The frustration over social injustice, inspired by Wall Street's flagrant behavior before and after the calamitous downturn of 2008, strikes me as the most urgent issue facing us right now. How to get out of the present slump and build a viable future are tied up together. If unfairness is allowed to prevail -- and gets elected by proxy to the presidency -- there are enough downward trends to insure the American decline that so many commentators predict. In an earlier post I outlined the three main causes of injustice: income inequality, anti-democracy, and the triple threat of corruption, cronyism, and influence-peddling.
The picture looks bleak. Neither political party has found the moral courage to address the misdeeds of the financial sector, which continue today without regret or reform. When wrongdoers lack conscience, the other sectors in a democracy must step in. That's what we do with violent crime and law breaking generally. But this is called a special case. The economy cannot do without the financial sector, which accounts for more than half of all corporate profits. One part, the Republicans, nakedly oppose any attempts at reform. In addition, Wall Street spends lavishly on every kind of influence peddling, and a reform-minded candidate who opposes them will find himself abandoned by huge donors. The system is broken, to repeat a mantra on everyone's lips.
How can a justice movement be mobilized that might continue the start made by Occupy Wall Street?
Here are some possibilities:
1. A grass-roots movement to undo the Citizens United ruling by which the Supreme Court ushered in an era of influence peddling on the grandest scale. A constitutional amendment is the only way presently to overturn their decision, and it is unlikely to succeed. But the issue needs to be kept alive as a focal point for action.
2. Burrow from within. That old Soviet-era slogan points to action inside Wall Street. There are young bankers and financiers who genuinely reject unfettered greed, and we should do all we can to unite them into a movement with teeth. Already a list like the Fortune 500 is being assembled to highlight corporations that are practicing just capitalism, i.e., capitalism with social justice in mind.
3. Elect better candidates. Few people are running for office on a fairness agenda. They are blocked by the current panic over jobs as well as the outraged Tea Party.
4. Bring back civics lessons. One of the most pernicious effects of electing school boards across the country with a bent toward fundamentalist Christianity is that "moral values" is code for narrow-mindedness and reactionary agendas. I know that schools are strapped trying to teach not much beyond basic reading skills, but the Internet is free and open. We need to build websites with celebrity speakers who talk about the ideals of fairness, sharing, democratic cooperation, and altruism in public life. Let's get some inspiration going.
5. Stop defending the indefensible. Corporate America is enjoying the highest profits in 45 years, mirroring a general prosperity among the haves while the have-nots suffer. The same thing happened in the Great Depression, when the wealthy sat on their hands moaning excuses for massive layoffs and their refusal to invest in the future. Demonizing them is tempting and more than a little correct, but in truth all of us who are not suffering should stop sitting on the sidelines. To do nothing is to let the reactionary forces win. Passivity is the same as defending injustice. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that.
I haven't done any deep research for these proposals; they just seem like common sense from a moral viewpoint. I'm sure that others have come up with better schemes based on greater insight. The main thing is that expertise isn't needed here. The ordinary citizen still smells the stink of Wall Street's misdeeds, the lack of accountability, and the shameless profiteering that has ensued since 2008. This isn't a passing phenomenon. Once the fabric of a just society is undone, it takes generations to weave it back together.
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"Noting perhaps the greatest human vice to be greed, he (Alexander Hamilton) surmised that if this passion could be harnessed in service to the state, 'the nation was on its way to power, opulence and greatness.' So he incentivized the speculative interest, prevalent on the dark side of human nature and especially among the moneyed class, to provide the support vital to its success."
That's right. It was planned that way. Read more at
http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/03/pursuit-of-happiness-part-one.html
And what are we Americans doing? Having a gabfest symposium about who is at fault, how it could be fixed, how much it will cost, whose theory is best, how things used to be, what’s the price of tea in China, blah, blah, blah.
I was having a chat with a German friend about the US banking scam, mortgage meltdown, and lack of government responses to the same. She was appalled at the apathy, laziness and arrogance of the American people. She said in Germany millions of families and workers would peacefully strike and shut the damn country down until something was really done.
What is wrong with us? We give all our power to the 1% corporations and their puppet politicians and then arrogantly sit back and debate how it should be fixed? Meanwhile the 1%'s actions have brought us to the worst crisis we have ever faced?
READ THIS ENTIRE ARTICLE: http://www.nationofchange.org/blogs/rudy-avizius/new-world-order-blueprint-leaked-1341428298
ADD THIS TO THE MIX: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57469950-93/obama-signs-order-outlining-emergency-internet-control/
The time for talking is over. We need to do a peaceful intervention in Washington called the "Millions Mad March".
http://twopesos-protestfortheundocumented.blogspot.com/2012/07/millions-mad-march-mmm-request-to.html
LET”S ROLL!
The Citizens United ruling may ultimately fuel the drone of political commercials, robo-calls or even possibly local vote-fixing. However, influence peddling's corruption originates on both sides of the isle and they refuse to discuss or place campaign finances their party's platforms.
It begins with industry and hired lobbyists delivering frequent checks of 'bundled' contributions, and a list of supposed contributors, to Congressional member's willing to accept.
It ends with elected officials keeping any unspent contributions, not recusing their votes on issues where they've accepted money, and even letting the lobbyists write the legislation.
A simple law providing the strictest oversight for bundled contributions and severe penalties for using fraudulent contributors, or that criminalizes the bundling of campaign contributions altogether as a method of petitioning government, could help treat much the cancer at it's source.
Yet, even these simple steps require the assistance of some profiting most by 'playing ball'.
I love your approach of let's do some of what we're able now - to at least make some start restoring the dream a world once wanted to follow. I was taught as a child it's a country where the Rule of Law wasn't conditional for the wealthy and powerful - and ALL humans inherently have Equal Rights under that rule. That work must never end.
Millions of the 99% need to do a peaceful intervention in Washington. It is very similar to alcoholic, abusive or drug addicted parents who can't take care of their families.
The main exception is that "We the People" are not kids, and "We the People" can step in and stop their madness to save ourselves.
Yes, they do. Unfortunately America has lost it's moral compass. The message at the top of American power has trickled down....but it is only those at the bottom who are held accountable.
Woman banker supporting ethical capitalism
Let me know in advance about the debt absolution day, I'll be sure to go ut and rack up some debt to be absolved.
I stop now all we want is truth, pay back the people, look at our backyard. I have nothing left
lol. inside not freedom
I know its feels that you been allowed to be feed to wolfs
No one is backing we the people. I asked that we educate all minorities on the topics and get vote.
Right.
However, I do. And his ideas are so obviously right. He's not trying to redistribute the wealth, which I am also vehemently opposed to (and that's coming from someone who is currently unemployed), but rather he's saying that we need to GET THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS and educate our children that greed is not always good.