Economic Patriotism

We have a right to defend ourselves as a nation. The conservative ideology today embraces an economic policy of completely free markets that does not defend our nation. The result, intended or not, simply makes--at least in our country--the rich richer and the poor poorer. And it is breaking the middle class.

William Greider's article in The Nation called "Now That's a Patriot Act" says: "Now here is a Patriot Act everyone can get behind. It's called the Patriot Corporation of America Act and it rewards the companies that don't screw their employees and weaken the country by moving the jobs to China and elsewhere.

"In these troubled times, doesn't that sound like common sense? Government policy presently works in opposite ways. It literally assists and subsidizes the disloyal free riders who boost their profits by dumping their obligations to the home country. It's called globalization. Establishment wisdom says there is nothing politicians can do about it."

Just like the "tight budget" mantra that I've begun to blog about, where everyone assumes there's no money to work with on anything when it comes to the government, there is a "globalization" mantra that says "there's nothing we can do about it." They say it's just a fact that we have to deal with. It's only a fact, however, because the political will and media are generally on the side of big corporations with money to give their campaigns and buy advertising, and not with the will of the people.

Greiders says: "The principle at stake is straightforward. Multinational corporations cannot continue to have it both ways--moving more and more value-added production and jobs offshore to capture cheap labor, while still enjoying all of the rewards and benefits of claiming American identity. It's not just the outrageous tax breaks. The American military defends their freedom to operate around the globe."

Isn't this true? I'd like companies to make up their minds if they're for us or against us, and let the chips fall where they may.

Greider has a book out called The Soul of Capitalism.