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The
Madness of the Free Market Right
August 20, 2001
by
Confuscious
The word "free" is interpreted in many different ways. What
comes to mind you think "free country"? Freedom of speech?
Freedom from slavery? Freedom from unreasonable search and
seizure? The constitution originally connotated "free" as
freedom from "British rule" (because at that time that's how
we were governed) but insofar there has been different interpretations
and we may never know the present meaning of the word unless
we exume Thomas Jefferson's head and find some state-of-the-art
science to read his mind.
The American Right-wing has their own idea when it comes
to "free" or "free country": Free enterprise. And I don't
mean a dutch auction of necklaces on eBay, buying something
for one price and selling it higher, or even a measely $5,000
mutual fund. The Free market community doesn't give a hoot
about those things - I'm talking large, expensive profits
(in the hundreds of thousands of dollars), a product or service
that makes its speed through consumer traffic, and/or something
owned by a huge corporation. If the targeted-social class
of Bush's tax cut was any indicator, that is the perception
of "free", "free country" and "free enterprise".
Unfortunately, not every schlepp who voted Republican in
this election understands that. The Republican mindfuck -
"Democrats are socialists" - brainwashed some really poor
gooses into believing that they would fiscally benefit during
Bush administration. Sadly, only the more wealthy of this
mentality will have the full advantage.
But, not long ago, a group of these nutzos got a taste of
their own medicine during the California "Energy Crisis."
In a conservative central California town a GOP Representative
was forced by his constituents to issue price caps and regulation
when electricity companies started to gauge the prices. For
once, a Republican politico felt that his own voters were
his priority, even if it meant risking future campaign funds
from the major contributer of his being elected into office.
Remember, whenever you see a politician defending high energy
prices, or big business for the matter, consider who contributed
to their campaign. I remember when I saw a U.S. House Representative
in my state on the local news claiming that Governor Gray
Davis' (CA) persuasion for price caps and regulation was a
"big step in the wrong direction." Little did we know, without
looking at http://www.opensecrets.org, that this GOP House
member received nearly $100,000 from utility companies, gas,
electric, air conditioning, in campaign donations!
You now know the meaning of the Free Market Right. It may
not always mean Republican (often, they come in Libertarian
incarnates) and when not yearning for no taxes, no background
checks at gun shows, or no government departments, they may
actually be less extreme on issues like the war on drugs,
civil asset forfeiture or abortion. But regardless, they will
come howling in major support of Republican candidates because
they feel the Republican Party is closer in "less government
regulation of business" than Democrats. Everyone knows that's
not the case.
But just remember the Republican mentality of Free market
- it's not about entrepeneurship, or selling items on an auction
site, it's corporate welfare in exchange for power. I have
no choice but to label anyone without a huge private investment,
who endorses the philosophy, as a fool.
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