Guest editorial by Ernest A. Canning
“In a time of universal deceit — telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
Ah, the 2012 election cycle is fast approaching. The Plutocrat (aka ‘Republican’) Party is in the process of garnering funds from far-right billionaires like the Koch brothers in order to present their usual “jobs, jobs, jobs” propaganda.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs” will come to us not only by way of paid-for political ads, but by way of corporate MSM “coverage” which will conveniently neglect to mention that the GOP-controlled House has not offered a single bill that would create a single job, or that the 2010 GOP “victories” have merely produced an all out assault on the middle-class including an effort to eliminate Medicare, an assault on the fundamental right to engage in collective bargaining, and drastic cuts in programs designed to protect the health, safety and economic well being of the vast majority of the American people at the same time they tirelessly strive to protect subsidies for the oil cartel and tax breaks for billionaires.
Against this backdrop, Robert Reich has come up with this two minute, fifteen second explanation of “What’s Wrong with the Economy…”
What Reich failed to mention
There are a couple of points that Reich, who served as Labor Secretary during the Clinton administration, left out.
Reich makes no reference to outsourcing, which was facilitated when President Clinton, with the aid of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, rammed NAFTA through on the fast track — the critical first step in forcing the U.S. workforce to ultimately compete with the $2/day slave wages in Asian sweat shops.
The so-called “global economy” is but a mechanism for enriching the privileged few at the expense of the democratic and economic aspirations of the world’s working class. It finds its latest iteration in the Korea Free Trade Agreement, which the “Economic Policy Institute estimates…will cost America nearly 160,000 jobs,” and the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which combines outsourcing with the export of one of the few items we still manufacture in the U.S. — guns! (We’ve recently seen the results of such “entrepreneurship” in the ATF’s “Fast and Furious” operation in which that agency allowed the sale of hundreds of guns to Mexican drug cartels in hopes of gaining access to the cartels’ leadership. The guns were found at crime scenes, including “the murder scene of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.”)
Reich also failed to mention the devastating impact upon the civilian economy as the result of the parasitic growth of the military-industrial complex coupled with trillions squandered on U.S. imperial wars of aggression and the billions squandered on the so-called “war on drugs” and the prison-industrial complex; not to mention the seldom-discussed, exorbitant price we pay for capital punishment. In CA, for example, where the death penalty was reinstated in 1978, the state spent $4 billion in order to execute 13 convicted felons. That amounts to $308 million per execution.
The final point to consider as we brace ourselves for the next round of “jobs, jobs, jobs” propaganda is this: What kind of jobs are these spokespersons for the billionaire class, like Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), who proposes eliminating the minimum wage, talking about? Keep in mind that until it was outlawed by the 13th Amendment, slavery provided all slaves with full employment throughout their waking hours.
What a true, progressive ‘jobs’ initiative would look like
We should focus upon the harsh reality of a global capitalist order that seeks to smash the democratic and economic aspirations of working class peoples everywhere, even as its near exclusive reliance on carbon technology threatens humanity’s survival. This could start with an end to outsourcing, fair trade that demands workers’ rights instead of so-called “free trade” that merely frees the billionaire class to exploit cheap labor everywhere.
A real U.S. “jobs” initiative would include an ecologically sensible restoration of U.S. manufacturing that would put our citizenry to work on green technological and related infrastructure improvements. This must be combined with an elimination of the parasitic middle-men in the corrupt, dysfunctional and deadly U.S. healthcare system by way of a single-payer system that treats health care as a right, not a privilege.
All this, along with universal, free public education, including college, an end of massive deficits, and a fully solvent Social Security system could readily be achieved by an immediate end not only of the perpetual resource wars U.S. forces have been engaged in since 9/11, but the closure of the more than 800 military bases the U.S. maintains in other people’s countries. As Chalmers Johnson so forcefully demonstrated in Nemesis, the U.S. maintains those far-flung bases not for purposes of defending our citizenry but for the purpose of maintaining a corporate global Empire as it fattened the coffers of private contractors, like KBR, and private mercenary firms like Blackwater (now known as Xe).
Drastic cuts in the bloated Pentagon budget, along with a restoration of an Eisenhower level taxation on the highest income bracket (74%-91% after the first $3 million) and a restoration of Glass-Steagall and other measures designed to put an end to Wall Street and corporate gaming of the economy must all be included in any true “jobs” initiative.
We must come to understand that “public jobs” maintained by “public funds” for “public projects” that are designed to better the “public good” are real jobs.
We must also come to understand the reality behind the Plutocrat canard that jobs can exist only where there is a so-called “business friendly environment.” As Greg LeRoy describes in The Great American Jobs Scam, “business friendly environment” is but a scam used to get local, state and regional governments to fork over billions by way of tax breaks, subsidies and outright gifts of land and property to corporate America for the “privilege” of private-sector employment.
The answer to the “business friendly environment” canard is public jobs for public good.
The squandering of public funds in the competition between local, state and regional entities for private-sector employment doesn’t create jobs. It simply shifts public funds from one region to another as it depletes the funds needed to maintain the health, safety and education (the “general welfare”) of our citizenry. Yet, in election-after-election, we find the unthinking corporate media acting as nothing more than a megaphone for the same tired “pro-business”, anti-citizen lie.
Ernest A. Canning has been an active member of the California state bar since 1977. Mr. Canning has received both undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science as well as a juris doctor. He is also a Vietnam vet (4th Infantry, Central Highlands 1968).
ain’t DAT da truth bruddah!
The term which is probably more apropos is “monkey business environment“.
In government circles, not telling the truth is an epidemic.
Medicare should be gradually phased out.
Ernest, I’m printing out a copy of this and the next person that shrugs their shoulders and says, ” what can I do its all too corrupt and I’m just one person”, I’m going to hand them a copy and tell them to read it and discuss it with the people they care about no matter what side of the fence, to get our America back. I’m gonna tell them to quit listening to whack jobs promoted by billionaires and silent critters in the media who aren’t doing their job, but moving up a ladder also owned by those billionaires. Thanks for being succinct and substantive!
Oh yeah, I’m printing the links too.
Davey Crocket @ 3:
Yes. When more than 80% of the country loves one of the most successful programs in U.S. history, but it could be replaced by a private system which costs more to administer and would provide far less health care for the nation for each dollar spent, it should definitely be “gradually phased out”.
Will the genius of the Right never cease? Sigh…
Bradley, do you have any experience with Medicare?
Hey there Davey, I took care of both of my parents as they passed, and yes medicare did what they put in all there working lives for it to do. Are you independently wealth or something, or you haven’t gotten to that point in life yet?
And what I really was going to say is…given what the supreme court has been doing, here another piece of the fall of our Rome from Democracy Now Headlines:
Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Public Financing Law, Ban on Violent Video Games
In one of its final decisions of the term, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of Arizona’s public-financing law on Monday. In a 5-to-4 decision, the justices invalidated a key part of the law that provides additional public money to political candidates for state office who face big-spending opponents. The Supreme Court also struck down on First Amendment grounds a California law that barred the sale of violent video games to youth. Meanwhile, the high court rejected an appeal from former prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq who wanted to sue the military contractors CACI International and Titan Corp over claims of abuse and torture.
Nice, huh Davey.
I took care of my dad and am taking care of my mom now. My wealth or lack thereof is not the issue. The fact is that Doctors, Hospitals and other service providers are more clever than the gov. and know how to maximize their profits at your expense.
Never separate the service from the payment. When you do, efficiency goes way down.
To Brad’s point…who would not support a giveaway? As I grow older, I am steadily moving to the left, looking for all the handouts I can get. I will pass them on to my progeny and vote more entitlements for me. The gov. seems to have an infinite supply of money.
Seems like a bad idea, but it has sure worked for me!
I could have a field day with your comments Davey, but I gotta go study. See ya in the wash!
Oh, Ancient…one more thing. When I was a kid, I had a dog named “Snoopy.” Snoopy was hit by a car and died in my arms. I do not remember for sure what make of car it was but I think it was a Ford. My 1980 T-Bird was a Ford too and it was a total piece of junk. Most US cars were junk. Of course the gov wanted to put big tariffs on Japanese cars but reason prevailed and they did not. US car companies had to compete…and they improved their quality and are now on par with the Japanese. It is odd that the Japanese actually made our car companies better when many of our soldiers made the supreme sacrifice while fighting the Japanese in WWII. That brings me back to the Supreme court…what I really wanted to ask…what are you drinking Scotch or Tequila?
Davey Crocket @3 wrote:
Actually, Davey, Medicare should be extended to every citizen so as to bring the U.S. in line with every other industrialized democracy.
The U.S. healthcare system is so corrupt and dysfunctional that 45,000 Americans die each year simply because they can’t afford coverage. On a per capita basis, Americans pay nearly double the cost of medical care in single-payer countries, yet our health delivery system ranks 38th.
Instead of phasing out Medicare, we need to phase out the health insurance cartel, their CEOs and Wall Street investors. We need to force price controls on prescription drugs.
While we’re at it, Davey, we should phase out every corrupt member of Congress who stands in the way of a single-payer system while they hold their hands out for insurance industry campaign dollars.
When you force price controls on drugs will it limit innovation?
How long does it take to bring a new drug to market?
What percentage are never approved?
Davey Crocket said or asked @ various:
I’m younger than 65, so I don’t have personal experience, if that’s what you’re asking. Yes, I have relatives who have such experience, and speak to many in the medical profession about it (including many members of my family who are in the medical profession – Doctors, if you’re wondering).
So neither of them use Medicare then? (Not judging, just curious. But if they’re not, one would wonder why, since they paid into it, presumably.)
Ah, yes. Fraud, waste and abuse. Agreed. None of that going on with private insurance though, right? That, along with the exorbitant administrative fees and profits that private insurance adds to the cost of medical care ABOVE and beyond any waste, fraud and abuse (unlike in Medicare).
So, you would like to “gradually phase out” private insurers as well, I take it.
What giveaway? Did you not pay into Medicare like rest of us?
Medicare is not a hand out. You paid for it.
“Entitlement”? You mean the coverage you are entitled to, since you paid for it? Okay.
Apparently they do when it comes to wars and giveaways to corporations and rich people. Just not infinite enough of a supply for the folks that actually need it, I guess.
No. Unless you have evidence to show otherwise? (Don’t worry, I’ll wait.)
BTW, innovation isn’t much use if you die because you are unable to afford the innovation.
Thanks for the strawmen!
FTR, Medicare has nothing to do with how long it takes drugs to get to market, or be approved. But if my argument was as week as yours, I’d be looking to change the subject too.
not to stick up for Mr. Crocket but I believe he was replying to Ernie’s statement that “We need to force price controls on prescription drugs.” and not building a “strawman”
I see that both Davey and WingnutSteve have bought into The Myth of High Drug Research Costs
Take time to read the linked article. Who knows, even Wingnuts may come to realize they’ve been blinded by the right.
Who says I’ve bought into anything? I merely responded to the strawman accusation.
Now I’m responding to your arrogance that you somehow automatically know what I have “bought into”.
Brad, do you smoke? Your picture appears to indicate so. Are my medicare dollars going to pay for your poor habits? Sorry, I guess that is a non sequitur.
My parents have drawn far more from medicare and SS than they ever put in. Where did it come from? It was a giveaway. Those entering the workforce today will see only 70% of their investment return to them based on the current formula.
It takes an average of 14 yrs to bring a drug to market and roughly half do not make it. Those inventing the drugs are entrepreneurs. If you quash their opportunity to reap the rewards of their innovations they will do something else or go somewhere else. WingnutSteve is correct w/r to my reply.
The bottom line is, liberals (you, Brad) believe the government is the answer to everything. I, on the other hand, believe that companies should fight for my business, and by doing so will reduce the cost. I do not believe those companies are saints or even good for that matter. I believe that their greed coupled with competition works to my advantage. Anyone with even a small brain can figure this out.
Back to my opening, smoking does more harm than you will ever experience from nuclear power plants, fossil fuels, greedy companies, fracking, or anything else.
Canning,
You are a lawyer, and a hoot!!
Lawyers draw income from conflict.
Lawyers do not create anything.
I am guessing that you never created a business that produced a product. Yes, it is a guess. Tell me if I am wrong.
If I am right, you know nothing about R&D investment from personal experience, and the risks associated with being an entrepreneur.
Lawyers know no risk. They get paid regardless of who wins–paid by the hour no less!
Where ignorance is bliss, tiss folly to be wise.
You know, this blog is pretty damn boring when I don’t comment!
WingnutSteve @ 14 said:
Understood. Though still not sure how those two questions had anything to do w/ price controls on prescription drugs (which, btw, nobody is talking about — though they are talking about negotiating better prices, ya know, how Walmart does since they buy in bulk? Republicans won’t let them however. Wonder why. It’s as if they are in favor of more government spending or something. Go figure.)
WNS,
Brad and Canning are mind readers. That is good because it saves me some typing. LOL
Davey Crocket @ 17 said:
Much as mine goes to yours (yes, I know how much beer you drink, and can guess how much high fructose corn syrup you consume.)
I see. Like that “giveaway” you get from your private insurance company when you get more than you put in? Odd how those private, for-profit companies offer so many “giveaways” and “entitlements”, isn’t it, Davey? (Psst. It’s called insurance. Look it up sometime, amigo.)
Nobody has ever suggested any such thing. Though it is odd how Walmart negotiates for the best possible price, and yet companies still make stuff and sell it to them for some reason. The companies didn’t “do something else or go somewhere else”.
A crazy world. It’s almost as if the propaganda Republicans put out to ensure private companies continue to rob from the tax payers is meant to trick people or something. Not that Davey Crocket could ever be fooled, of course.
Thanks for telling me what you have no idea about. Let’s see if you enjoy it: The bottom line is, homophobic fascist anti-semitic pseudonymous cowards (you, Davey) believe it’s okay to have sex with their daughters.
Here’s the deal: You don’t make shit up about what I “believe”, and I won’t make shit up about you. K? If you’re argument isn’t strong enough to make w/out pulling shit out of your ass, you probably shouldn’t be making it here.
That’s odd. Me too. Go figure.
When competition is made illegal by Republicans who force into law that the Government cannot negotiate pricing, the way any private company would, there is no competition, there is no “fighting for your business”.
The bottom line is, those who don’t believe in competition (you, Davey) believe government should be forced to waste money by paying full price, when nobody else does.
(That’s fun, huh?)
And yet, the party you support has actually legislated that there will be no bargaining or negotiating and, in most of the large government contracts over the last 10 years, that there will be no competing for contracts. (See billions in tax payer welfare to Haliburton no-bid contracts, for example.)
So while Democrats have tried to allow the government programs, such as Medicare, to leverage corporate greed so that competition may work to your advantage by reducing costs, Republicans have not allowed them to do so.
And, to make matters worse, you are seemingly gullible enough to believe the Republicans when they tell you that it’s Democrats who want “price controls”.
When you get time, I’ve got a really nice bridge you may be interested in investing in. Give me a call!
Interesting that Davey had to add some gratuitous and false lawyer bashing to his post. The idea that lawyers do not create anything is patently false. Intellectually property, which is one of the few areas in which the US still runs a trade surplus, iirc (think Disney and Microsoft), is created with the assistance of attorneys. Our entire commercial business system is much more stable and predictable because of the efforts of attorneys. Ask a businessman from a foreign country who doesn’t have “power connections” in their country and they’ll tell you how wonderful our system is compared to the one they left. Another way to think about it is that, historically speaking, attorneys have replaced soldiers and self-help use of force when it comes to resolving a huge number of conflicts between individuals, businesses or both. Are you saying soldiers are unproductive as well, Davey? Sound to me like perhaps you drank the anti-lawyer kool-aid spewed by the cult capitalists (who, though they often won’t admit it, pay hordes of attorneys to protect to their interests).
Wow! You say that I am a homophobe anti Semite committing incest? I thought I simply believed private enterprise was a better solution than big government.
I am sorry I called you a liberal. I take it back.
It’s amazing how many people proclaim to hate lawyers until they need one.
Oh no, I do not hate lawyers!! One of my best friends is one and lawyers are my primary source of income!!
I was simply contrasting your experience to entrepreneurs w/r to R&D and risk.
When properly practiced, lawyers are a necessary element of our society.
To be sure, I was not casting aspersions on you personally.
Hey there Davey, how come your wealth or lack there of is not an issue? It sure is for the rest of us. Hmmm, not part of the majority of us?