Wow! I'm actually going to blog something substantive other than meeting notes - it feels good to blog, I guess. Anyway, I thought it would be of interest for everyone to see Abramoff's galaxy the Washington Post put out (also check out the Abramoff orchesta as I call it), and check out the Columbia Journalism Review's Who Owns What of media corporations. Both seem particularly relevant in light of our last discussion.
March 22, 2006
March 19, 2006
Big Business and Government
No clear villain or obvious solution emerged from our March 19th discussion about the influence of big business on government . Although it may not be democratic that captains of industry use disproportionate power to further selfish interests, many of us thought that the involvement of corporations in the legislative process can be benign and even essential. Because of the sheer size and complexity of our society, our representatives need the input of special interests in order to write policy. And business sponsored initiatives can often benefit the community and even gain the support of labor. Education reform was cited as an area where public and corporate interests coincide. But it was also demonstrated how capitalists are not above imposing conditions and curricula that suit their own ends. There seemed to be a consensus that the formulation of policy by business and other interests is acceptable so long as the process is equitable and transparent.
But how often does that happen? Greed and corruption are rife and although our group didn't single out any industry or political party, many voiced concern that the movers and shakers too often act to the detriment of the greater good. The mix of power and money is like a toxic concoction to the body politic. But as one pointed out, selfishness is the natural result of a system designed to protect property rights. A discussion ensued about the Constitution and the culture it begot. Several concluded that human nature destines our political systems to focus on short-term approaches and cater to big-money imperatives.
Human nature also compels us to seek solutions and alternatives. Campaign finance reform, increasing government's scope, decreasing its power or maybe capping personal wealth, our talk was peppered with proposals for reform. And that seems like a good way to continue next time as we take a broad and critical view of our "Democracy". Does it work well? Well enough? Is it what the founders intended and would it matter if it were not? Join us this Sunday, April 2nd, 3 PM at the City Café as we talk politics, as usual.
But how often does that happen? Greed and corruption are rife and although our group didn't single out any industry or political party, many voiced concern that the movers and shakers too often act to the detriment of the greater good. The mix of power and money is like a toxic concoction to the body politic. But as one pointed out, selfishness is the natural result of a system designed to protect property rights. A discussion ensued about the Constitution and the culture it begot. Several concluded that human nature destines our political systems to focus on short-term approaches and cater to big-money imperatives.
Human nature also compels us to seek solutions and alternatives. Campaign finance reform, increasing government's scope, decreasing its power or maybe capping personal wealth, our talk was peppered with proposals for reform. And that seems like a good way to continue next time as we take a broad and critical view of our "Democracy". Does it work well? Well enough? Is it what the founders intended and would it matter if it were not? Join us this Sunday, April 2nd, 3 PM at the City Café as we talk politics, as usual.
March 5, 2006
Corporations
We had a sizable gathering on March fifth and discussed corporations and their influence on the larger world. Many spoke positively about working for large companies like Ford while practically everyone complained about their dealings with the "Phone Company". We pondered the process by which a small responsible entity mutates into a large profit-driven monster. As corporations grow and bump up with global competition their policies increasingly undermine the interests of common people the world over. Foreign acquisitions, massive outsourcing and other practices make our economy vulnerable to extra-national influences. As we grasped for solutions our government was perceived as a likely agent of change. After all, what other institution has the power to rein in the industrial-military-corporate complex. This begs the question…
…can government regulate business if business is busy regulating the Government? We'd like to think that public policy flows from well-considered deliberations that take all interests into fair account. We know that has never been the case. From NAFTA to CAFTA, ownership of our ports to the regulation of our mines, corporate sway has usually carried the day. Does big business have too much political power? Is it a legitimate component of the national interest? Is there anything we can do about it anyway? Mind America's business and join us March 19th, 3 PM at the city Café as we discuss Corporations, the government and the people.
…can government regulate business if business is busy regulating the Government? We'd like to think that public policy flows from well-considered deliberations that take all interests into fair account. We know that has never been the case. From NAFTA to CAFTA, ownership of our ports to the regulation of our mines, corporate sway has usually carried the day. Does big business have too much political power? Is it a legitimate component of the national interest? Is there anything we can do about it anyway? Mind America's business and join us March 19th, 3 PM at the city Café as we discuss Corporations, the government and the people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)