Thanks, Heather. The Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet of destroying our democracy, officially. The enemy to our own democracy lies within our corporatocracy and maintaining the caste system against anyone who is not white, male and privileged. This is February 8, 2022. Is it now time to treat aiders and abetters of sedition as …
Thanks, Heather. The Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet of destroying our democracy, officially. The enemy to our own democracy lies within our corporatocracy and maintaining the caste system against anyone who is not white, male and privileged. This is February 8, 2022. Is it now time to treat aiders and abetters of sedition as the anti-democracy criminals they are— according to our Constitution?
Gailee, I would submit that a large part of what’s destroying our democracy is losing sight of the fact that Capitalism is not very good at distribution. It only can work if it’s wedded to social democratic institutions, a regulatory state which contains its excesses, moderates its raw brute greedy and self-serving impulses, keeps it honest, gives it a human face, makes it work for all of us.
Hmmm, that's a very interesting point, MaryPat -- I hear you saying Democracy let its guard (rules) down and permitted capitalism to run amok. Fascinating idea.
It seems now, tho, that capitalism IS our form of government.
Nope. Other way round. The original Adam Smith wrote very clearly that capitalism could only work as a viable economic system if it were carefully and consistently regulated and managed, and pointed out the dangers if it weren't. We are living his prophesies now. Funny how proponents of Big Capitolism take care never to mention that part of Smith's writings.
SLWeston, Thank you for your kind words. A question: If you don’t believe we have the capacity to regulate and contain Capitalism, what would you suggest as a replacement?
Sadly, BarbaraJo, I'm so much better at criticism-spewing than solution-finding! lol
I have no answer for you. I keep wondering if paring this whole mess down to its basics, one on one, neighbor to neighbor is an answer. It sure feels appealing. The damndemic shutdown, the pioneer-life feel to existence for a while there, meeting people as we walked our neighborhood every evening, that we're-all-in-this-together vibe, the lifeboat camaraderie -- what an eye-opener, brain-expander, heart-softener.
How about community-building and -organizing as a new form of government -- no one in charge, each one sharing their expertise, coordinating with nearby communities?
SLWeston, Though parts of your comment resonated, I, nonetheless, am destined to persevere in the struggle for a more inclusive, pluralistic, multi-ethnic democracy, even when it can be shown, as it often can, that decisions get made for ideological purposes I don’t share. Still, I and fellow travelers will stay the course. We’ll try to affect the agenda, swallow the medicine if outvoted, and be there next time as well….
American Capitalism simply engulfs and destroys whatever is in its path: indigenous communities; the Earth; urban neighborhoods and pastoral landscapes; air, water, sky and ground.
The world is littered with the cancerous affluents of our American Capitalism.
But good liberals and progressives mistakenly enable this violence by blindly segregating into silos of feminism; ecologism; and every conceivable form of activism.
The elephant in the room, our society and in this world, is the cancer known as American Capitalism.
But watch this column - the author, Helen Cox Richardson and the dozens of “commentators.” Where is the critique of the true demon in our society and our souls?
“Souls” I state .... because Americans are oblivious to the addiction of materialism, which allows homelessness and begars on the intersections of our richest neighborhoods, many of which are simply frightened families hiding behind gates.
I think it exists, though not in America, and not by that name, which is an oxymoron. We have to first stop confounding democracy with capitalism, and we need to remember that all economic systems need management. What is referred to as corporate capitalism is not capitalism: it is oligarchy. Get rid of the labels and trying to create something to fit a label. First, take a good look at how things actually work, and what doesn't. There are many examples of different kinds of economies right here in the US. Some are very successful. Ditto overseas, despite the efforts to impose American Corporate Capitalism in as many places as possible.
Capitalism is an economic system that can only function successfully and fairly within a democracy government system which controls it. Democracy sets the rules and values. Currently capitalism in America defies (and buys) the first and lacks the second.
The wealthiest civilization in history, we are told, yet America cannot feed or house or provide safety, not because of a lack of freedom, but due to unequal distribution of food, housing, and protection. Money indeed is the root .....
A Canadian friend of mine sent a TikTok video to me last night which is staggering. To see it, go to tiktok@w.o.r.l.d256 to see their videos and click on "Most Valuable Companies in the World." Beautiful presentation of a nauseating reality of corporatocracy numbers up. very. close.
Thanks, Heather. The Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet of destroying our democracy, officially. The enemy to our own democracy lies within our corporatocracy and maintaining the caste system against anyone who is not white, male and privileged. This is February 8, 2022. Is it now time to treat aiders and abetters of sedition as the anti-democracy criminals they are— according to our Constitution?
I believe that American Capitalism is what is destroying our democracy.
Gailee, I would submit that a large part of what’s destroying our democracy is losing sight of the fact that Capitalism is not very good at distribution. It only can work if it’s wedded to social democratic institutions, a regulatory state which contains its excesses, moderates its raw brute greedy and self-serving impulses, keeps it honest, gives it a human face, makes it work for all of us.
Beautifully stated, Barbara Jo. And I agree with Gailee — I just don’t think this nation is able to tame capitalism as it once did, mid-last-century.
That is a problem with DEMOCRACY, not Capitalism. Sort of like having children owning the parents, and tossing all the rules.
Hmmm, that's a very interesting point, MaryPat -- I hear you saying Democracy let its guard (rules) down and permitted capitalism to run amok. Fascinating idea.
It seems now, tho, that capitalism IS our form of government.
Heart that-- we are a corporatocracy, which MaryPat stated somewhere around here...
Nope. Other way round. The original Adam Smith wrote very clearly that capitalism could only work as a viable economic system if it were carefully and consistently regulated and managed, and pointed out the dangers if it weren't. We are living his prophesies now. Funny how proponents of Big Capitolism take care never to mention that part of Smith's writings.
Agree (heart not working). What a difference a context makes.
SLWeston, Thank you for your kind words. A question: If you don’t believe we have the capacity to regulate and contain Capitalism, what would you suggest as a replacement?
Sadly, BarbaraJo, I'm so much better at criticism-spewing than solution-finding! lol
I have no answer for you. I keep wondering if paring this whole mess down to its basics, one on one, neighbor to neighbor is an answer. It sure feels appealing. The damndemic shutdown, the pioneer-life feel to existence for a while there, meeting people as we walked our neighborhood every evening, that we're-all-in-this-together vibe, the lifeboat camaraderie -- what an eye-opener, brain-expander, heart-softener.
How about community-building and -organizing as a new form of government -- no one in charge, each one sharing their expertise, coordinating with nearby communities?
(I'm too old for this other shit.)
SLWeston, Though parts of your comment resonated, I, nonetheless, am destined to persevere in the struggle for a more inclusive, pluralistic, multi-ethnic democracy, even when it can be shown, as it often can, that decisions get made for ideological purposes I don’t share. Still, I and fellow travelers will stay the course. We’ll try to affect the agenda, swallow the medicine if outvoted, and be there next time as well….
I like your style, Barbara Jo.
A renewal of villages. With all that that entailed.
Yes. "Democracy Capitalism", as Frederick calls it.
I’ll second that notion, Gailee.
American Capitalism simply engulfs and destroys whatever is in its path: indigenous communities; the Earth; urban neighborhoods and pastoral landscapes; air, water, sky and ground.
The world is littered with the cancerous affluents of our American Capitalism.
But good liberals and progressives mistakenly enable this violence by blindly segregating into silos of feminism; ecologism; and every conceivable form of activism.
The elephant in the room, our society and in this world, is the cancer known as American Capitalism.
But watch this column - the author, Helen Cox Richardson and the dozens of “commentators.” Where is the critique of the true demon in our society and our souls?
“Souls” I state .... because Americans are oblivious to the addiction of materialism, which allows homelessness and begars on the intersections of our richest neighborhoods, many of which are simply frightened families hiding behind gates.
Heather, not Helen.
Frederick! How do we resurrect (or create) American Democracy Capitalism!?!
I think it exists, though not in America, and not by that name, which is an oxymoron. We have to first stop confounding democracy with capitalism, and we need to remember that all economic systems need management. What is referred to as corporate capitalism is not capitalism: it is oligarchy. Get rid of the labels and trying to create something to fit a label. First, take a good look at how things actually work, and what doesn't. There are many examples of different kinds of economies right here in the US. Some are very successful. Ditto overseas, despite the efforts to impose American Corporate Capitalism in as many places as possible.
Capitalism is an economic system that can only function successfully and fairly within a democracy government system which controls it. Democracy sets the rules and values. Currently capitalism in America defies (and buys) the first and lacks the second.
Yes. Capitalism combined with the obstinate fight against the diverse society = equal power to each person.
That piece by Heather McGhee has rocked me.
Coupled with racism...(white MALE entitlement with a few women and POC which is such a mystery).
The wealthiest civilization in history, we are told, yet America cannot feed or house or provide safety, not because of a lack of freedom, but due to unequal distribution of food, housing, and protection. Money indeed is the root .....
A Canadian friend of mine sent a TikTok video to me last night which is staggering. To see it, go to tiktok@w.o.r.l.d256 to see their videos and click on "Most Valuable Companies in the World." Beautiful presentation of a nauseating reality of corporatocracy numbers up. very. close.
❤️
"Corporatocracy."