Another "MUST" read, this one harking back to the Savings & Loan bailout

See : A Nation of Village Idiots

What will it take for America's middle classes to finally understand their own interests? or even, to speak with one voice?

There is nothing wrong with the creation of wealth.

What is wrong, is that in the name of "free market capitalism" we lie down and pretend to be rugs for the selfish men and women who not only understand their self-interests but define these in terms of personal wealth, pleasure and aggrandisement.

Our own interests would be better served helping our neighbors, educating our children and sweeping before our own front doors.

Must reading...

A Debate Worthy of a Great Nation in Trouble

Public goods and laissez-faire capitalism

"Laissez-faire capitalism" our father would say, "is about economic freedom".

My only problem with this is that it is "simplistic" and like all things simple, there is a hitch. "Freedom" has a cost even if that cost is not economic.

How does one count the cost of freedom if it is not economic? Could it be a matter of personal sacrifice, a curtailment of personal freedoms in exchange for a public good? What is a public good?

A public good is a shared space produced through negociated concensus. A public good, should not, in theory, be available for purchase. It often is however, and herein lies the problem.

A public good can either be preserved (a typically "conservative" idea) or it can be enhanced (typically a liberal, "progressive" idea).

The first cost of the public good is the "social cost" of maintaining a commons: personal freedoms are exchanged for "access" rights to the commons, and "access" has no price. The "cost" of freedom then, is the "value of public access".

If there is a value inherent in man, it is the value created through freedom and choice. What are my choices if a neighbor or family member suffers from a want that I might somehow mitigate? What could possibly be the value of my freedom then?

While Americans, and before them, Europeans were out pursuing manifest destiny and "national exception", amassing wealth through capitalistic enterprise, ensuring our survival as a species of humanity, the rest of the world could only watch and concede superior force.

Today the momentum is shifting.

Trust, mistrust, worldview, teleos... so many words of justification.

The American Commons In One Morning's Readings

In one morning's readings I read about how Carly Fiorina disparaged the candidates' ability to run a large multinational like Hewlett Packard saying that running a large multinational is not like being President. She's one to talk: she was ousted by Hewlett Packard in 2005 and she has never served as President. What is she doing giving advice?

I also read about U.S. bail-outs for under regulated corporate behemoths like AIG, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, about the acquisition of the banking and real estate assets of the failed Lehman Brothers or the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by BankAmerica.

Such a whirlwind of destruction... Here truly is the collapse of a house of cards, a fantasy of unfettered exuberance and unregulated greed. And here also lies the problem.

I do not subscribe to the idea that greed is a "mortal sin" visiting the wrath of God upon humans, but a selfishness that is endemic to liberal, unregulated capitalism and a selfishness that has cheapened the American commons. It is in fact, the same selfishness that creates inequality at home and in the world.

As far as my personal freedoms are concerned, I wholly subscribe to the idea that that government is best that governs least. But there is a cost to such freedom, and that cost lies in regulating the commons; The role of government lies in, must lie in regulating the commons for the greater good.

The dangers of democracy. Are we ready for the Internet?

See Warning Sounded on Web's Future

We live in frightening times, in times when decisions affecting the lives of millions are made based on circus contests in which rhetorical artifice trumps the art of rhetoric, in which form trumps content in an endless volley of statement and repartee.

Literacy in the internet world means so much more than multisyllabic intonation, it means filtering and verification, ideas which of themselves, imply focus and values.

Occupy the High Ground!

For heaven's sake, Barrack, occupy the high ground!

Attacking McCain and his lapdog, the talented, beautiful and clueless Sarah Palin, concedes the impression that they are setting the agenda.

Impressions matter. If you are not careful you will find yourself all too soon debating the issues framed by the republicans. Stick to your guns. A strategy of attacking the McCain-Palin ticket on their terms "ignores" the fact that the American people have spoken countless times through opinion poles, saying that the 2008 election is about fairness and equity, about America's standing in the world, about productivity, responsibility and self-sufficiency.

Do not let yourself be derailed by the rhetorical tricks and distractions of a well heeled public relations machine.

We are the moral majority. We opposed an immoral, opportunistic war that has visited misery on thousands of homes and families. We support fair trade and rightfully earned personal wealth.

Come on. Repeat with me: WE ARE THE MORAL MAJORITY.