Can we get a handle on Capitalism?

[redqueen]

Huge corporations steer public policy - concentration of media ownership is part of this effort. We would need supermajorities in both houses plus the white house to make a significant dent in the stranglehold the rich have over everyone else. Given the media's constant interference and failure to inform - is there any chance of this happening?

Sorry. Just the despair again.

Kellogg’s CEO: Let them eat Corn Flakes for dinner
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/02/26/food/kellogg-ceo-cereal-dinner/index.html

Why SpaceX, Amazon, and Trader Joe’s are pushing an aggressive lawsuit that would fundamentally undermine labor organizing
https://www.fastcompany.com/91035382/why-spacex-amazon-and-trader-joes-are-pushing-an-aggressive-lawsuit-that-would-fundamentally-undermine-labor-organizing

Most homes for sale in 2023 were not affordable for a typical U.S. household
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/24/1221480443/most-homes-for-sale-in-2023-were-not-affordable-for-a-typical-u-s-household

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTL1D6dwy/

[leftstreet]

1. No n/t

[Simeon Salus]

2. What's happening to Americans is not sustainable even in the short term

What the repubs have done to this country in just 40 years is punishable by the death of their party.

[Meadowoak]

3. That's coming in about 8 months.

[limbicnuminousity]

4. Nope.

Predatory capitalism is irreparable.

[DENVERPOPS]

9. Agree Limbic

Since the installation of Reagan in the White House, (literally, he was installed in the white house), by HW/Cheney/ETC's acts of Treason, the Corporations, egged on by the Uber Wealthy and corporations, have had a full court press ON OBLITERATING ALL THAT FDR INSTITUTED. Especially in the way of Regulatory Agencies.... And since that taking over of the white house by HW/Cheney/etc,
I have been screaming from the roof tops about what I was watching and seeing happen with the Republicans slow but un-ending march forwards........
They were all fat, dumb, and happy with the Gilded Age and the Great Depression,. With them at the top and all U.S. Citizens at the bottom as serfs and peasants.

I read Grapes of Wrath in the 8th grade, I just re-read it. Wow, looking at it from an 8th graders knowledge of the U.S. and looking at it now as a man of 75, having watched the destruction of the U.S. by the corporations was mind boggling.......Wow

The corporations rule most of America now, with only 5-10% left to go..........They are a hair away form the destruction of the USA and will install a CSA if they can this election......Corporate States of America......Or better said: Corporate Fascist Tyranny of America
The Corporations, Uber Wealthy Oligarchs, their paid off Republican Politicians, and brain washed TrumpHumpers will stop at nothing this time around...........I predict that every day of 2024 between now and the election we will see increasing pressure put forth.
I feel that this year, will be unlike any other in the ENTIRE HISTORY of our beloved America..................

I was arguing with someone what the definition of Fascism was. I opened a dictionary and proved my point to them:
It said the simplest definition of Fascism is a merging of Corporations and Government......

And here we sit on the doorstep of them taking charge, via Trump and the Republican Party, as well as countless Republican Oligarchs........and also their 70 million, Trumphumpers, brainwashed by FOX and RW Radio

I often say, the perfect title for a book about the past 45+ years would be: WHILE THE NATION SLEPT......

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. Need more people to WAKE UP...

[KT2000]

6. End stage capitalism

or as I like to call it - cannibalism. Of particular interest now is the conversion of homes to financial instruments instead of family homes. Financial institutions are buying up homes to rent or leave empty, as are individuals entering the short-term rental market. Foreign investors are involved as well. All of these activities contribute to our housing shortage and increase the cost of housing. They will sell at a large profit.

The government has been called upon to remedy the housing shortage. Now the ideas are to subsidize new builds, tax cuts for new builds, etc. No one dares to do anything about the source of the problem. Some countries have established fees for purchases of housing by foreign individuals and companies. They have hefty fines for leaving a home empty. They have worked with the source of the problem, which something the money obsessed US would never do.

There is a common refrain from people who want to purchase neighborhood homes for short-term rentals but face objections: I will sue you for preventing me from making money. It must be in their newsletters.

Individually too many have lost their humanity and sense of community so there is nothing to stop money/power hungry corporations from devouring us for short term profit. Corporations are psychopaths and so are more and more people.

[DENVERPOPS]

10. Totally in agreement

I often ask if these politicians care about our children and grandchildren, or are they just totally absorbed in themselves and only care about themselves. No question folks, they obviously don't give a whit about their kids or grandkids.

Lincoln once said:

"A Statesman is interested in future generations, a politician only in the next election"

[dchill]

7. Capitalism unfettered is legalized...

... enforcement of penury.

[Always Blue]

8. Personhood

Corporations need to have personhood removed. It was put in place by the robber barons. This must be one of the first things done to save our democracy. The CEOs and board members need to be held accountable for any crimes committed. Not some fine which looks like a lot of money to an average person, which is really, just pennys to the corporations. The monopolies need to be busted up years ago, like for example Amazon and Google.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

22. I would also get rid

Of shareholder primacy.


I would change it to require to put in primacy the customers well being ,society's well being employees well being ,the community the nation and the environment.

[redqueen]

23. Good call

Capitalism currently incentivizes sociopathic behavior.

[durablend]

11. You forgot

Last edited Tue Feb 27, 2024, 10:32 AM - Edit history (1)

Wendy's contemplating surge pricing.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/27/food/wendys-test-surge-pricing/index.html

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Yes. It's Called Regulation

And it worked wonderfully for 40 Yeats. Then we spent 25 years rapidly deregulating and we're reeling from those misguided efforts.
Add that to tax cuts for businesses that weren't necessary and we find ourselves here.

[Autumn]

13. No. They are the main, and face it the only important constituents of the politicians.

They keep their coffers well fed. People only vote for them .

[Always Blue]

14. Tom Hartman this morning

https://open.substack.com/pub/thomhartmann/p/have-we-reached-the-point-where-corporatism-f56?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1i4zx8

[redqueen]

15. Seems to me we passed that point years ago.

Corporations are suing governments for protecting their people and the environment.

[TwilightZone]

16. Agreed.

A key turning point was Citizens United, which was nearly 15 years ago, though corporate influence of government agencies dates back much further than that, of course.

Mr. Hartmann occasionally treats things as revelations when they've been known for years. This is one of those times.

[Always Blue]

18. Action must be taken

That is one of the reasons the democracy is at risk. Oligarchy might already have a foot.

[Always Blue]

17. Not true

It is white washing their name is all. Don't forget that Musk and Bezos wants to get rid of the National Labor Relations Board. Also all the companies that want regulation removed so they can cut corners on safety and pollution.

[Always Blue]

20. Well

That is how we get a handle on capitalism.

[Kid Berwyn]

19. Supermajorities in the House and Senate would be nice.

We could use the power to rebuild the nation, developing a humane culture based on advancing the health, welfare and happiness of all Americans, and protecting the environment, building a national economy and an international commerce based on shared prosperity, and creating a new and sustainable future for all in the process. We also could use the votes to rebuild the SC, which would be nice.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

21. Until the rich eat cereal for dinner

These rich greedy fucks need to lower prices and STFU.