Dobbs: America Becoming 'Disturbingly Similar To What We Witnessed In Italy In 1930s'

Lou Dobs may be leaving CNN, but it seems he's determined to go out with a bang. During his final broadcast on the network, Dobbs said America is "moving toward a combination of corporate power and political power" that is "disturbingly similar to what we witnessed in Italy in the 1930s" while he condemned the government's responses to the financial crisis.

WATCH: (H/t Media Matters)

Comments

[Nuyorican21]

Funny as it may seem; I tend to agree with Lou on this one. However, as moderate as Lou is, he is maintains extreme right wing sentiment because he's got this completely reversed. The liberal democratic theory of government states that the private sector economy should be protected from government intrusion. Me and Lou would agree on this to a limited extent. But in saying that these most recent foray's of government into the private sector markets including the health care industry, are only reactionary. The melding of corporate America and American government has, in no way, been limited to today's liberal politicians calling for regulation. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Powerful capitalists will never resist the political power of a fistfull of dollars, especially when it would lead to a fistful of more dollars. In appointing private sector cheerleaders former CEO's in high ranking government positions, Lou's thoughts of facism do ring true, just not the way he means. Corporate America has indeed taken away Main Streets only bargaining chips, that being representative government.
Your right Lou, the lines between the private sector and American government have been blurred, but not solely because of a bailout. Our politicians didn't take power from Wall Street, Wall Street bought its power, and government was quick to suscribe to seductive free market ideology, it seems as though history is often lost in the minds of the ideologues.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

When talking heads become the subjects of their own commentary, it's high time for them and me to move on.

[markinaz]

Well, as long as the trains run on time...

[Andman0121]

SIGH! What is it with conservative pundits lacking even a microscopic historical perspective? Italy in the 1930's??? I swear its like they absolutely must resort to hyperbole and overdramatic whining. It reminds me of the girls I went to high school with when badmouthing one another behind their backs.

[kimbanyc]

You are right Lou. Who is doing the intimidating? Who is bringing the weapons to rallies. Who is paying for the " grass roots " rallies? Who is paying for the shouting crowds? ETC - ETC

[S1m0n]

My, the irony.

[Robin Anderson-Forbes]

Was that what he said in his final broadcast? I ask because that clip was posted by media matters on the 31st of March. Not that I like Dobbs; because I don't - he's one of the reasons why I gave up watching TV.

[mikebarden]

Oh Solo Mio, Oh Solo You-o.
Oh Solo Them-o, Oh Solo us-o.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Only in your dreams, Lou, will our country go the way of Il Duce's Italy...

We The People have no interest in your authoritarian appeals to xenophobia and willful ignorance, no matter how much your fellow travelers the teabaggers and their corporate sponsors may claim it so.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

One of the 47 Million Declared "...not profitable enough!"

[protagonia]

Well put!

Seconded.

[UsofA]

Yes Lou, I agree, you and other conspiratorial teabaggers are reminiscent of Mussolini's mouthpieces.

[TheCommons]

I read the headline and was prepared to write something snarky about Lou. But I think he has a point for once. And those who want to be at the nexus of that merge of corporate and political power are the republicans in their Tea Party guise. Has anybody alerted Jonah Goldberg to this? He might want to revise that ridiculous book of his.

[tedpikul]

Well uh yeah but with your hatemongering and misdirection you're a part of it Lou.

[Cinnamonape]

Mussolini was once a newspaper essayist, paid by MI5 to keep the Italians in WWI and to suppress the worker strikes and encourage right-wing toughs to go after the socialists and "Bolscheviks". Benito used his position to become the figurehead of the Italian nationalists and lead them into fascism.

Mussolini was "outside" the government. He was tolerated because he was attacking what the government felt was a "common enemy". But soon Benito marched into Rome in front of a mob of protestors and brought the government down.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6873834.ece

[Tulka2]

Thank you. Funny how we can all look at the same thing and come to such a different conclusions, eh? Fanned, btw.

[taddles]

Lou Dobb's is becoming disturbingly similar to Beck and O'Reilly.

[LeftLeaner]

He's right that America is moving towards or should I say, has moved towards Corporate and Political Power becoming one. Anyone who disagrees is an idiot.

Wall Street bailouts and no Main Street bailouts for starters, clearly shows the way the wind has blown in this country.

It is called Fascism pure and simple.

[protagonia]

How and when did this downslide begin here, in your estimation?

[Raccoon1]

about fifteen or twenty years after Lincoln - when the railroads and bankers bought the Republican't party.

[TheBaffler]

It kicked into high gear with Reagan.