Meet Mike White...
By louisehartmann
The latest CEO to threaten his employees if Mitt Romney loses. White is the owner of the industrial equipment firm Rite-Hite – and he recently sent an email to his 1,400 employees cautioning them that should Barack Obama win a second term, then he will have to drop the company’s contributions to employee retirement funds. He also warned there is a “good chance” employees will also lose their healthcare should President Obama win.
Ever since Mitt Romney was caught telling the National Federation of Independent Businesses to tell their employees who they should vote, several CEOs have done just that – including the Koch brothers. And if it works, then this will be just the beginning when it comes to politicking in the workplace. Expect day-long seminars in the future with employers campaigning on behalf of political candidates and feeding their workers misinformation about who they should vote for.
This is the rise of the corporatocracy – as corporate CEOs receive their marching orders from bought-off corporate politicians – and then turn their workers into foot soldiers to campaign and vote on behalf of the interests of the oligarchs. Yet another consequence of post-Citizens United America.
Go to MoveToAmend.org.
Comments
#2
Why are we as American citizens allowing this type of bully behavior to stand?
Citizens United is a travesty.
#3
Proof that you can be rich and stupid. Employers ordering their employees to vote as they say will backfire. Employees may turn against their employer even if they were going to vote his way in the first place. Employees are not so stupid that they believe they need to know how their employer votes before they can make a decision. This is typical arrogant Mitt Romney. He believes he knows what is right for everyone. This effort will cause the opposite effect. When plutocrats believe they can dictate how their employees vote it is a sign of ignorance on the part of the plutocrat. There still lives an independent backbone in the bodies of Americans. We will rise up and put the plutocrats where they belong. They belong in the garbage heap.
#4
I live in Irvine California. For years I listended to Thom Hartmann on KTLA 1150 AM. If you are able to hear him count your blessings. Thom is no longer on KTLA and I miss him a lot. I do get to hear Randy Rhodes, but Thom, Thom is special and wonderful. I miss his dulcet tones. i miss his wisdom. I miss his voice of reason. If you can still hear him broadcast, count your blessing. He speaks for the America we were meant to have; an America for all of us not merely the fithly rich.
#5
Is this not a case for the ACLU? Or someone? Isn't it a federal offense, poorly veiled as the threat is?
#6
This is without a doubt a bigger threat to democracy and freedom than anything we have ever wittnessed. If this play for absolute power is successful our children and grandchildren will live
under the rule of a despot or coalition of despots.
#7
Voter intimidation is Electoral Fraud!
#8
IIntimidation can work both ways. In the past I have not supported violence in the streets as a solution to political corruptness. But, as I grow older and realize the methods we have used in the past to get our views heard or our point of view across to those in power no longer works. To threaten a man or woman that their livelihood could be in jeopardy if you do not obey the master and his or her political wishes, has crossed the line to the point that I am beginning to believe the methods of the protesting crowds in Greece and Spain may be the only way to get our point across to the wealthy who want to control our every move. It appears the only news being broadcasted by the news media is acts of violence against those who would condemn us to a life of serfdom. To threaten a person’s ability to provide a home, food and medical care for his or her family demands the reaction be just as threatening to those who would destroy us and our families, if we refuse to obey their commands. If I call for a direct act of violence and provoke violence against a specific person or group, it could result in me being arrested. At this point I am NOT calling for the people to rise up in violence against those who would threaten their existence and well-being. I am suggesting to those who feel they can yield such threats against us should be aware of the fact, the workers can also raise up in revolt at some point as well. I am suggesting to those who feel they can threaten us and our ability to care for ourselves and our families, that it is a two way street. And, their actions could result in a very different scenario then what they presently perceive. If you beat a faithful dog long enough, the dog will get tired of such treatment and bite back....
#9
I'm sure Mike White complains, as most R do, that D are out to "redistribute" the wealth. However, what Mike White (and all the rest) fail to understand is that redistribution WILL happen at some point - it is inevitable. What he should be worried about is HOW it will happen:
A Rationally, as in giving a little bit of his wealth to allow the middle class to thrive - regardless of politics, or
B. Forcibly, as when starving masses overrun and sack his business and his mansion.
Take your pick Mike!
#10
Didn't we cover this last week? It's OK for unions to tell their members how to vote? Churches do but employers need to be put in jail for doing the same!
#11
Here in California we are battling the lies from the right concerning two propositions that are now on the ballot. One (prop. 30) calls for a very small increase in the income tax of those making more than $250,000 a year and a 1/4 cent increase in sales tax per dollar spent for the next seven years. Prop. 30 is to be used to support our schools in California that are now facing extreme overcrowding in the classroom and the firing of more teachers. The second Proposition is basically for the destruction of private and public employee unions, Prop, 32. Prop. 32 is primarily being backed by the super wealthy in California and more specifically by Charles Munger Jr.. Mr. Munger is a very wealthy business man from California. The prop. Is also supported by a group called Small Business Action committee, a Republican backed Pac. This month the backers of Prop. 32 and those against Prop. 30 received an $11,000,000 donation from a Pac. in Arizona! They are called the Americans for Responsible leadership in Phoenix, Az.. They will not tell anyone who donated the money to support Prop. 32 and run ads against Prop. 30. They simply refuse to disclose the donors. It could be from anywhere in the world with their own agenda this election. This group is not in good standings with the Arizona corporation commission. This is the same sneaky attack against public schools and teachers that we have seen in Wisconsin. They were supposed to send a report to the Commission by July 26, 2012 and have still refused to send the Commission the required report. Big Multi-National Corporations are buying our elections all over America since the Supreme Court upheld the decision for Citizens United. It appears without a doubt, that the Republicans are doing their best to make America a nation of corporations, for the corporations and by the corporations. We are under attack by these groups and we need to fight back at every level, lest we lose the Nation all together. Long Live the Republic.
#12
Your right, akunard, we did discuss this and you were wrong then too! The employers should go to jail, good point. And please tone down the pius attitude, Republican. These employers were actually making threats indirectly to the employees to swing the vote. It never suprises me how low the Republi-pukes will go to throw the vote. They really must be feeling insecure at this point to issue such threats !!
#13
You would have a valid point if the employer could verify how everyone voted..A coin has TWO sides and you seem to think only one side counts. You are showing your insecurity by calling me names. Obama and his Chicago style has taught you well!
#14
Leighmf:
Yes, I agree. Certainly Labor and Employment Laws are being broken at the very least.
If the plutocrats are threatening their employees, they must think they will KNOW how they vote and intend to punish accordingly--I'd respond appropriately with revolution.
#15
Henderson (#4) has a point. How many employees believe the boss is {always| ever} right? Many could very well ignore the threat, voting the opposite.
#5 -- Even though Thom (and Bill Press, and ???) are in Washington DC, there is almost NO Liberal / Progressive Radio -- other than NPR (( Like so much of the country). It's Ironic I have 2 1/2 stations in the far remote Pacific Northwest, while iIside The Beltway has so little.
If you're getting the anti-Corporatist News, realize that most of the US is not -- -- > Thus we have: the outrageous 49%:49% split (almost random, more or less). It may be a simple majority, but we have little more than people -- thanks in large part due to folks rejecting the Corporatists; rather than folks responding to our message, whatever the hell iti may be. Ie: WE gotta quit expecting the Corporatists to keep losing for us.
KenWare (#9) talks of uprising, and he may very well be right. I certainly do not for a second underestimate the overwhelming advance of the Corporatists in the US over the last few decades. "Whoda-thunk?" I wag my head. And yet this year has been extremely educational for many. The obstructionism has been obvious; and the blatant corruption of politics by unlimited money may have reached the saturation point. I suggest that prior to confrontation in the streets ---- (we ARE badly out-gunned by the world's greatest military-industrial-complex), We really do need to build our effective opposition movement. We are way-weak, because so few of us have really known real hardship. From our parents strong middle-class, most of our needs, have simply "been there" when needed. We grew-up EXPECTING that things would be right.
If we have any dreams of People resisting and even tossing-out the corporatists, we need more hard organization, and yes, sophisticated management (call it what you will) to overcome the vast investment-wealth and social-political skills of the global Corporatist Ruling Classes. We need ways of defining our messages and goals (Strategic and Tactical) and then getting our messages out -- to ourselves and to increasing our ranks. Naivety is not the way to win a war.
We've learned a lot, we have many communication channels for information, and we have 49% of The People united, more or less, but that's barely a majority. And we have an increasingly pissed-off disgruntled mass of citizenery. But it's nowhere near critical mass yet -- there's still a hellova-lot of work to be done. and we're way behind the professionally managed, business-investment funded Corporatists. We can't depend on our Representatives to do it for us (Quit bitchin about Obama) they almost all are bought-off patrons of our incoming oppressors. We've gained a hell-of-a lot over the last decade or two, but there is more to do to be viable. Look around, see reality of the situation and start the necessary hard-work, or go find an island somewhere. Best wishes.
#16
akunard, it is not insecurity, it is an honest dislike of Republicans. I have to turn the channel when Romney is shown speaking. If you believe it is insecurity you have proven my point about how the Republicans think of themselves. And, I still think you speak with a sense of piety in your response.
#17
Halfonts, you are missing the point. We have already reached the point where violence may be the only solution. Your belief that we need more organization is admirable, but look around you and ask yourself whether that is realistic or not. It has not worked in Europe or the Middle East. The wealthy are not afraid of your words, but they are afraid of the actions that may be taken against them. People will fight when there is no bread on the table or their children are sick and suffering. We in the United States have had it pretty good so far. But, that could change overnight, sparking massive physical violence against those who have created the problems the population may have to endure. Do not think we are above the people of Greece or Spain just because it has not happened here, yet. So far we have not been asked to carry the burden of austerity and the pain it will inflict on our people. The American way of thinking generally turns to the violent side when pushed into a corner. And let's not forget the D.H.S. has ordered 350,000,000 rounds of ammunition. Perhaps the government knows something we are not privy to at this point in time.
#18
"Rite-Hite" -sounds like Romney's kind of company. That's how he likes his trees back in Michigan!
#19
Writing without anger and rage is not easy. So, most of the time my persona is laughing through the hypocrisy of the current political phenomena. Especially what the mainstream media does not tell and how this media is hardwired to corporate America.
This Sensor Company Mitt Romney is selling off to the Chinese perhaps has very interesting U.S. Patents. Imagine Romney selling off a sole intellectual property within American laws to China custom made profits for decades to come. This has to be a deal better than the Bush war profiteering.
Talk about a very, very, un-American unpatriotic and Republican and Democratic composition in legislation platform that is a counter economic wave of business deals that has transpired for a long time. The disgusting idea is just as bad as the rape controversy or heath care voucher system proposed. Yes, it does wish someone or many might someday reach for their “Dirty Hairy” and let the political punks have it.
Perhaps that is the primary reason to get Clint Eastwood to do those commercials. The commercial derivative in that one famous saying “Punk make my day” with a 357 pointing at a Latino, or of the empty chair will always haunt this Republican party with that very thought to get up and do something in the street. The very idea of sedition creators is upon us.
You better not vote for him or else? Sounds like the Wild West. That just the way they want it to be. Very Wahhabi, America the Persian back yard.
#20
Megalomanic: I find your reasoning and statements to be very true and right to the point on the issues. Thank YOU. I find myself voting for Dr. Stein this election year and it would be great if I thought she had any chance of winning. Mr. Obama has turned out to be a liar and a war criminal in my mind. He claims to be the "jobs candidate"; while we all know he is just another puppet of the Multi-National Corporations that feeds his Kitty for political funding. He must justify his actions to himself by thinking,” I need their money to do good for our nation". Just another self-justifying act of cowardice. He signs Free Trade Agreements for his masters as though it did not matter to the Americans who will lose their jobs because of it. Excuse me while I vomit. And people like our "Thom" will vote for him because his job as a liberal commentator depends on it, not because he really believes Obama gives a damn about the workers of America. I call this being a coward. The fact that Romney will be even worse for Americans than Obama is simply a “cop out". When Americans and the people they listen too finally vote for what is true and honest we might have a future worth handing down to our generations to come. To think we can reclaim our position as the financial power house of the world is almost as humorous as thinking our military will keep us free from the fanatical Islamists. As long as the Multi-National Corporations continue to run our nation our future is sealed and a downward spiral of our economics and civil rights will continue. In all my years as an American, I never thought I would have to be careful what I said in a public forum. But it has happened and the D.H.S. is the real entity to be feared. They purchased at least 350,000,000 rounds of anti-personal ammunition. Why? I think we all know why and any civil unrest will be dealt with deadly circumstances from them. My point is, are we really free to speak our minds and voice our opinions, I think not. So why we can still carry on a conversation via the internet, thanks for your thoughts...
#21
Doesn't the Hatch Act (republican born) apply hear? Can't we sue these employers?
If not, guys you better start learning Mandarin. Or, learn to subsist on pumpernickle or rye stale bread.
I knew as I kept hearing the rhetoric from the GOP, that they didn't care how plutocratic and fascist they had become. And, in a twisted kind of way, set the United States of America marching to a corporate communistic and theocratic society.
Heaven help us !
#22
Why do you hate me so much?
And, please, do not spew out hateful statements that only justify your prejudices without actual and imperical data from the Department of Commerce, HUD, and the Census Bureau.
Common sense if you look at the hike in midwifery licenses tells you that my folks are having their children at home for fear of deportation. We are not so stupid to use our social welfare system when it is inevitable that we would get caught.
Lately, however, I'm beginning to believe that racial bashing whites are genetically inferior because they have failed to racially mix their genes. Look at the royal house of Britain or the Jews where hemophilia runs rampant.
But, you see my people propogate like cockroaches. Eventually, we will overcome even with legal numbers. And, from these numbers El Puma will rise again. Scared now?
#23
Too many once good Americans have been indoctrinated with far-right propaganda and hate speech.
#24
Reminds us of the mass-hypnotic frenzy of Hitler and the 3rd Reich. Rather FASCIST don't you think?
Who moved the Native Americans to the worst lands in the country?
Who took away soveriegn land grant from the Mexicans and made them ranch hands in the new Texas republic or shoved them back to Mexico?
Who assassinated President McKinley due to religious intolerance?
Who impounded the Japanese Americans into concentration camps on our soil?
It's starting to look ugly and unAmerican from the fascist GOP.
#25
Right on, Idaglia, you've got it right!
#26
By the way...beware of the fancy mailers that are being sent to you through the mail. They can be very deceptive. Take one very sneaky mailer from an outfit called Californians Vote Green. It even has a picture of Barack Obama and Dianne Feinstein on the lower left corner. In large print it says "VOTE for a GREENER CALIFORNIA!" Then it highlights some of the propositions they want you to vote for (or against). Most are, in fact, in agreement with the official Democrat and Green Party websites. But there is one that they sneak in that is opposite to the official Democrat and Green party websites. It says NO on 37. The Democrat and Green party web sites say to vote YES on 37, the Food Labeling proposition. On the back of the mailer are more propositions. Both prop 31 and prop 37 are opposite to the Green and Democrat recommendations. If you look at the disclaimer notice to voters: it says that this Californians Vote Green outfit is "not an official political party organization and goes on to say that it "does not necessarily imply endorsement of others appearing in this mailer"....like Obama and Feinstein maybe? Very deceptive! I wonder how many people this will trip up when they go to vote? I suspect this mailer was put out by the anti-labeling food industry for the express purpose of confusing people...what do you think?
#27
Re: Unbiased media. Does anybody have a website that labels media sites (especially talk radio) according to "fairness" in representing both sides of issues? With today's agenda-driven and corporate-owned media, it is difficult to find "fair and balanced" (unbiased) information to be an informed voter.
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Does anybody talk about why we are not calling this a WORLD WIDE CAPITALIST grab for power?
A WORLDWIDE COUP BY THE PLUTOCRATS
Makes more sense to me than all the talks about economy which the Plutocrats want to fail. A world full of eager, hungry, hard working human beings to be the surfs in their KINGDOMS!