Corporate America’s Identity Crisis

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What we are discussing is not a new phenomenon descriptive only of our current time in history. The people of this nation have been battling the forces of power, greed and profit continuously since the inception of Wall Street in the late 1600's by the Dutch. These drivers, as an end to themselves, are not synonymous with social justice, good will and sharing the wealth. With the rise of the corporate state, where, by law, it is mandatory that corporations return a profit, the oppression has increased exponentially, legally!
We are in a sad state of affairs. No matter how organized, how committed, how tenacious the people's resistance has been, the power elite have prevailed (save for a few scraps thrown on the floor from their table). The elite have used any weapons at their disposal to ruthlessly crush, without regard to life, death, justice or morality, any and all opposition that threatens their standing. That same mindset is still prevalent today among the power brokers. THEY have the money,the banks, the government, the laws, the courts, the media,the guns, the armies and that same historical will to use them all, without compunction, to continue their onslaught.
As we speak, that onslaught is still upon us. With ever gaining speed and ferocity, we are losing our jobs, our homes, our retirement security, our health, our future.
We are in a war but do we as a nation realize this?
Encouragingly, I see signs of this realization starting to happen. However the cards are stacked very high against us.
What are we to do? This is a great question, especially considered in an historical context. Every tool that we have at our disposal today to foment and exact change has been used throughout our history to little or no avail.
Why is this?
Is it that we are not as devoid of any sense of honor and justice as THEY? Is it that THEY are absolute, with no deviation, in their commitment to preserving the lifestyle and worldview of increasing greed and power; and we have yet to attain that same level of sustained, unwavering effort with the numbers of people necessary to effect any realistic chance of change. Is it that we are too busy just trying to keep our lives together that we are too exhausted to do anything else?
Things have progressed to the point where THEY can literally do what THEY want, when THEY want! We see that happen every day!
Remember that nothing happens unless someone wants it to!
THEY will inevitably, one day, push to far and we will revolt. The Constitution, gives us that right, but again, from an historical view, the Constitution has proven to be just good sounding words written on parchment.
Only when we realize that our and our posterity's very lives are being threatened, with the knives at our throat, will we fight.
All we need to realize that those knives are at our throat right now!

Loyal Hoag of MN 12:14PM October 25, 2009

Pledging allegiance to a party is accepting political slavery
To be sitting on the fence is the only way to get politicians to work for the citizens.
Lean towards common sense wherever and whenever it appears. Lean towards what is good for society as the whole and beware of the long term costs of personal short term benefits
As long as a ship floats and the tide is coming yours and all ships will rise rise
Be independent, act for the common good and look beyond the next quarter as a business leader or an individual
The healthcare and banking crises are symptomatic of our preference of short term results at the expense of the long term stability that business want and need to prosper. Government regulation has a role to play. Its absence is filled by the tumult of chaos.
Why should we expect profit addicted CEOs and shareholders, bonuses drunken executives and rauckus partying consumers to like the sound of police sirens.

Emmanuel of FL 1:33AM October 18, 2009

They're conflicted because they're not sure whether the reforms will end up helping them or hurting them. They are also considering formerly unthinkable support for some of Obama's more egregious initiatives lest they become political whipping boys for the Administration.
With health "reform" the health insurance industry gets beat up for going about its business, meanwhile it is on record supporting Obama's legislative package. And why not? They are looking not to compete, but to have their profits guaranteed by government formulas that they get to write. That is what usually happens when the government gets involved in solving marketplace problems - the existing order becomes entrenched, and newcomers find it impossible, and sometimes illegal, to compete.
Global warming legislation is the same thing, you've got companies absolutely lining up to participate or support it, because they think that in the end they'll be able to legislate profitable activities for themselves. Meanwhile, nobody wants to risk the ire of the hyperactive folks in power right now. Those who left this bandwagon recently simply realized that there was no chance they would benefit, and they would be the whipping boy no matter what.

Jon of NY 10:41AM October 08, 2009

If Obama keeps listening to his Wall Street advisors and does nothing about corporate greed, and health care reform goes down the toilet, and Republicans scream "Socialism" at every move by Obama, I forsee the demise of the two party system within the next 20 years. Right now more people call themselves independents than call themselves Republicans and is pushing toward equalling or exceeding the number of Democrats. A new silent majority will emerge who are moderates and neither conservative or liberal, and take over the country. I consider myself one of them whom will repudiate extremism from both the left or the right. Anybody with me?

Jack Golding of KS 5:21PM October 07, 2009