My hope for a reformed election process was not helped by the rush Washington Democrats made to join their Republican sty-mates in a money trough feeding frenzy. Believe me, the crash of '08, and the dismantling of most of our regulatory statutes could not have happened without plenty of Democratic complicity. The top corporate fund raiser in the 2008 presidential election was not Republican John McCain, but rather the Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Long ago the great financial and industrial giants of America learned that supporting winners was an easier way to guarantee mega-access in policy making, rather than endorsing a business-friendly candidate who might lose. Thus, Obama's commission on health care reform chaired by the CEO of Aetna Insurance, a major campaign contributor. Did you really think we would get a public option? Remember the Administration's roll out of its energy policy? Drilling in the Gulf and nuclear power are the cornerstones of this "change we can believe in." Sounds pretty hollow in light of BPs great engineering feat off Louisana's coast. Oh yeah, BP gave more money to Obama than any other candidate!
So what now? I think it is time for voters to spend less time worrying about who gets elected. As long as big money is a legitimate player in the game, voters have little hope for any real reform. The so-called Tea Part movement, touted by big bucks media corporations as a "populist movement," is anything but. The brains behind this "grass roots" movement are long-time Washington insiders and corporate lackeys, retired Republcan Congressman Dick Armey, and retired Texas Senator Phil, I love big oil, Gramm. Using money loving toadies like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to rouse the masses, they have deftly manipulated their none to bright adherents to believe that government, not runaway corporate malfeasance is to blame for all our national woes. Yeah, that is what we need, less regulation and more unbridled capitalism. Just ask any of the shrimp fishermen in the Gulf states about that one. No, instead it is time for a little economic guerrilla warfare. My vote may be for sale, but so too is every product being pushed by every corporation now trying to buy our government. There is a bill before the House to mandate that all corporate campaign spending must be completely transparent. Right now businesses can disguise their contributions, known as money laundering in traditional criminal enterprises, by donating to organizations like the Chamber of Commerce. This allows them to remain hidden from consumers who may not like the color of their politics. Why? Because they want all your business while they are stealing your government.
As any DEA agent knows in the battle against drug cartels, it is easier to follow the money than it is to interdict the drug trafficking. Who cares who is running for office, I want to know where their money came from. Imagine if voters began to use their consumer power to lodge support or displeasure in political choices, rather than relying on the empty political promises of the top fund raisers. Think it can't work? Take a look at the state of BP's stock prices. Don't like the candidate or issues funded by Bank of America or Citibank? Move your money to a local institution and cancel your big bank credit card. Tired of giant agribusiness tainted food and multi-national corporate drugs poisoning your kids? Buy other brands and watch what happens. Yeah, you know what this is called right? Economic boycott! And thanks to the Internet, it is easier than ever before to get the word out about big business behaving badly. Does anyone here in California actually think that an ex-Ebay CEO and ex-HP CEO are going to bring about any real change? Better to move your trading to Craig's List and buy your printers from Canon if you want to see any real action!
What if they held an election and no one showed up? No I am not advocating that, at least not yet. But I bet if more of us were willing to get economically rather than politically active, we could see real change, really quickly in the direction of our society. A fact this not lost on any billionaire board chairman in the United States is the reality that over ninety percent of corporate wealth is created by middle class consumer spending. We really are the lifeblood of our national economy. Until there is a real chance for populist progressive change in our political system, maybe we ought to bring about some eco-populism in our buying habits. GM and Toyota sure got the message. Anyone up for a boycott of all BP products? As for voting, my new policy is if you take corporate money, you cannot have my vote. If you made millions or billions in big business, you cannot have my vote. If you are promoting any positions funded by private capital, you cannot have my vote. And you know what? I don't care if you win, because right after I vote I am going shopping! So up yours General Mills!
