This from yesterday’s Democracy Now, (11/17/08) with Amy Goodman interviewing Naomi Klein.
“Think about what these leaders could do if they really wanted to,” Klein suggested. “When you have a crisis like this, which so clearly shows the need for those types of regulations, when you have an election like there just was in the United States, where people have said clearly that this is a priority, the leaders have an opportunity to act. … But they blew that opportunity, and they actually called for less regulation.”
“This crisis isn’t over,” Klein warned, “and the same people who justified this bailout, who clamored for this bailout, are the very people who are going to turn around and say to Barack Obama, ‘We can’t afford for you to make good on your election promises. We can’t afford universal healthcare.'”
“The money has been given to the people who needed it least, and it’s going to be used to justify austerity measures imposed against those who need it most,” Klein concluded. “It’s going to be used to justify cuts to food stamps. It’s going to be used to justify cuts to Social Security, to health care, let alone being used to justify why more ambitious plans for a national health care program, for green energy are not affordable. So people have to be ready for this. You know, the next shock is yet to come.”
I want to tell the pond “I told you so.”
Yup – this is quintessential disaster capitalism as described in The Shock Doctrine.
g.
This is the real Bush legacy, honey.
If Bunnypants has ever actually been concerned on that count, he’s now at ease. This would explain the extra smirks-n’-winks at some of his late addresses.
His administration has clearly been prepared to sacrifice even US hegemony — the pure raison d’etre of the De Facto President’s PNAC — to the simple consolidation of power.
Amusing to think that if McCain had actually stood firm on his initial objections (again, a matter of actual principle) & spearheaded the GOP’s constituent-driven opposition, while using it whole-hog (or pig) against the perception of Washington elitism (maverick, anyone?) his campaign might’ve actually presented a late-game challenge to the preconceived victor. Even given that his running mate was a practicing socialist …
The gigantic depression boulder is delicately trying to balance itself at the top of the hill. Meanwhile the two main ideologies in this country mindlessly argue past each other ignoring the shaking boulder precariously perched on the lip of the hill. The liberal/green group will reluctantly give the US automakers 25 Bil, but they want assurances about reducing executive pay and alternative energy cars and other futuristic stuff. The other group, the Repug super conservative group are dead set against giving the US automakers a dime unless the big 3 agree to total reorganization; which in their mindset means kicking out the unions. Actually the only thing this group has against Detroit is the presence of labor unions in the American automobile industry. They see this as an opportunity to bust up ‘big labor once and for all!
The real tragedy here is that neither group is REALLY aware that if GM goes bankrupt next week it will TIP that big ol’ boulder over the top and start it rolling down hill crushing everything in its path. Businesses will begin an unstoppable sequence of deadly collapse. Stock Market chaos will pop the circuit breakers. The Fed will lament helplessly as it is forced to shutter its windows. Banks will remain open to empty lobbies, vacant counters, and no foot traffic. And when the boulder come to rest, America will sit in the cold icy grip of depression. Only fools ignore the inevitable.
One wonders what it will actually take to disconnect the majority from the minority, in terms of perceived self-interest.
This just might do it.