far he gets with it. Look at that, I educated you on another topic. I'm waiting for you to call me a liar or debunk what I said. And how about the union members who do not have to pay a tax on their health insurance while non-union members do! He sure knows how to create jobs however! He says 2 million while the fact is 4.1 million LOST. Now, what say you oh intellectual one?
Oh, this one's easy, Gordo. All I ask is for readers to read the comments of Gordy above, and those of his twin, Ares. Now tell me folks, reading their own words, are they human or not?
They have absolutely no compassion for others, whether they be neighbors, minorities, sick people, Haitians, out of work laborers, auto workers, the poor, ad infinitum. Just read their take on the human race. Are they human?
Remember, it is not I who wrote those inhuman words, it is in their own words. OMG, read what they write above. No one has to go any further. How would you like your father, uncle, son, daughter, or sister writing such inhumanity? Yikes!
Notice how proud Gordy and Ares are about what they have written above.
Since Gordy and Ares are not on topic with this blog ever, they could comment on almost anything instead. Read what they choose to say in their own words. And they are proud of it!
Just the FACTS Tom, just the FACTS! So sorry you don't see it but that is your problem. Maybe it is you who should add your petty comments to some other blog. I'm sure they would be excited to get the delusional abstractions that you bring up. And yes, I am proud of what I bring up because I am a member of the truth squad and the common sense squad. Not, as you, the hater squad who can't come up with something more intelligent to say that has any bearing on ANYTHING! I accept that you are hopeless but will continue to try to bring you into the light of knowledge. I am getting older however, and hope you come around pretty soon. Have you sent your donation to Haiti yet? I have. So do you think that I still hold disdain for the unfortunate? Get a life and get real or keep quiet.
It is absolutely amazing that Ares and Gordy can be so lacking in human feeling, and then be so proud of it, and finally blame someone else. Gordy, have you absolutely no feeling for your fellow human beings?
Why do you feel you have to demean people to make your point? Nobody is making any other point than asking others to simply read what you write. There are intelligent viewpoints that are offered by conservatives and Republicans, but yours are filled with hate for humanity. Can we get back to the blog's contents, please? The off-subject attacks here are sickening.
Hate for humanity? Where in the world do you get that? Please explain! As I have said before, I usually make positive comments about Schultz and then add my thoughts and the rest is history. One jab after another by the likes of Tom and Kathy. I will continue to defend myself against their arrogant, unintelligable comments. And now I will make a comment AGAIN, referring to the blog. THOSE DARN GREEDY CAPITALIST CORPORATIONS ARE SENDING MILLIONS TO HAITI. I suspect that fits the blog. If not, too bad.
It's not an argument or distortion, Gordy. Folks, just read what he writes. Period. Gag. Hateful.
Gordy, get off your high horse and PLEASE keep your comments, as a gentleman, related to this blog. All people have to do is read your comments and they can draw their own conclusions. They disturb me greatly, but trying my best to keep on subject: Mr. Schultz, it seems the GOP unity is forcing the Dems to make some serious adjustments in their economic plans. As you wrote in this blog, both parties are in the hip pockets of huge corporations, health giants, and financial conglomerates. Losers: the U.S. public.
YOU PEOPLE ARE TRULY HOPELESS, HOPELESS, HOPELESS, HOPELESS! Apparently, all you are looking for are the puppets who will agree with what you say. If you think my very first comment to Lester was not as per the blog, you obviously don't really care. You just look for an outlet to release your rage. I pity those who must deal with you on a daily basis. Frank, you justy said almost exactly what I said about the politicians and the corporations. Are you too blind to see that? HOPELESS, HOPELESS, HOPELESS, HOPELESS!
Let's put an end to this silly backstabbing. All that has been suggested is you read what Gordy and Ares write.
Period. Judge for yourselves.
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