In 1981, Ronald Reagan, a Republican, kick-started an era under the slogan, Government isnt the solution. Its the problem. In 27 years, liberal and market economies have successfully crushed the standing of popular Democratic economy principles and brought about the end of state-run economic leadership and the withering of remaining socialist economy policies.
And what does, 27 years later, another Republican, George Walter [Walker] Bush, offer us as a parting gift? The counter-slogan: Government isnt the problem. Its the solution.
A couple of days ago, Le Monde told the story of a perfect unknown, Bill Perkins, who took out a full-page publicity ad in the New York Times. We can imagine a huge cartoon of George Bush, Ben Bernanke (Chair of the Federal Reserve (FED)) and the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson. All three are planting the American flag in a cemetery. The tombs read Capitalism, Private Enterprise and Big Insurance. In place of the 50 stars on the American flag, there is a sickle and a hammer. In a logo above the three mens heads, it reads: The New Communists.
Americas leaders now find themselves transforming into socialists. Risk doesnt exist, The markets will regulate themselves, Finance isnt only virtual and Everyone owns everything are four beliefs shaken to their core. No one can say that there werent any warnings. The Internet bubble was very clear. Is it true, nevertheless, that capitalism has met its maker?
Arent we rather in a period where the powerlessness of the powerful leaves an opening for free competition for everyone? Some political leaders, namely Nicolas Sarkozy, bring to mind a new Bretton Woods. First off, blocking the movement of capital may be interesting, but alas, absurd. A more reasonable solution may come from redefining the role of the major banks, a necessary action for economic liberalism to survive amidst the fundamentalist deregulation practices of the Bush era and to avoid lending to the wings of economic intervention that would give way to dictatorships.
as an american it is interesting to me to see the american brand of capitalism self destruct.
any nation that has 47 million without health care and millions more that cannot get insurance for their pre existing medical conditions and makes war on third world countries for their oil or wars for profits may want to take an inside look at themselves in the mirror.
but no we americans are too arrogant to do that after all every thing american is best in the world.
please world not all americans are imperialists or war mongers but sad to say most are imperialists.
over 50 years of conditioning by our industrial military complex has turned most americans into imperialists and they dont have a clue they are imperialists. not a clue.