Leaving aside the discussion of whether anything in the media can be taken at face value especially post Citizens United, especially during campaign season, especially involving political infighting on cable tv, there are some excellent points made here about the duplicity and corruption of our political parties.

It seems this situation is being used to frame some kind of national debate? (at least by the President) regarding the benefits of private equity?

“I think it’s important to recognize that this issue is not a “distraction.” This is part of the debate that we’re going to be having in this election campaign about how do we create an economy where everybody from top to bottom, folks on Wall Street and folks on Main Street, have a shot at success and if they’re working hard and they’re acting responsibly, that they’re able to live out the American Dream.”

One problem,in my opinion,is that it seems this may be getting framed strictly in terms of economics. Not just part of it. Another problem is that the corporate control of our government was not even mentioned in the press conference that I saw.

No question, the economic challenges we face are huge. But to equate the “American dream” strictly to money, as this answer appears to have done, is wrong. Just as the ruling that money equals free speech is wrong.

“And when you’re President, as opposed to the head of a private equity firm, then your job is not simply to maximize profits. Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot. Your job is to think about those workers who got laid off and how are we paying for their retraining. Your job is to think about how those communities can start creating new clusters so that they can attract new businesses. Your job as President is to think about how do we set up a equitable tax system so that everybody is paying their fair share that allows us then to invest in science and technology and infrastructure, all of which are going to help us grow.”

It’s understood, especially since Citizens United, everything said (especially) during campaign season is suspect. (Sucks I know, but a whole bunch of people were trying to warn about that before the campaign.)

“My job is to make sure that the country is growing not just now, but 10 years from now and 20 years from now.”

Of course, the primary job of the President of the United States of America is to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Sadly, that doesn’t seem to get talked about much. Hell, I don’t think anyone can even agree on (or knows) what the Constitution means. I once had hopes that a Constitutional scholar would help us with that. Besides, at this point, it would come across as insincere, flag waving, campaign, BS.

It seems that there is only one thing that matters in our great country now.

You know, I’m old enough to remember the end of the cold war and all the spies and double agents and all. I remember how people used to talk, in shocked disbelief, about how anyone could betray our great country like that.

And the thing that really disgusted people was not just that someone would betray our great democracy because they believed in communism. The thing that many people were truly sickened by was how some of the traitors would do it just for money.

I have to say I’m having some difficulty keeping up.
“Germany Mulls Greek Euro Exit”
“Bank vs. America – protests outside, inside Bofa shareholder meeting”
“Activists want DNC convention to move of North Carolina after amendment one passage”

I have great respect for the former speaker of the house, the progressive caucus and former Senator Feingold.

I don’t pretend to understand everything that is going on with the Social Security/Medicare debate, the Bowles/Simpson commission or this rift with Senator Feingold.

What I do understand, on a fundamental and instinctual level, is that there is way, way too much unaccounted for money, therefore corruption, in our politics and media.

Given that Wall Street has wanted to get their hands on our earned retirement benefits for decades, the only change to Social Security and Medicare I would be in favor, at this point, would be to raise the salary cap for payroll deductions. Clearly there should be some other reforms, but I wouldn’t support anything else unless the Citizens United Supreme Court decision was repealed.

I have great respect and admiration for these leaders. These are fundamental issues for democrats and the survival of democracy as we know it. I truly want to be able to stand with them.

“More to come, now if any media in this country care to notice.”

And the, obviously, relevant question is:

What possible reasons could our media have for not covering this story to the hilt?

Good lord, the political horseshit is getting deep. Let’s see, if my calculations are correct, the first term ended and the campaign started about 6 months to a year ago (or maybe the campaign never ended?)

“Over the past couple weeks, not one but two potential restrictions on them have been lifted.” I would include another I saw in Monday’s WaPo (4/9/12 p.A10):
“U.S. to allow larger companies to qualify as small businesses”. Obviously, this does not support small businesses.

I would be up in arms about this latest outrage from our current president regarding this LGBT discrimination issue, but I’m tired of being jerked around by the latest headline.

Everything in the media is beginning to feel like a big campaign marketing/PR/propaganda/BS shell game to me. “Look at this, look at this, look at this… here’s the issue right here” then the next day, “stop looking at this, now look at that…” My, my, how easily distracted we are.
Whether with the divisions of gay rights issues, women’s issues, birth control, abortions, religion, the environment, labor, jobs, small business big business, health care, fear of terrorism, fear of everything… we are being manipulated, jerked around and distracted in more ways than you can shake a stick at.

And what we do get from our current president?

“While it is not our usual practice to discuss Executive Orders that may or may not be under consideration, we do not expect that an Executive Order on LGBT non-discrimination for federal contractors will be issued at this time,”

I may be wrong, but it feels like the psychological equivalent of the “good cop, bad cop” routine that they seem to be laying on everybody. It may be subtle, but I think the insinuation may be there: “if the gay community supports my campaign I can help you, if not well…?” And this seems to be the game they play with everybody, from big business issues, to minority issues, to women’s issues… And perhaps, not long before the election, they will allow some key “victories” regarding some of them. While all the time giving a wink and a nod to big business. Kabuki and a half.

Playing both sides against the middle. Or all sides against all other sides.

I wish I understood all the ways we are all influenced and manipulated by the corporations, the corporate media, and our political parties. And I wish I could communicate them better.

Look over here! The issue is the way we are being influenced and jerked around, and distracted, and divided (by marketers, the corporate media and our political parties)to the point where can no longer focus on the most pressing problems we face, the environment, sustainability, a just and fair economy, a just and fair judicial system, civil liberties…

The issue is that our government is literally controlled by multinational corporate interests that don’t give a shit (other than a little green washing etc… lip service) about our country or our people. Only profit and power.

“…don’t just repress your opponents, have them repress each other.

That’s what American-style freedom is all about.”

This is an important point. It’s clearly not only relevant in this case, though. Many, if not all, of our differences are exploited and manipulated in the media and everywhere. From religious differences (Christian vs. Muslim, vs. Jewish vs…) to racial differences, to pitting environmentalists against unions as was done during the XL pipeline debate… even women vs. men. It seems the supply of differences to manipulate and exploit are endless for those trying to make a name (or money) for themselves. Or those trying to distract and deflect attention from some of the huge problems we face.

Not the least of which is the unbelievable influence (and control) giant multi national corporate interests and the super rich have over our government.

Our diversity, inclusion and compassion are our country’s most valuable and honorable assets. But instead of working together to celebrate and promote these incredible characteristics that, as far as I can remember, our country has taken great pride in, many of our so called “leaders” are working to destroy for their own selfish gain.

I’d like to hear the argument, given the current climate of attacks on the viability of social security, that it is a good idea for anyone, much less democrats, to propose a cut in payroll taxes. If the only arguement is that it will make republicans look bad in the media, it’s a big, stupid gamble in my opinion. Especially knowing that the media is owned by the very people trying to cut/eliminate social security. Of course, it is getting more and more difficult to tell where the democratic stands on anything these days.

Nothing but kabuki.

Beautiful song. Thanks for posting it.

Sometimes I forget. Through all the war, violence, greed, division, mayhem, corruption, unfairness, lack of responsibility and my own anger at it… Through my own failures and dissapointments… sometimes I forget to see things that make life worth living.

“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you… I wish nothing but the best for you.”

You know, regardless of the way cynical “leaders” have exploited the hopes and dreams of our people there is always a spirit of possibility that will never disappear as long as we continue to look for it. And work to share that sentiment “I wish nothing but the best for you” with others.

Good to know what you’re fighting for.

Saw this at hullabaloo:

Gingrich to OWS: “Go get a job right after you take a bath”
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/gingrich-occupy-wall-street-go-get-job-right-after-you-take-bath

From a religious forum the GOP candidates participated in.

Newt Gingrich:

“All of the occupy movements start with the premise that we all owe them everything. The take over a public park they didn’t pay for; To go nearby to go to bathrooms they didn’t pay for; to beg for food from places they didn’t pay for; to instruct those who go to work to pay the taxes to sustain the bathrooms and to sustain the park, so they can self-righteously proclaim that they are the paragons of virtue for which we owe everything.”

“Now that is a pretty good symptom of how much the left has collapsed as a moral system in this country and why you need to assert something as simple as saying to them, “Go get a job right after you take a bath”

Yes indeedy.

So we should all grovel at the feet of the powerful for allowing us unworthy 99% to breathe the very air that they so generously have provided for us? They will allow us to exist, you see, as long we have jobs, shut up, and don’t speak out about their abuses of power.

This is fucking sick.

And if you do stand up (or sit down) you will no longer be breathing the air, you will be breathing a throatful of chemical pepper spray.

When a Billionaire, acting like a bully, can buy a powerful “leadership” position, when a billionaire, acting like a bully, can buy media and use PR/spin/marketing/propaganda/BS to justify actions like this, when a billionaire, acting like a bully, can randomly and selectively enforce laws in ways that ultimately damage our nation’s higher values of civil and constitutional liberties for all of our citizens…

We have to question whether those who hold “leadership” positions are actually providing the leadership our representative democracy requires.

Thinking about leadership in that way, it almost seems impossible for an actual leader to hold a leadership position in our corporate/media/government.

When I take the time to consider what real leadership means, it seems much less exciting and glamorous?, to me, than perhaps it is portrayed in our media culture (if it is ever portrayed in media). I believe real leadership is personal and requires a large dose of humility, making many acts of leadership unknown to the majority of people. Almost by definition, real acts of leadership are not done for profit or credit, but simply because they’re the right thing do.

Leadership is making the hard choices, the ones that often don’t make us “look good”. Leadership is a set of values, courage, compassion, humility, honesty…, that I often like to write about in blog comments…

and too often fail to live up to in my own life.

Sadly, I’m not familiar with Edward Hopper, but I think I get your point, and it’s a good one. I’m not an artist, though I do appreciate the artistic perspective and context from you and Glenn.

Something is definitely missing from the canvas, from the music, of leadership in our country.

Misplaced values? Or perhaps it’s that too many of them are simply untrustworthy?

Cheap, production line knockoffs of the real thing?

“Why do they want to reduce life some a kind of shadow life, a life in which everything but their own power or pursuit of power is without meaning?

It seems this type of smallness of thinking somehow, in our media culture, is what passes for leadership and strength?

Actual leadership, actual strength, I believe, is doing what is right simply because it’s right and good for society. Without looking for credit or profit. (Is that considered blasephemy in our society?)

Nice post, thank you.

For a long time I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t understand how conservatives can think the media is ” the left wing, liberal, drive by media” (or whatever they call it), and, on the other hand, progressives think the media is a corporate owned propaganda echo chamber (which it is of course).

So the corporate media narrative is: “if both extremes hate the media it must be just right”

Likewise, progressives think the President is too conservative/corporate and, on the other hand, the conservatives think the President is too liberal or socialist or whatever…

So the corporate media narrative is…

“A couple things here. Daley was more a symbol than anything else, something the Administration could hang up in the West Wing and say “see, we’re not anti-business, ex-JPMorgan Chase banker Bill Daley is here!” I guess he doesn’t actually have to do his job to remain as that symbol.”

So, now that it’s campaign season and the winds of “change” are blowing in a different direction…

You know, I truly hate how cynical I’ve become.

I really don’t see that I will ever have any trust in a politician again, until they prove to me (when it’s not campaign season) that they are not double talking, double dealing, multi national corporate monopoly mouthpieces.

“We need defenses against divide and conquer. What would they look like, those defenses?’”

It’s a good question. I think just keep looking at the larger picture. What are the common goals? Big labor seems to be making the calculation that jobs are more important than the environment. They should not be making that choice. There is no doubt that the future is in green jobs. Sustainable manufacturing, recycling etc… That’s where the jobs are going to be.

The idea that we (our planet) can continue with this idea of unsustainable growth is wrong and it should be obvious. If the earth’s population were to grow at a meager 1.5% per year, it would double (14 Billion People) in just 47 years. Doubling time: 70/x = years it takes to double. Where x is percentage of growth. Does anyone think that is sustainable? We are destroying (have destroyed) our oceans, we are running out of raw materials, oil etc.

If you haven’t seen it yet watch Professor’s Bartlett’s video “Arithmetic Population and Energy Part 1 of 8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY

“The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function” Prof. Bartlett

We need labor to take a principled and visionary stand regarding jobs and the environment.

Divide and conquer.

Labor movement versus the environmental movement.

It doesn’t get much better than that for the multi national corporate monopolies that are destroying our planet (the 1%) and their government and media spokespeople. sigh.

I think this is a great blog and the writers are excellent.

The short term thinking on the part of the unions is disappointing.

The issue of funding (especially corporate funding) is complicated and important and should never be dismissed as “that’s just the way it is”. It goes to the heart of the corruption in our corporations, government and media.

With much respect, I have to say that I would be surprised if the Union, pro XL pipeline ad, and/or the BP gulf destruction denying ads do not influence people. Very surprised. I believe most of us don’t know the ways and extent to which we are influenced by corporations and their PR/marketing/spin/propaganda… advertising.

We all have very difficult decisions/choices to make about what we value in life. It’s time we all (I include myself) start, consciously, making them.

Or at least have serious, and honest, discourse about them.

“What can we do to pull it all together and look like we know what we are doing?”

Without asking for credit, or asking to be held blameless, you write a comment from a problem solving perspective.

Seems like a good start to me.