Daily Topics - February 23, 2010
By Louise
Quote: "An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics." -- Plutarch
Hour One - Does the economy suck so bad that people are dying at yellow lights and walking away from their mortgages?
Hour Two - "It Could Happen Here" (Thom's Buzzflash book of the month) Bruce Judson www.itcouldhappenhere.com
Plus....Rep. Jan Schakowsky www.schakowsky.house.gov
Hour Three - Could China provoke a worldwide great depression? with....Marshall Auerback www.newdeal20.org & Eamonn Fingleton, author, In the Jaws of the Dragon: America's Fate in the Coming Era of Chinese Hegemony www.unsustainable.org
Comments
#2
@Mark K. why is it hard to get anything done in this country? Hold on let me answer you after I finish watching Faux News......
#3
Will America ever be the same, again? I guess it all depends on ones definition of the "same", is I guess!
When one pages through our history, there is a lot, that is less than exemplary, and is not where we should be going. Unfortunately, that seems to be where are headed!
Consider the state of the current Supreme Court. It seems to mirror the pro-corporatist court of the late 1800's, not ruling on a Constitutional basis, but ruling with the "ruling class"! I don't recall any part of the Constitution, that put the "ruling class" in charge!
There is so much here, I could go on all day, but a few of my pet peeves are: 1) the no justice for war criminals, DOJ. 2) the Wall Street bankers and their attitude toward the the American people, and all people of the world for that matter!
Pick and choose carefully, there are a lot of pitfalls laced throughout our history!
#4
Thom, you don't have to go to such lengths to explain the (ab)use of the name "Democrat Party".
Simple English. "Democrat" is a noun. "Democratic" is an adjective.
#5
What we need are score cards on our lawn
we the people v. we the corporation
with a line down the middle
then put each representative in their appropriate column
#6
I am reminded of Ambrose Briece's dictionary definition of riches:
"The savings of many in the hand of the few."
#7
What we need are score cards on our lawn
we the people v. we the corporation
with a line down the middle
then put each representative in their appropriate column---????
maybe we need to reference current legislation this way---???
this still leaves out any type of progressive outreach.
does the IRS modify taxes from the bottom up with poverty??
#8
The Banks of Marble:
I've travelled around this country
From shore to shining shore
And it really makes me wonder
What the world is coming to
I see the weary farmer
Just plowing up the loam
And I see the auction hammer
A'selling off his home
Cho:
But the banks are made of marble
With a guard at every door
And the vaults are made of silver
That the workers sweated for
#9
Could there be a revolution in the U.S. ? The question isn't could there be the answer is when will it be?? You can look at the progression of events here in the U.S. in regards to the taking away of rights and dismantling of the middle class and it matches almost every other model in world history in which revolution occurred. Almost step by step. I honestly believe it is just a matter of time. Americans are still relatively comfortable but it is changing rapidly at almost exponential rates. Unfortunately people will not start fighting back until they're backed into a corner. At that point the fighting becomes so much more difficult than if they were to start sooner. In addition the majority of the public is not educated on whats going on and how it is being achieved so they feel they are not a apart or can be apart of it.
One of your listeners called in today and said she was ready for armed revolt. That is just one listener. I guarantee you that for everyone that calls in and admits that, that there is hundreds more that feel the same way but are afraid to say it. I believe she was wrong in saying that she would fight the police law enforcement. We should not be mistaken, they are our friends. Like you said Tom they may also very well be our neighbors and are suffering too. We would need to win their sympathy over.
I believe an armed revolt is out of the question at this point and should only be a last resort. I believe our forefathers did set up the constitution to protect us in this sense. That's why they gave us the right to bear arms. Not to protect us from foreign threats, but to protect ourselves from our own government should the time ever come. They knew that it was a possibility based on history.
The way we should be revolting right now is financially. We should be targeting the extremely wealthy. The distribution of wealth is the real problem here. Right now we are financially supporting the entity that is killing us. The way to fight back right now is with financial conservatism and modesty. Pay off your credit cards immediately or as soon as you possibly can and don't use them anymore. We need to go back to a cash based culture. Don't use credit unless it is a severe emergency or life threatening event, but even then pay off as soon as possible. We need to start living frugally in order to do this. Stop buying crap other than what we really need. When products are purchased, buy them from the most local and smallest business that you can afford to buy from. We need to promote renewable energy such as solar since we can't be charged for sunlight (yet). Start getting active locally in politics and start paying attention to whats going on. If you spend less you can work less and then you will have more time to pay attention and educate yourself on the circumstances that are affecting us the most. But most of all spend less.
This is how the wealthy are getting their power. The interest you pay on your credit cards is giving these guys the financial power to rule over you. Also if you are having a mortgage problem then walk away. So your credit takes a small hit. That's still better than paying these guys to hurt you more. People will still give you credit if you absolutely have to have it. They will be desperate for your business.
If we hit them where it hurts them most....in their pocket books then we can start to take back the power that they hold over us!
#10
It is not so bizarre that the banks are basically forcing foreclosures – Thank you Bush !@#&*!
It used to be that the Banksters lost money if properties foreclosed but The Banksters and the Corporations want property for power. They want to control the government, the money, the land, the property, indeed the people.
During the 2009 Presidential campaign I remember a buzz phrase “Didn’t like the direction the Country was going”. I did not understand the phrase. I didn’t know the direction of our Country was in question. Sure we have our differences but to me the “direction of our Country was clear based on the Constitution, Human rights, Civil Liberties…etc. You know self evident stuff.
But this is not true. Our Country has become about fraud, greed, lies, oppression, submission. The more money, the more buying of politicians/political process, and the more land or property than the more power and I sense this is just the beginning.
#11
What kind of country do you want your kids to inherit? If we don't deal with these issues now then our children will have to only by much more serious means!
#12
@Zero G. Thanks for mentioning Sibel. She has more credibility than Jan Schakowsky, who, as you note, hasn't shown genuine opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
#13
I don't believe we can have a revolution based on the historical context and the term "Revolution", even in comparison to our own in the eighteenth century. Those in power own the municipalities,comerce, the corporations, the government, the Armed Services. To have a revolution would mean facing far greater capabilities of those in power than we ever have in the past.
The outcome of a revolution would not rely on fist to fist, or arms to arms as it was historically. Those in power have weapons of mass destruction like bio technology, and surveillance technology.
I don’t believe our protesting is working anymore either. Look at the rnc convention, peaceful non-violent protesters were accosted and arrested, and not just there, it’s happening all over the Country.
It seems revolutionaries would need such capitol that only the politicians, the banksters and corporatists have.
Too we have the added guilt complex or complex of hypocrisy. To actually harm another even if it was in defense.
I believe we are at a point of no return.
Those in power do not believe in “We The People”. They have let us know in countless ways from the Patriot act to Eminent Domain law and lots and lots in-between and “We The People” have slept too long.
A real time revolution here in America, today would be unlike any other anywhere. The cost would be great if not all for not.
#14
We live in a national security state, not a democracy. Sure we hold elections, we can chose one from column A and two from column B, but we can never change the menu.
Jan Schakowsky, Sibel Edmonds has testified under oath. Are you calling her a perjurer? Would you do so under oath? Would you even address the question? If she is merely falsifying, why did the Bush administration place her under gag orders, twice?
If the article I referenced this afternoon is true about the attack on Marja being motivated by domestic concerns, to (is it "djinn up" as in djinni or "gin up" as in engine? [or maybe I've just had one too many?]) support for our Afghan efforts, what does that say about us, our leaders and our media?
One thousand architects and engineers sign a petition saying that 9/11 needs to being re-investigated forensically, is that not news?
But, no, we only hear that European cuts in military spending are a threat to peace: Gates Calls European Mood a Danger to Peace http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/world/europe/24nato.html
#15
1054 architectural and engineering professionals
and 6864 other supporters including A&E students
have signed the petition demanding of Congress
a truly independent investigation.
http://www.ae911truth.org/
#16
Calvo:
I don't believe we have reached a point of no return. You are right about an armed revolt being unfeasible, this is precisely why I think we need to to hit where it hurts the most...financially. Why do you think our enemies have been targeting wall street and financial headquarters? It is the real power behind this mess. I disagree with violence and am against harming anyone, unless they try to harm me physically. I believe we could change things using Gandhian principles and by focusing on depriving the financial power that is behind all of this.
#17
Gandhian.......if only.
Even if there was no more money to be made, not one red cent, not one penny, those in power in this Country (the world) already have all they need, which is The Most. I suppose if we all united and were able to affect the financials we may be able to decrease the rate of wealth hoarding and create a sense of empowerment but don't see how it would change the fundamental caste system that historically laughs at these little "revolts" of peseants as it lives and breathes just as we do. Besides, hypothetical’s are not what movements are made of.
#18
Nice link Zero G.
#19
I think what could unite everyone is showing, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt what actually happened with regards to 911. What American (should we succeed in proving) would stand with the side of those who had anything to do with the atrocity.
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Thom said today "we are almost the exact opposite of the time when it was illegal to profit on war" Talk about an understatement!
Thom have you forgotten about " FutureMAP (Futures Markets Applied to Prediction)"
THE PENTAGON ACTUALLY SET UP A FUTURE"S MARKET ON WAR in 2003. This was not a hoax - as ludicrous as it sounds.
The Pentagon had set up a website and was accepting traders registrations to bet on potential terrorist attacks, assasinations etc.
"The idea of a federal betting parlor on atrocities and terrorism is ridiculous and it's grotesque," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. (2003) NYT
It was a while ago, but we should not forget what we are dealing with and must no let these despicable warmongers prevail.
Thanks for all you do.
Susan G.