Democracy goes to the highest bidder
March 30, 2018 8:41 AM Subscribe
George Monbiot: How corporate dark money is taking power on both sides of the Atlantic (oped).
American democracy is sold to the highest bidder. Recent research has shown how campaign financing is skewing policy influence towards top earners.
We Need Bastiat's 'The Law' More than Ever. High school students in the United States are usually required to take a course in government where they learn about the structure of government but rarely discover the appropriate role of government or the justifiable limits for the use of force in our society.
(A little more about George)
American democracy is sold to the highest bidder. Recent research has shown how campaign financing is skewing policy influence towards top earners.
We Need Bastiat's 'The Law' More than Ever. High school students in the United States are usually required to take a course in government where they learn about the structure of government but rarely discover the appropriate role of government or the justifiable limits for the use of force in our society.
(A little more about George)
American democracy is sold to the highest bidder.
That would suggest a higher class of corruption than you (or we, come to think of it) are subject to. Our democracies are available to anyone who cares to throw any amount of money at them. They're not choosy. It's just that those with more money get more out of it and most of us don't have enough to afford any at all.
posted by Grangousier at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018
That would suggest a higher class of corruption than you (or we, come to think of it) are subject to. Our democracies are available to anyone who cares to throw any amount of money at them. They're not choosy. It's just that those with more money get more out of it and most of us don't have enough to afford any at all.
posted by Grangousier at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018
Call me an ignoramus, but I fail to see any connection between George Monbiot, dark money, and Frédéric Bastiat here.* Are you drunk, Adam? Did you fall down? Favorite this comment if you're okay.
*except maybe that the Acton Institute reportedly receives funding from ExxonMobil and Richard DeVos.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
*except maybe that the Acton Institute reportedly receives funding from ExxonMobil and Richard DeVos.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Many socialists fall into this category. For example, they constantly talk about fraternity, but not fraternity that is voluntary. They support a type of fraternity that is forced on everyone.
I tried to explain this to my mother years ago when she told me that, in a couple of months, I was going to have a little brother or little sister! Now I understand she must be a socialist, foolishly believing I should have some kind of kinship with others, merely on the basis of our shared humanity! I wish I'd been schooled in Bastiat before I started kindergarten and I could have explained it to her--human fraternity isn't natural, but property is!
posted by layceepee at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018 [37 favorites]
I tried to explain this to my mother years ago when she told me that, in a couple of months, I was going to have a little brother or little sister! Now I understand she must be a socialist, foolishly believing I should have some kind of kinship with others, merely on the basis of our shared humanity! I wish I'd been schooled in Bastiat before I started kindergarten and I could have explained it to her--human fraternity isn't natural, but property is!
posted by layceepee at 9:14 AM on March 30, 2018 [37 favorites]
From the article about The Law: "When viewed properly, the law should be viewed as a negation; for those who don't violate the life, liberty, or property of others, legal and government institutions should be invisible."
No. That's how we got here - too many people thinking the government doesn't do anything that they can identify. This is a horrific randite-libertarian view of government: the idea that it exists to prevent violence and nothing else, that it has no role in shaping society or keeping people safe.
I don't want a government that's nonexistent when it's not blocking unethical uses of force. I want a government that makes roads, that provides education, that fights fires, that creates infrastructure that's easier to make and manage with economies of scale. I want a government that regulates air traffic. I want a government that prevents pollution. I want a government that negotiates trade deals - with other nations, with internal companies - to assure that trade will continue at rates that allow all the involved communities to prosper.
I want a government that addresses the hard, complex questions of the lines between free speech, community values, and oppressive behavior. I want a government that provides for orphans and those left destitute by disaster. I want a government whose goal is "a thriving nation," not "a nonviolent nation."
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:20 AM on March 30, 2018 [41 favorites]
No. That's how we got here - too many people thinking the government doesn't do anything that they can identify. This is a horrific randite-libertarian view of government: the idea that it exists to prevent violence and nothing else, that it has no role in shaping society or keeping people safe.
I don't want a government that's nonexistent when it's not blocking unethical uses of force. I want a government that makes roads, that provides education, that fights fires, that creates infrastructure that's easier to make and manage with economies of scale. I want a government that regulates air traffic. I want a government that prevents pollution. I want a government that negotiates trade deals - with other nations, with internal companies - to assure that trade will continue at rates that allow all the involved communities to prosper.
I want a government that addresses the hard, complex questions of the lines between free speech, community values, and oppressive behavior. I want a government that provides for orphans and those left destitute by disaster. I want a government whose goal is "a thriving nation," not "a nonviolent nation."
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:20 AM on March 30, 2018 [41 favorites]
Are you drunk, Adam
Living in the political nightmare that we are, sometimes I almost wish I was, and though those days are long gone, I still occasionally fantasize about a rum and lime or a full blooded vinho de Douro.
On hindsight I probably shouldn't have put that Bastiat link in but I liked the bit about learning about the structure of government but rarely discovering the appropriate role of government or the justifiable limits for the use of force in our society.
As I get older I seem to move even more to the left but that may be because the centre has moved right! Also I now live in a country which is a byword for corruption and bureaucratic incompetance which is veering towards civil strife and where to be anywhere near a socialist or socialist leaning is considered communistic á la Venezuela or Cuba. So yes education and the need for it is something I highly favour.
posted by adamvasco at 9:42 AM on March 30, 2018
Living in the political nightmare that we are, sometimes I almost wish I was, and though those days are long gone, I still occasionally fantasize about a rum and lime or a full blooded vinho de Douro.
On hindsight I probably shouldn't have put that Bastiat link in but I liked the bit about learning about the structure of government but rarely discovering the appropriate role of government or the justifiable limits for the use of force in our society.
As I get older I seem to move even more to the left but that may be because the centre has moved right! Also I now live in a country which is a byword for corruption and bureaucratic incompetance which is veering towards civil strife and where to be anywhere near a socialist or socialist leaning is considered communistic á la Venezuela or Cuba. So yes education and the need for it is something I highly favour.
posted by adamvasco at 9:42 AM on March 30, 2018
That article about The Law is from the Acton Institute here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Acton Institute has the sole focus of interpreting Christian dogma in a way which provides justification for personal and corporate greed, and influencing national policy along those lines. It has strong ties to the Prince/DeVos family (of course) and is in all ways a blight on our fair city.
posted by JohnFromGR at 9:42 AM on March 30, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by JohnFromGR at 9:42 AM on March 30, 2018 [20 favorites]
On hindsight I probably shouldn't have put that Bastiat link in but I liked the bit ...
Okay, it was more of a free associative thing. I can dig it.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:55 AM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Okay, it was more of a free associative thing. I can dig it.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:55 AM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
From JohnFromGR's link, some sections: "Acton Institute Called Out for Blocking Action on Climate Change", "Opposition to Pope Francis" (in his anti-poverty remarks), "Support for GMOs", "Ties to Koch Brothers".
posted by el io at 10:11 AM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by el io at 10:11 AM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
About the Monbiot article: if there ever was an evil axis, this is it. And the brexiteers don't hide that they'd expected the EU to be bullied into accepting their conditions. Luckily, while there is lots of corruption within the EU, they don't seem to be playing. I guess it's because they know that without legitimacy, they'll be gone.
posted by mumimor at 10:18 AM on March 30, 2018
posted by mumimor at 10:18 AM on March 30, 2018
but I liked the bit about learning about the structure of government but rarely discovering the appropriate role of government or the justifiable limits for the use of force in our society.
adamvasco
Why? Those are red flags that let you know you're in for a load of libertarian horseshit, along with repeated use of "liberty".
posted by Sangermaine at 10:25 AM on March 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
adamvasco
Why? Those are red flags that let you know you're in for a load of libertarian horseshit, along with repeated use of "liberty".
posted by Sangermaine at 10:25 AM on March 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
Why? Those are red flags that let you know you're in for a load of libertarian horseshit
Please don't assume I'm an American and steeped in their batshit insanity.
The Law was written in 1850 and all articles tend to lead with
How is it that the law enforcer itself does not have to keep the law? How is it that the law permits the state to lawfully engage in actions which, if undertaken by individuals, would land them in jail? which is highly relevant in today's society whether it is cops shooting black people or politicians mired in corruption and theft.
I have already stated about hindsight and not inserting that linkbbut it seems your need to froth exceeds your need to accept what was previously posted.
Anyway the Monbiot link is of far more relevant interest and I do hope George recovers to continue with his fine journalism.
posted by adamvasco at 10:38 AM on March 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
Please don't assume I'm an American and steeped in their batshit insanity.
The Law was written in 1850 and all articles tend to lead with
How is it that the law enforcer itself does not have to keep the law? How is it that the law permits the state to lawfully engage in actions which, if undertaken by individuals, would land them in jail? which is highly relevant in today's society whether it is cops shooting black people or politicians mired in corruption and theft.
I have already stated about hindsight and not inserting that linkbbut it seems your need to froth exceeds your need to accept what was previously posted.
Anyway the Monbiot link is of far more relevant interest and I do hope George recovers to continue with his fine journalism.
posted by adamvasco at 10:38 AM on March 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
The fact is, most of the biggest corporate donors give to both parties, and most politicians in both parties support big corporations. It is no coincidence that the most contentious issues (which are indeed important), say guns, abortion, declawing cats..., are issues which do not cost most corporations money if they go one way or another.
posted by 445supermag at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by 445supermag at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
The paper linked in the Monbiot link is sobering in how conclusive the data is:
We think it is time that social scientists stop pushing the equivalent of the Ptolemaic solar system and recognize what everyone else does: that we live in a money-driven political system
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
We think it is time that social scientists stop pushing the equivalent of the Ptolemaic solar system and recognize what everyone else does: that we live in a money-driven political system
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Related: Lessig's book Lesterland, building off his TED Talk, in which he points out that US politics are decided by about 144k people, about the same number as those who are named "Lester."
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 12:19 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 12:19 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
See also: Wylie "said the main purpose of Cambridge Analytica, SCL and other linked companies, was not merely to win elections, but to use their role in those elections to "capture" governments and then use those contacts to change laws and regulations for the benefit of other companies."
And: Cambridge Analytica is what happens when you privatise military propaganda
posted by Speculatist at 3:30 PM on March 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
And: Cambridge Analytica is what happens when you privatise military propaganda
posted by Speculatist at 3:30 PM on March 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
April 2014 BBC - Study: US is an oligarchy, not a democracy.
2015 Rolling Stone; Former President Jimmy Carter had some harsh words to say about the current state of America's electoral process, calling the country "an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery".
13 Sep 2017: Former President Jimmy Carter offered a damning indictment of US foreign policy and domestic affairs on Tuesday, saying money in politics makes the nation more like an "oligarchy than a democracy" and casting President Donald Trump as a disappointment on the world stage.
March 2018 The Trump Administration Is a Government of Billionaires and Their Sycophants.
posted by adamvasco at 3:45 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
2015 Rolling Stone; Former President Jimmy Carter had some harsh words to say about the current state of America's electoral process, calling the country "an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery".
13 Sep 2017: Former President Jimmy Carter offered a damning indictment of US foreign policy and domestic affairs on Tuesday, saying money in politics makes the nation more like an "oligarchy than a democracy" and casting President Donald Trump as a disappointment on the world stage.
March 2018 The Trump Administration Is a Government of Billionaires and Their Sycophants.
posted by adamvasco at 3:45 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Trump Administration Is a Government of Billionaires and Their Sycophants.
all that money, and this is the government they buy?
all joking aside, i do understand that the best government for people with effectively unlimited money is one too disorganized to interfere in their schemes. and hey, they even managed a nice tax cut.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:26 PM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
all that money, and this is the government they buy?
all joking aside, i do understand that the best government for people with effectively unlimited money is one too disorganized to interfere in their schemes. and hey, they even managed a nice tax cut.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:26 PM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
all that money, and this is the government they buy
I think you are joking murphey....I hope so... Its all wonderful for those who want to make a fast buck at the expense of everybody else. Just a few below.
The well named Crapo bill, includes a rollback of many banking regulations.
Deregulation is the name of the game.
And as for the environment; At the federal level, 2017 was an unmitigated disaster for the environment and public health, with President Trump and his cabinet quickly becoming the most antienvironmental administration in our nation’s history.
Trump’s first year has been the private prison industry’s best.
posted by adamvasco at 6:08 AM on March 31, 2018
I think you are joking murphey....I hope so... Its all wonderful for those who want to make a fast buck at the expense of everybody else. Just a few below.
The well named Crapo bill, includes a rollback of many banking regulations.
Deregulation is the name of the game.
And as for the environment; At the federal level, 2017 was an unmitigated disaster for the environment and public health, with President Trump and his cabinet quickly becoming the most antienvironmental administration in our nation’s history.
Trump’s first year has been the private prison industry’s best.
posted by adamvasco at 6:08 AM on March 31, 2018
Deregulation is the name of the game.
I mean, you’re not wrong. But this is totally why you insisted that American high school students needed to study a foundational libertarian philosopher and needed to learn from an organization funded by ExxonMobil and the DeVos family, right?
posted by octobersurprise at 7:47 PM on March 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
I mean, you’re not wrong. But this is totally why you insisted that American high school students needed to study a foundational libertarian philosopher and needed to learn from an organization funded by ExxonMobil and the DeVos family, right?
posted by octobersurprise at 7:47 PM on March 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
Given the dozens of instances of subverting the political order of free countries world wide, Oakes, Nix, the Mercers, and every one of their co-conspirators should be tried at The Hague for crimes against humanity.
posted by ob1quixote at 9:34 PM on March 31, 2018
posted by ob1quixote at 9:34 PM on March 31, 2018
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Giving Wal-Mart the "liberty" to not pay a minimum wage isn't going to do anything good for the liberty of actual people.
Socialism As a Set of Principles posted previously.
posted by Foosnark at 9:01 AM on March 30, 2018 [29 favorites]