Right To Work

There is discussion going on about “Right to Work Laws”. There should be discussions about “Right to Compete Laws”. Our businesses are being controlled by oligarchs and there are fewer businesses offering consumers choices. It also means a consolidation of places to work. We are at a crossroads. If we want to stop our drift towards socialism, protect free markets from crony capitalism.

A struggle is going on between oligopolies and socialism. Control over industries in our economy is becoming more centralized everyday. As this happens power, both monetary and political, is more centralized. Our markets are becoming less free and the economic playing field is skewed in favor of the oligarch.

As this centralization of power and wealth is occurring, government can step in and try to “equalize” the playing field by either creating more social programs for the needy or better regulate industries so they are not dominated by crony capitalist. Since the depression of the 1930’s the government’s tendency has been to create more social programs.

This country was founded on the principle that everyone is born with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our forefathers decided the best economic model to reach these pursuits was capitalism. Free markets were chosen to best attain the nations economic objectives. Capitalism is here to serve society. Society is not here to serve capitalism…. More

Crony Capitalism Or Socialism

If we want to stop our drift towards socialism, protect free markets from crony capitalism.

There is a struggle going on between crony capitalism and socialism. Crony capitalism is a colloquial word for oligopoly. Control over industries in our economy is becoming more centralized everyday. As this happens power, both monetary and political, is becoming more centralized. Our markets are becoming less free and the economic playing field is skewed in favor of the oligarch.

As this centralization of power and wealth is occurring, government can step in and try to “equalize” the playing field by either creating more social programs for the needy or better regulate industries so they are not dominated by crony capitalist. Since the depression of the 1930’s the government’s tendency has been to create more social programs.

This country was founded on the principle that everyone is born with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our forefathers decided the best economic model to reach these pursuits was capitalism. Free markets were chosen to best attain the nations economic objectives. Capitalism is here to serve society. Society is not here to serve capitalism.

Early settlers were less concerned about government over-regulating markets then about devious suppliers trying to control markets. When a conservative today complains about the destruction of free markets he is condemning the government saying it is over-regulating the markets and not allowing them to operate effectively. The damage caused by regulations pales to the damage caused by markets taken over by oligopolies and oligarchs. This trend of blaming governments over regulating is increasing as the oligarchs gain political power through the Supreme Court’s decisions on Citizens United.

If we want to slow down our drift towards socialism, we must protect free markets and capitalism by enforcing anti-trust laws. Oligopolies are prevalent in our economy today including, banking, financing, cell phones and others. This decision is not contrary to the ideal of cutting regulations where it makes sense. Below are the results of a study done in 2011 by Pew Research showing a trend indicating a slow shift in positive feelings towards socialism versus capitalism in our society.

Credit Agencies: Risk To Your Fiscal Health

“MF Global’s investors may not have been fully informed about the European bet, but the firm’s executives had been explaining the strategy to the ratings agencies for months, according to two people with direct knowledge of the conversations. Indeed, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s had applauded Mr. Corzine’s effort to overhaul the firm, a move that included ratcheting up risk.

“We consider the most recent strategic plan of the new C.E.O. Jon Corzine to be sound,” S.& P. said in 2010, while acknowledging the plan “will incrementally increase the firm’s risk profile.”

But the move by Finra to force the extra capital cushion appeared to only unnerve the ratings agencies when news reports about it emerged in October. A week later,Moody’s cut its rating on MF Global to a notch above junk, pointing to the European debt holdings.” A Romance With Risk That Brought On a Panic, BY AZAM AHMED, BEN PROTESS AND SUSANNE CRAIG. New York Times, December 12, 2012

 Credit rating agencies, like Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s recieve their fees from the companies that they are rating. Why are some people surprised when a company fails even when having a high rating from these companies. The fox is guarding the chick coup.

Why are rating agencies allowed to be bought off by the public companies that they are rating? Either this needs to change orthe agencies need to be shut down. They are doing a disservice.

Keep Freedom on The Internet!

Net neutrality under attack:  Don’t let Verizon and Google dictate the future of the Internet. Contact the FCC!

This post reflects a comment received from Common Cause. It is time to stand up with them and keep the internet free.


As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers how to write the rules to protect freedom and openness on the Internet, who should they turn to: consumers like you and me, or the oligopolistic telecommunications companies? 

Verizon and Google announced this week that they have it all figured out when it comes to net neutrality.* They unveiled a policy framework that would give telecom companies the right to speed up or slow down certain kinds of content, and to block outright applications or content on wireless networks.


Please join me in telling the FCC to say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to the Verizon/Google plan by sending an email drafted by Common Cause. You can change the wording to your liking

It shouldn’t be up to giant oligopolies to decide the rules and regulations that govern their behavior.

Financial Reform! A Small Step Forward!

The problem with its passage is that our representatives will say “another problem solved”. The fact is that the core issue is still unresolved.

We have a major industry, banking, controlled by an oligopoly of big banks. This oligopoly, along with others, control our representitives by campaign contributions. In other words our politicans are bought off. This will not change until the following:

1. Anti-trust laws are enforced to make our “free markets” truly free.
2. Our government becomes an honest umpire to see to it that every business in the marketplace is playing by the rules and not choking the free market.
3. A law is passed outlawing contributions by corporations and unions. They cannot vote and therefore they should not be able to buy votes. 

It might take the Tea Party to make this happen. I have yet heard from any politican who has stated they will not accept campaign contributions from corporations or unions. Many of them are taking the talk. None of them are walking the walk.