The Poison of Big Business

The concept of Corporate/State collusion is one which has not yet been "defined" (as was, for example, Fascism.) But you're seeing it take shape in the ARRA.

ARRA, (pronounced error??) is HR1, being 'debated' in the Senate as we speak. It is a monumental waste, a generational-theft, and it contains the groundwork for a "Final Solution" in its healthcare provisions. It also encourages the welfare state, both in the classic definition of "welfare" and in its extension and enhancement of unemployment compensation.

But that's not the reason for this post.

McIlheran noticed something very interesting:

..the business lobbies held firm in their support of today’s bill. Remarkably, the National Association of Manufacturers not only endorsed the final agreement, but informed Members of Congress that it would be “key voting” the vote on final passage..

Not only NAM, but the Chamber of Commerce:

The president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in a speech in Detroit Thursday, tried to put a brave face on the tough year ahead. Thomas Donohue acknowledged that big business didn't get in the stimulus bill some of the tax-relief measures it most wanted, but promised the Chamber's support.

"The bottom line is that at the end of the day, we're going to support the legislation --McClatchy News

Clearly, Big Business' interests are aligned with those of the Big Government. This has always been more-or-less a truism; after all, business interests have influenced legislation and policy for years. Abe Lincoln rewarded his railroader-friends very handsomely, and those tax breaks enjoyed by GE for the last several years were written into the Bush tax-cut legislation by GE lobbyists. Patents, copyrights, "ex-im" finance--all are boons to big business.

And, of course, international business needs the protection afforded by a helluva good military.

But that raises some problems. When Big Business agitates for more taxes (as they are doing in Wisconsin), or for more construction projects, or ethanol, or whatever--is that good for the man on the street?

Well, you're about to find out. I'm a skeptic.