Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Johnny Potatoes

Not really sure where the phrase came from, but my Dad used to say it to express something good (e.g., "Man, winning the lottery would be Johnny Potatoes"). In that spirit....

Man, we're going to miss Russ Feingold--if you read any piece this week, read this one in Think Progress (of if you've got a little more time, the whole shebang in The Nation). The "gilded age on steroids" would probably be the best description of the times we live in that I've heard. Plus one has to admire a man who even in defeat says, "Bring on 2012." Feingold doesn't just lament the corporatization of America, he encourages the reinvigoration of the Progressive movement and tells it to never stop screaming, "Fuck you, we've had enough!"

Still...the power of corporations has to give one a bit of trepidation--they have the money, they control the media, they have the jobs we need to E-A-T. As the Queen of Punk, Ms. Patti Smith, has noted, "People have the power." There is strength in numbers--and these are some pretty good numbers.

Progressives need to harness the mistrust and anger that a vast majority of Americans feel toward corporations right now to further their agenda--reducing poverty, creating good paying jobs, rebuilding infrastructure, improving education, and protecting ordinary Americans from corporate malfeasance. Difficult times call for difficult choices, and our choice now is to fight the corporatization of America or watch our standard of living continue to sink.

Me, I've already started shadow boxing....

Peace,
emaycee

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