Nothing we can do about it? Oh Really?

[n2doc]

Friday rant: Nothing we can do about it edition
By Tom Toles

Did you notice the change in the storyline? These changes happen from time to time, without warning nor explanation. The off-the-charts concentration in wealth in the United States is now the “inevitable” result of globalization, and desirable or not, “there’s nothing we can do about it anyway.” Really? I don’t remember EITHER of these rather significant points being made by proponents of freer trade back when we supposedly were deciding whether we liked the idea. I remember a lot of talk of shared prosperity all around. Maybe that part comes later.

And nice try on the “there’s nothing we can do about it anyway” assertion. I don’t think we’ve even BEGUN to talk that one through. I think there are LOTS of things we could do. Raising taxes on the rich would be a place to start. How much? Let’s use a real version of the Laffable Curve to figure out what level of taxation yields the most revenue. Let’s start a conversation about INCREASING the estate tax, so rich kids have the OPPORTUNITY to learn the meaning of “hard work!” Will we drive the Galtmasters out of the country? Let’s discuss that too, if that’s all their American citizenship means to them. I’d be curious on that point, since patriotism is such a big deal that they wrapped the front of the NY Stock Exchange in an American flag.

And speaking of Galtmasters and patriotism, we have a new confession about how hard the “job creators” were working to “create jobs” for us through economy-destroying lending practices. “The bigwigs of the corporations knew this, but they figured we’re going to make billions out of it, so who cares? The government is going to bail us out. And the problem loans will be out of here, maybe even overseas.”

We could have a converstion about “jail” for this kind of behavior. That would be one way to keep these patriots in the US. We could also have a discussion of whether we look at people like this with envy and admiration, or contempt. That’s a starter list of things we could do right there!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tom-toles/post/friday-rant-nothing-we-can-do-about-it-edition/2011/12/01/gIQA583KHO_blog.html

[Earth_First]

1. Maybe it is high time we run these 'Galtmasters' out of the country...

They'll be back. When they do; it will be on OUR terms.

[shraby]

2. Many of the uppiest income getters plop their overbounders

in Swiss banks and the Caymen Islands anyway. Bring back those tax dollars also, and if they don't like it, let them move to the Caymens or Switzerland. They certainly aren't doing anything for this country.

[bvar22]

3. "Globalization" is NOT the problem.

"Globalization" has been happening since the first CaveMan walked across the valley and traded his meat for stone arrowheads at another clan.
"Globalization" is thoroughly Human and Natural.

The PROBLEM is that a handful of RICH Corporate Owners (1%) got together and invented a marketing Scam
that removed ALL the Regulations & Restrictionson moving Capital across National Boundaries.
Civilized societies had fought for centuries to put these regulations & restrictions in place
to protect Human Rights, LABOR Rights, and the Environment.

The RICH Predators called their scam "Free Trade" and "Free Markets",
and used Smooth Talking Politicians to SELL it to naive Americans.

Their SCAM has worked PERFECTLY,
and, beyond all rational belief, is STILL being successfully sold to naive populations today!

Capital will always be able to outrun Human Rights, Organized LABOR, and Environmental Protections.

It takes YEARS (decades) for the the Working Class
to organize,
petition our governments,
propose protective regulations,
move these regulations through balky governments,
enact these regulations,
and enforce these protections.
Capital can Pack Up and MOVE overnight.

No, Virginia.
There is NO Giant "Invisible Hand".
Like most other Faith Based Religions, they made that shit up to get your money.



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
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