The return of the robber barons

Class inequality in the US is astounding and growing rapidly. But we don't really hear or read about it, because all the news - even on the "liberal" NPR focuses on the "business" report. In other words, the economic health is that of the corporations and their CEOs. If it's good for them, it's good for business and good for the USA. How about what's good for the workers? Why can't we have a "workers' report?" Of course, if that actually happened, eyes might be opened. Or not. Americans tend to have brains rotted from within by Survivor and American Idol, and other "reality" shows. 

The very wealthiest make SO MUCH more than their workers, and pay so little in taxes due to all the loopholes placed intentionally in the tax code by sympathetic Congresscritters, we're quickly becoming a nation of haves and have-nots. I was in El Salvador this past summer and saw what that looks like. In other words, we're headed the way of becoming a third-world country. 

Our economy is in shambles in the world market - the euro and the British pound are both killing the dollar and the Canadian dollar has achieved parity with the USD. All it would take now is the Chinese calling in their notes on all they're propping up here to cause another Great Depression. What's holding them back? Probably the fact that a depression can't be localized - it would affect them, too.

We need a drastic change in all things US. I hate that folks who favor liberalism and/or socialism are considered no better than pedophiles in our backward nation. Without liberalism (or progressivism), we would have had no changes in our society.  Ever. It allows that government - all three branches - are there to help and protect the powerless and the minorities. After all, the powerful and those in the majority hardly require protection.

Socialism has been in place, in vary degrees, throughout most of the Western World. The glaring exception, of course, is the US. Look at health care. It is plainly obvious that a single-payer system is the best AND the most economically-sound system that takes care of ALL the residents of at country. But all the conservatives (Republicans and Democrats alike) need do is say, "Socialized medicine!" and the American sheeple run scared, not caring to notice that it would be better for them and for everyone else.

This is where so many Americans are so lacking: a lack of commitment to a "social contract." Hillary was criticized roundly for her book, It Takes a Village, but she was right. In fact, the idea that the entire community can help shape a person's mental and physical health is a very old one. I particularly enjoy pointing out to fundies that the message of Jesus, as well as the life of the early Christian church, was very socialistic. Everyone helped everyone else. The fundies can't refute it, so they start spewing more bullshit than is normal for them. I live in anticipation of their heads exploding some day from the cognitive dissonance.

But the concept of helping others to make eveyone better is so different, is it not, from the modern-day American mindset of "Screw you. What's in it for me?"

Before I ramble forever, please read the following article. It's a good one:

America in Crisis: The Liberal Challenge and the Prospects for Socialism