As the Empire Crumbles

Observations by Noam Chomsky:

The peak of U.S. power was after World War II, when it had literally half the world's wealth. But that naturally declined, as other industrial economies recovered from the devastation of the war and decolonization took its agonizing course. By the early 1970s, the U.S. share of global wealth had declined to about 25%

There was also a sharp change in the U.S. economy in the 1970s, towards financialization and export of production. A variety of factors converged to create a vicious cycle of radical concentration of wealth, primarily in the top fraction of 1% of the population -- mostly CEOs, hedge-fund managers, and the like. That leads to the concentration of political power, hence state policies to increase economic concentration: fiscal policies, rules of corporate governance, deregulation, and much more. Meanwhile the costs of electoral campaigns skyrocketed, driving the parties into the pockets of concentrated capital

Sources:

Is the World Too Big to Fail? The Contours of Global Order, Truthout, Noam Chomsky, April 21, 2011.

Maryland Tax Delinquents Named

Maryland Tax Delinquents named by Maryland Comptroller's Office:

The Comptroller of Maryland is serious about retrieving unresolved tax liabilities. As a part of the collection process, we publish the names of businesses, individuals and corporate officers having large unresolved liabilities - including individuals who have large unresolved personal income tax liabilities. All of the information is public since liens and judgments have been recorded in the judgment dockets of one or more circuit courts of Maryland.

No one is above the tax laws. If you don't want to see your name posted on our site along with other tax delinquents, be sure to keep up with your tax obligations.

Wealth Gap and Revolution

Lately I've been dwelling on the social strains caused by the wealth gap in the US. Everyone should know the difference between "income gap" and "wealth gap;" income being the annual revenues and wealth being the accumulated revenues or savings. The wealth gap is actually more pronounced than the income gap, but both have been growing for several decades. A recent statistic on wealth gap:

The top 1% of Americans own 40% of the wealth.

The word hoarding comes to mind as does a famous quote:

There is, inherent in the capitalist system, a tendency to self-destruct. - Schumpeter, 1942.

We see it happening before our very eyes playing out in the Washington budget debate. The notion, that giving the wealthy class, or owner class, tax cuts to spur growth is a widely held belief in our society. But this simplistic rule only makes sense when money is tight and production capacity at factories is tight and in need of investment to expand, neither of which hold today; we don't need any more production capacity and even if the owner class were to produce more, the commoners don't have the money to buy the stuff.

What we face is a market that is saturated with production capacity, but no money among we the little people, because the money is being hoarded and used for non-productive speculation. Buying commodities, like grains, industrial metals, oil & gas, have become disconnected from the real economy and turned into a gambling playground for the wealthy (not just Americans).

The tendency is for this kind of hoarding to create social instability (dare I say "revolution"?).
People are catching on to this, and the big questions are 1) will we get to the point where enough people become so destitute that they don't have anything, and thus don't have anything to loose if they rise up? 2) will the honest, wise wealthy people change policies before this happens, if only to save themselves?

Stay Tuned.

Sources:

Show Me the Money, Zine, Autumn, 2001, Tony Honeycut.

Move to Amend Corporate Power

Was skimming the "Move to Amend" News Webpage. The progressive movement has a good hook for action here, changing state constitutions to Define ‘Natural Persons’ as Human Beings, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders Saying ‘No’ to Citizens United, and Madison and Dane County Wisconsin voters moving to amend the US Constitution to check corporate power.


Source:

Graphic: Wisconsin Move to Amend Cow.

GDAE Podcast - Episode 44

Journalism & Democracy in Crisis

• Econ 101: The notion that giving the wealthy class, or owner class, tax cuts to spur jobs and economic growth is a widely held belief in our society... What's the real story today?


• Feature on the Broken Corporate Media: Communications Professor Robert McChesney on Journalism and Democracy in Crisis
  

Play Episode 44:


Click to Download Episode 44.

Turn Over the Hourglass

On May 6, 1935, Pres. Roosevelt signed executive order 7034 creating the largest public works program in history. The Works Progress Administration created 8.5 million jobs during the Depression of the 1930s.

The problem we face today is lack of demand for products and services because all the money has trickled up an little is left for lower and middle classes. It's like an hour glass with all of the sand stuck in one end (among the top wealth bracket).

For the betterment of society we need to turn the hourglass over so that money flows to the people so the people will provide the demand that will generate supply defining economic activity, and lets do it in ecologically sustainable way.

San Jose, CA Board of Ed Stands with WI Unions

Jan Jose, CA Board of Education approves resolution in support of Wisconsin public workers - MORE

Paste into Twitter: http://t.co/bufQOIM

Purpose of the Economy

The field of economics is rife with bias due to powerful selfish interests that influence this social science.

Science or art or what? Henry Hazlitt, in 1946, suggested that "The whole of economics can be reduced to a single lesson, and that lesson can be reduced to a single sentence:"

The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.

I'm not sure this encapsulates the whole of economics, but it does define what the economy should provide for society. That is, it should operate for the broader benefit of society and not merely for the minority establishment. This is the purpose of the economy and this principle should underlie the study of economics.

The Masses Know their Place

From an elitist writing on "The Revolt of the Masses." He separates the elite from the masses.

There exist, then, in society, operations, activities, and functions of the most diverse order, which are of their very nature special, and which consequently cannot be properly carried out without special gifts. For example: certain pleasures of an artistic and refined character, or again the functions of government and of political judgment in public affairs.

Previously these special activities were exercised by qualified minorities, or at least by those who claimed such qualification. The mass asserted no right to intervene in them; they realised that if they wished to intervene they would necessarily have to acquire those special qualities and cease being mere mass. They recognized their place in a healthy social system.

Sources:

The Revolt of the Masses, Jose Ortega Y Gasset, original 1930, translation from Spanish, 1932. W.W. Norton & Co.

US Economy in the Pocket of 1/100th of 1 Percent

This graphic is jaw-dropping. The yellow ball, representing the wealth of one one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%), doesn't even fit into the graphic. Whereas the bottom 90% of Americans is the tiny blue ball.

How Rich are the Superrich?

The top 400 of America's richest aristocrats hoard as much wealth as the bottom 155,000,000 people. - Michael Moore at a Madison, WI rally, March 5, 2011.

Sources:

Mother Jones, It's the Inequality Stupid, March/April, 2011.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

In St. Patrick's honor, lets get rid of some of our own snakes in the corporatocracy.

GDAE Podcast - Episode 43

We Are Wisconsin

• Security Industrial Complex: A concern of both conservatives and progressives. Coleen Rowley, former FBI agent discusses the glut of information being collected and the needle-in-a-haystack syndrome.


• Has the Sleeping Giant Awoken? Michael Moore Madison, WI speech, 3/5/11.
  

Remove Thomas from the Bench: Step 4

Impeach Clarence Thomas

4th Step: Watch the newspapers for an article about Clarence Thomas or the Supreme Court. When you see one, write a letter to the editor, responding to the letter by title and date. Include a call for the US House of Representatives to investigation of Clarence Thomas. You might also mention the complaint filed with the Missouri Bar where Thomas is licensed (If you haven't, contact the MO Bar, See Below) .

If you want a chance for your letter to be published, most newspapers ask that you include your phone number so they can to verify you wrote the letter.

Some grist: Article III, Section 1 of the US Constitution says,

"The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior"

Which means judges can be removed for bad behavior. Clarence Thomas' bad behavior diminishes the credibility of our highest court, which contaminates the lower courts and erodes the public belief in the fairness of our society. This can lead to vigilante justice, which civil societies naturally strive to avoid. There in lies the rational; Clarence Thomas is a destabilizing force in our society hence it is in the national interest to ask Clarence Thomas to step down or be removed.

For Your Convenience:

• Contact the Broadcast Media
• Contact the Newspapers

More:

Some of the issues regarding Clarence Thomas: Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench

Step 4.5, Tweet links to the Four Steps to Take Action:

http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step1
http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step2
http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step3
http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step4

See Step 1 - Contact the Missouri Bar Assn in support of the complaint against Thomas
See Step2 - Contact the media asking them follow up on the Missouri Bar complaint
See Step 3 - Contact your representative in the US House to request and investigation

PS

Go Johnny Saunders (Video)

Why all the Economics Fallacies?

An insight published in 1946 that holds true today:

Economics is haunted by more fallacies than any other study known to man. This is no accident. The inherent difficulties of the subject would be great enough in any case, but they are multiplied a thousandfold by a factor that is insignificant in say, physics, mathematics or medicine -- the special pleading of selfish interests.

Source: Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt

Send Clarence Thomas Packing: Step 3

Impeach Clarence Thomas

3rd Step: Contact US House of Representatives, the people's house. Ask for an investigation of Clarence Thomas. It won't happen soon, but it's our obligation to raise the issue (the right wing always does!).

Some of the issues regarding Clarence Thomas: Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench

My Message to Congress:

A complaint has been filed with the Missouri Bar Association to investigate Judge Clarence Thomas for allegations regarding his taxes. Given other widely publicized partisan activities by Mr. Thomas, the association is being asked to measure the weight of broader evidence relative to rules of conduct for a lawyer.

I would like Congress to consider it's own investigation. Please add me to an interest e-mail list for people following your future investigations into this matter.

The Missouri Bar contact information follows:

mobar@mobar.org
ph: 537 635 4281
fax: 573 635 2811

For Your Convenience:

• Contact the House of Repres

Step 3.5, Twitter links to the Three Steps of Action:

http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step1
http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step2
http://tinyurl.com/CT-Step3

See Step 1
See Step2

PS

Go Johnny Saunders

Remove Clarence Thomas from Supreme Court: Step 2

Impeach Clarence Thomas

2nd Step: Contact Media outlets. Ask them to follow the Missouri Bar Association's investigation of Clarence Thomas.

Some of the issues regarding Clarence Thomas: Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench

My Message to Media Outlets:

A complaint has been filed with the Missouri Bar Association to investigate Judge Clarence Thomas for allegations regarding his taxes. Given other widely publicized partisan activities by Mr. Thomas, the association is being asked to measure the weight of broader evidence relative to rules of conduct for a lawyer.

I would like your organization to follow this news story. Please add me to an interest e-mail list for people following your future investigations into this matter.

The Missouri Bar contact information follows:

mobar@mobar.org
ph: 537 635 4281
fax: 573 635 2811

For Your Convenience:

• Contact the Broadcast Media

Step 2.5, Twitter this link of the story linked above:
http://yhoo.it/gYDni2

See Step 1

PS

Go Johnny Saunders

Ousting Clarence Thomas: Step 1

Impeach Clarence Thomas

1st Step: Contact Missouri Bar Association.

Support a complaint that has been filed with the MO Bar mentioned in this piece: Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench

mobar@mobar.org
ph: 537 635 4281
fax: 573 635 2811

Step 1.5, Twitter this link:
http://yhoo.it/gYDni2

My Message:

I support the complaint filed with your association to investigation of Judge Clarence Thomas for allegations regarding his taxes. Given other widely publicized partisan activities by Mr. Thomas, the association has a solemn responsibility to relax the boundaries of its investigations. The Missouri bar must measure the weight of the broader evidence relative to rules of conduct for a lawyer, rules that should be more closely scrutinized for an exemplary member of society like a supreme court justice.

Thank you for considering this matter. I would like to be added to an interest e-mail list for people interested in following your future decisions and actions on this matter.

Update:

I received the following Reply from the Missouri Bar Assn:

"You need to contact the Commission of Retirement, Removal & Discipline of Judges, here is that telephone number 314-966-1007."

Not sure they can remove this judge!

Call Foreign Embassies in Support of Democracy

If you haven't seen video footage of Mideast autocratic government crack-down, you should see the following: Very Short Video Clip

Bahrain's Army Supported by US Taxpayers (45 Sec.)

Share the link with others: http://t.co/tYGONRw

Phone numbers for Embassies in WashDC:
#Libya 202 944 9601
#Bahrain 202 342 1111
#Yemen 202 965 4760

Hail Homeland Security and ICE

Take Action on Unconstitutional Search and Seizure.

Darrell Issa, Chair Committee on Oversight & Government Reform
Ph (202) 225-3906
Fax x3303

It is unconstitutional for ICE to copy contents of computers, cameras, phones at the US boarder w/o warrant. Arbitrary lists made by the Executive Branch do not constitute a warrant. Ask Issa to hold hearings.

Share/tweet DN! program link:
http://tinyurl.com/ICE-Search

Share w/ conservative groups. Principled conservatives are our allies on civil liberties. Local Tea Party groups, NRA, John Birch Society, Lew Rockwell, libertarian groups.

BRANDON JOURDAN: When I flew into New York from Haiti, after I’d worked for two weeks covering rebuilding projects on schools in Haiti, I had first heard on the intercom that they wanted everyone to have their passports out. I pulled my passport out. When I walked out onto the skyway, two Immigration and Customers Enforcement officers took me by the arm and led me to a Homeland Security room.

BRANDON JOURDAN: They took me to, I guess, a Homeland Security office within the JFK airport. At that point, they began looking through all of my clothes, everything. I strategically put a copy of the First and Fourth Amendment in my bags, because this has happened before, and also on my computer and my smartphone and on my hard drives. They took my journal, all my business cards, all that. They said they were going to photocopy them all. They took—

AMY GOODMAN: Did they explain why they were doing this?

BRANDON JOURDAN: I asked them, “Why are you doing this?” They basically said, “You’re on a list. We don’t know why. These are orders"—

AMY GOODMAN: You’re on a list?

BRANDON JOURDAN: Yeah. And “These are orders from Washington.” And they copied my hard drive. They copied my laptop. They copied every single one of my compact flash cards that I use for my camera, which is absurd to me, because I was documenting people building schools and a country devastated by an earthquake.

Sources:

Democracy Now! 2/15/11 "Authorities Search and Copy U.S. Journalist’s Notes, Computer and Cameras After Returning from Haiti"

Clarence Thomas is a Corporate Operative

I could go on and on about Clarence Thomas, but anyone reading this already should know that he is not acting in good faith. He is not a fair judge and he needs to go. How he got on to the US Supreme Court... well, we know that story too.

So, how do we do that? We know that when right-wingers want to get rid of someone, they have an uncanny way of making it happen (add list here). Part of it is access to more accumulated money (they are staunchly capitalistic). Part of it is access to levers of "the liberal media," which is closely related to the first point. But, in the end it often comes down to rabid numbers of right wing ditto-heads who pick up the phone, write letters and e-mails to bring about a sense of pressure.

Now it's our turn with Clarence Thomas. We can contact our members of the US House of Representative for starters and call for impeachment hearings. We can also contact media outlets asking that they invest more in the back story on and current unfolding stories on Thomas.

For Your Convenience:

• Contact the Broadcast Media
• Contact the House of Representatives