Given what's happening, I think it's time to bring it up.
Probably the most hated word in America.
I'm talking, of course, about Nationalization.
I recently posted a photo and comment on Facebook, asking what would change when the oil slick reaches the beaches of the Hamptons. A friend responded, saying she hoped that then we'd finally see some action.
These guys, for example, do not feel beholden to anybody but their bosses, and by extension, their boards and shareholders. But that does not mean the public interest is necessarily considered. The BP spill proves the contrary.
Clearly the current stockholders of those companies have not made their companies act with a sense of this wider responsibility. And it's not their fault. The system is not designed for them to act beyond their own financial interest, nor is the company really motivated to explain to them, much less the wider public, what the larger risks might be.
As a Democrat, I've always believed that it is the responsibility of the government to step in to defend the public good if no other market entities will do so. This failure in the current system could be addressed by the government taking a stake as shareholder in these companies and, linked with regulatory agencies, making sure that the interests of all stakeholders were represented, shareholders and the greater public.
It's time to bring the voices of future generations of people, and wildlife into boardrooms and annual meetings, where the current system has failed. Partial nationalization would do that.
Anybody else noticing how some of the far right-loonies are pretending to be smug, in spite of everything? It's as if as they lose influence, their reaction is either violence or denial. Ran into one comment today from one of these poor losers, pretending that without the tea-baggers, progressives would have nothing to talk about except our "disappointment" over Obama.
Disappointment?
Hell man, I think he's already one of the greatest Presidents ever. Saved the whole shebang from going down the economic tubes in his first months; built a meaningful, symbolic bridge to moderate Muslims (picked up the Nobel Prize for that one); and pushed through the beginnings of a health reform program that FDR couldn't do, Kennedy couldn't do, Johnson couldn't do, and Clinton couldn't do.
So I love how these jerks can only get their sad laughs by
attributing to liberals emotions that they themselves are feeling.
"Disappointment"?
Only that we have to drag morons like him along.
Progressives are working hard and gaining ground bit by bit, pushing
the country back in balance from the excesses
of the past, learning the lessons from failed foreign policies, failed
financial deregulation, gutted educational and social programs, and the
loss of the common-sense notion that we are indeed our brothers
keepers. Selfishness is not a virtue, and these reactionaries can't hide behind the old "it's actually better if I let you sink
or swim on your own" attitude.
So I invited my right wing commenter pal to consider a move. "If you're afraid to pull your
weight plus a little bit for your neighbor, pack up & head for the
no-holes barred brutality of modern feudalism in the new Russia. It's
fish or cut приманка there, and to hell with the next guy. You'll feel
quite at home."

Good afternoon, Since the House of Representatives voted to pass health reform legislation on Sunday night, the legislative process and its political impact have been the focus of all the newspapers and cable TV pundits. Outside of DC, however, many Americans are trying to cut through the chatter and get to the substance of reform with a simple question: "What does health insurance reform actually mean for me?" To help, we've put together some of the key benefits from health insurance reform. Let's start with how health insurance reform will expand and strengthen coverage:
Health insurance reform will also curb some of the worst insurance industry practices and strengthen consumer protections:
Reform immediately begins to lower health care costs for American families and small businesses:
Thank you, Nancy-Ann DeParle | ||
Over at The Wit Continuum, http://thewitcontinuum.wordpress.com/, the question is asked about health care reform,
"is this the first step to a socialist form of government?"
My response... I don't believe the question is legitimate. Government exists to fulfill certain responsibilities in society. Those responsibilities shift over time. A look around the world clearly proves that today countries that offer public health care spend a lower % of GNP for better care for more people. It's simply a more efficient system, using competition to force all health finance providers to deliver better service for less.
Did public schools make the US "socialist"? Are public libraries a threat to democracy, just because they're public? Are there still private schools and libraries, despite the fact that the government assures a public option for education?? Of course.
This silliness over "socialism" is a red herring, an insurance lobby sound-byte to divert attention from the real debate. The US is no more socialist than it was last week. It's just a better country.
PC took a suicide dive off the dining room table today.
Considering this a sign. Repair or replace... whichever; this may take some time.
Let's pick up the dialogue in January.
Warmest holiday wishes to all.
Best to the neighborhood.
One of my favorite Jimi Hendrix songs, Crosstown Traffic. Recorded in '67-'68 in New York (where else, given the title?) the song's intro features the "Hendrix chord", a dominant 7#9 (don't ask) about which music critic John Perry once wrote "it's the whole of the blues scale condensed into a single chord".
Irishman Foy Vance has done a brilliant version of "Crosstown", and I love him for it. This has become a favorite in my own repertoire. Don't know too much about him, but, as you can see on his website (http://www.foyvance.com/) Bonnie Raitt has said about him "One of the most soulful and powerful singers and writers I've heard in a long while." Coming from her, that's high praise indeed. Check out his acoustic solo take on the song...
From my Facebook status...
Musician, papa, comms consultant. American-raised, in France since 1990.
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