Because of the 4th of July, there has been a lot of talk and blogging about the Constitution. "If We Can Keep It" was the famous phrase quoted after the signing of the Constitution. Few thought the Constitution would survive to set up a working government, much less, still be the guiding document for a society some 250 years later.
Even with the Constitution still intact, we can lose our Democracy, or freedom, and our independent lifestyle. "Opportunity" can only be assured in a thriving economy. Class divisions in America means class division according to how much money one has. Laws eliminate the class differences of race, religion and other groups that defined class differences centuries ago.
If our country splits to sharply between those who have and those who have not, America will not work. That split is sharper now than in decades. Those who have will not tax themselves to help those who have not. Although, in a past generation, that's exactly what the people who had, did.
We all know the secret to America and its promise lies in our small businesses. Yet we seem to have a climate in national politics of large corporate leanings and financial interests.
These corporations have been given financial help by the people (our tax dollar bailouts) in the hope that would preserve opportunity for the individual. The corporations were saved from going under, but these corporations have not spread the good fortune to the individual. Why should they? They regained their losses. Do we expect them to care about individuals?
In order for these corporate interests to thrive and make huge profits, they support the conservative (Republican) agenda of small government and less taxes. In time of national need for individuals, they make it sound anti-American for the government to aid its citizens.
Individuals suffering is not something corporations add to their profit equation. All the talk about good, happy employees makes a better company, is hogwash! It might, but corporations could care less about the happiness of their employees. During times of high unemployment, is their best situation. Worker complaints diminish during times of high unemployment. In fact, this is the time corporations take the most advantage of workers. Americans seem to think it's a good thing to have fewer union workers. Really? Wait until they have no say in what the company they work for does to them, or for them.
As baby boomers are retiring, corporations are planning for the slim down. They are not about to have old people (with lots of health problems) and high pensions. Government and corporations being frugal, cutting services, pay, and benefits will have a new and colder definition in the future for individuals.
These earnings splits can ruin a society, thus a country and the government. The Constitution cannot stop the mean, selfish nature of capitalist, or profiteers. If we neglect and abuse the individual, we die. The country was set up for people, individuals. If we forget that and allow our legislators to make laws favoring corporations, we give up our freedom and liberty. The Constitution will still be intact, but the country will be lost and broke.
Stay A While Version (An earlier version of this post from 7/8/2010).
Because of the 4th of July, there has been a lot of talk and blogging about the Constitution. "If We Can Keep It" was the famous phrase quoted after the signing of the Constitution. Few thought the Constitution would survive to set up a working government, much less, still be the guiding document for a society some 230 years later.
Even with the Constitution still intact, we can lose our Democracy, or freedom, and our independent lifestyle. "Opportunity" can only be assured in a thriving economy. Class divisions in America means class division according to how much money one has. Laws eliminate the class differences of race, religion and other groups that defined class differences centuries ago.
If our country splits to sharply between those who have and those who have not, America will not work. That split is sharper now than in decades. Those who have will not tax themselves to help those who have not. although, in past generations, that’s exactly what the people who had, did.
We all know the secret to America and its promise lies in our small businesses. Yet we seem to have a climate in national politics of large corporate leanings and financial interests.
These corporations have been given financial help by the people (our tax dollar bailouts) in the hope that would preserve opportunity for the individuals. The corporations were saved from going under, but these corporations have not spread the good fortune to the individuals. Why should they. They regained their losses. Do we expect them to care about individuals?
In order for these corporate interests to thrive and make huge profits, they support the conservative (Republican) agenda of small government and less taxes. In time of national need for individuals, they make it sound anti-American for the government to aid is citizens.
Individuals suffering is not something corporations add to their profit equation. All the talk about good, happy employees makes a better company, is hogwash! It might, but corporations could care less about the happiness of their employees. During times of high unemployment, is their best situation. Worker complaints diminish during times of high unemployment. In fact, this is the time corporations take the most advantage of workers. Americans seem to think it’s a good thing to have fewer union workers. Really? Wait until they have no say in what the company they work for does to them, or for them.
As baby boomers are retiring, corporations are planning for the slim down. They are not about to have old people (with lots of health problems) and high pensions. Being frugal and cutting services will have a new and colder definition in the future for corporations.
These splits can ruin a society, thus a country and the government. The Constitution cannot stop the mean, selfish nature of capitalist, or profiteers. If we neglect and abuse the individual, we die. The country was set up for people, individuals. If we forget that and allow our legislators to make laws favoring corporations, we die.
The Constitution will still be intact, but the country will be lost and dead.
2 Responses (this commentary received 2 comments when published on Stay A While).
Sue: Tom I've told this story before and I'm not sure you read it... My husband worked for a manufacturing company that is family owned and now across the globe selling flooring. He worked for them for 15 years, one night was called in at 2 am to do a job, the company actually refused to pay the guys overtime pay so he argued and argued til he was fired for insubordination! AND they claimed he was trying to form a union which he was not! SO, he went to the Labor Relations Board in Philly and they settled out of court for a modest amout that was nothing really once we HAD to pay back unemployment from the money!! This company, Mannington Flooring, claims to be family oriented, small town caring for the employees, and it could not be farther from the truth! My husband actually Begged for his job back from the company owner who he went to church with and played basketball with!!! No job is safe today, there is no consideration for time put in a company, you are just a number, not a human being...
02. July 11, 2010 at 10:46 am.
TomCat: Tom, I personally thing our Constitution is one of the greatest documents in human history. So few Americans know what it says that they are too ignorant to object when it is violated.
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