Our Government: Corporate Stalinism

At a town hall meeting in Ramona, I said, "Regardless of your party, and regardless of how much you love your country and want the best for this great nation — none of that will matter — unless and until we get the money out of politics!"

If the people do not stand up to the legal bribery (PAC, corporate, union and lobbyist money) that buys the votes in our Congress,  we will continue down the road to, what I call, a government of "Corporate Stalinism."

I considered "corporate communism," but communism in its original meaing implies a classless, communal, leaderless group — more like Occupy Wall Street or the Tea Party.  In reality, as with Stalin or Mao, the exact opposite occurred — the state grew to control all aspects of society, with the people being the subjects of, rather than determiners of, their government.  And, of course, one person called all shots.  I use Stalinism to reflect "state control."

Plutocracy — yes, but that term does not convey the horror ahead.  Rather than spend time on a perfect term, consider "Corporate Stalinism" as the evolving power relationship between the "99%" and top 1% in America.

In the last 30 years, adjusted for inflation, top 1% income is up 275%, while average income is up only 18%. The middle class is disappearing. 2010 median income=$26,400 — half of citizens earn that, or LESS — Soc Sec Admin. 

Stalinist Russia had a congress (the Duma) working, not for the people, but for themselves and their masters.  They controlled the citizenry.  Our "Duma" just voted to extend the state's ability to arrest and detain indefinitely, without trial, any citizen based on suspicious behavior deemed to be a threat to the state.

Our 1st and 4th amendment rights are being gradually dismantled in order to "protect us."

Our Supreme Court (5-4) has determined that a corporation is a person.  These "persons" now wield more raw power (money) than any group of real people in the country.  The top 1% and special interests make 99% of political contributions over $200.  Our Congress is addicted to that money and votes according to their desires rather than the needs or desires of their constituents. 

Like Stalinist Russia, our government is riddled with cronyism and nepotism.  It thrives here because 94% of elections in America are won by the candidate spending the most money.  NINETY-FOUR PERCENT.

After the 2008 collapse, the working people, elderly and children (the victims) have borne the pain and were made to pay the restitution to the perps!, while the corporations thrive, banks have been made whole, and top 1% income is up 18% while average income is down another 15%. 

Current tax code contains $1.2 trillion in tax breaks and exemptions.  40% goes to top 1% of earners and half of that to the top 1/10 of 1%.  Who saw to it that the wealthy and corporations get that money?  Your representatives put it in the code.  What did they get back?  They got elected, and re-elected, and re-elected.

So what does the future entail for your kids and grandkids who may not be wealthy?  They will be part of a permanent underclass, with low pay, no benefits, no healthcare if they don't buy it, no collective bargaining, no workplace safety rights, no pension, no money to fund a 401K, no Medicare, and a destroyed environment.  Sure, we'll have full employment.  The corporations just want us to compete with Chinese workers. 

And why would corporations — these new "persons" — do this to us?  Because to do otherwise, to do the right thing, would cut into their profits and executive compensation, and they (and your bought and paid for representatives) are just not going to allow that to happen.

Isn't it curious?  Everytime they say, "We need to cut costs!" The only way seems to be to cut your pay.  My people, the middle class, that is the heart and soul of America, is disappearing.  It doesn't have to be this way.  The 99% don't demand equality, just equity - fairness.  We'll never get it until legal bribery of our representatives is eliminated.  Do what you can to start to turn this government around — do what you absolutely must — vote