The End of the Consumerist Model | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters

Hi, This is a double-header: Now we have 'The End of the Consumerist Model' which was posted last week on MBCivic by Mike Blaxil and I include again the link. Now I give you Pat Hunter's comments on Thom Hartman's writings posted in my last MBBlog. No subject is more important than the realization that the historic model of capitalism must and will change. It is going to be a rough ride. Many, perhaps most people, certainly of the 1%, do not recognize that famous album title, 'Forever Changes'. To survive we must change. The faster the better, the non-violent the best. We went from the Industrial Age to the Financial Age. We are now entering the Cultural Age. Let us hope that the transition is graceful and civilized, that not too many bodies are left in its wake. Please read all of these, harbingers of our future. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Need to Relocalize Our Economies

We often hear 'to big to fail' about banks, corporations, monopolies, media and so forth. I often wonder if federal governments of whatever persuasion do not have a similar problem. Take North Dakota as an example. A sparsely populated state has been able to protect itself by avoiding size as a mantra. By localizing its banking structure it has taken care of local problems in a local way-knowledge. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Sunday, November 20, 2011

The GOP’s History of ‘Hostage-Taking’ | Consortiumnews

Whether you are Democrat, Independent or Republican it is important that you have this information. It shows the background of the current political stalemate which is destroying our country. Republican aggressiveness compared to Democrat disarray delivers us to limbo. The only possible explanation is that both parties are beholden to corporate interests-which is probably the facts. As a nation we have elected representatives who are so ineffective that we must question our national IQ when in comes to civics. With social studies under attack in our educational system and history relegated to minor studies what can one expect. Was it Franklin who said, 'Now you have a Republic, if you can keep it'. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, November 12, 2011

Defense Industry: Keep Paying Us or the Economy Dies

Well, sooner or later the MIC would have to really start putting the financial squeeze on us. Extortion, blackmail whatever you want to call it. We were warned by none other than President Eisenhower in his final speech to the nation. He was going to name it the Military Industrial Congressional Complex. You know, our politicians were already on the take. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Sunday, October 30, 2011

Reagan Insider: ‘GOP Destroyed US Economy’

More information about the 'Pied Piper' of America. Historically understanding how we got into the mess we are in. No point in continued blame. Reagan is no longer with us. However, let us hope we can learn from the past. The danger is the continuous idolatry of his philosophy by too many politicians of both parties. Nice man but a disastrous leader. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, October 15, 2011

Reagan’s ‘Greed Is Good’ Folly | Consortiumnews

Many have felt that the downward slide of America was the work of Richard Nixon. It certainly began with his 'War on Drugs' and racial manipulation of the South. However the real 'eminence gris' of American politics is Ronald Reagan. Nixon did a lot more good than Reagan, who put the frosting on the cake of greed. His philosophy of 'Greed is Good' started a trend which has become a nearly mortal disease for America. This article by Robert Perry deserves your attention. It counters many of the points of the idolization of perhaps the most dangerous of all the Presidents in our history. Our grandchildren will be paying for his excesses. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Dangerous Reagan Cult | Consortiumnews

I have written many times that America's downward spiral had its genesis with what Richard Nixon wrought. However Reagan brought it to new heights of anti government rhetoric. "Government is the enemy" became the mantra. Emasculate the regulators. We have paid dearly for this negative approach. Now more idol making of a man who set up the roadmap for the destruction of the American middle class. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Friday, September 16, 2011

The Corporate State Wins Again – Chris Hedges

Well, posting this again from Civic because I'd like to note the words this article brings to mind: Red Scare, Cold War, Truman, Dulles, Ike, War on Terror, external/internal enemies, critics, dissent, empire, globalization, neoliberalism, lobbyist rule, Democrats shill for the Right, education control, bread and circuses, celebrity, trivia. Where do these terms take us? Fear is the mantra. Through fear the corporatocracy uses ruthless domination to win again and again. NB: Even Eisenhower woke and warned us during his final address. The Military Industrial (Congressional) Complex. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Monday, September 5, 2011

Assange: Rioters Are Doing “Big Brother” a Favor

Assange is definitely on the mark. This is a rule that violence begets violence. Ghandi and King were right, non-violence is the best best method for change. If the Yippies had not taunted Richard Daley who police reacted as expected. I warned the Mayor before they came. The result: we got Nixon as President - the beginnings of the end. It has been downhill since for America. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, August 27, 2011

What Does This All Mean? from Karl Sanda

I have seen this before. I am certain you all have seen it at least once. It is so pertinent that I had to see it again. I felt I should send it agin. It really makes you think? mb Thanks Karl
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, July 23, 2011

Rutten | The End of American Optimism

I can't say more than Rutten. Many will say it is a good thing. Now America may come nearer to reality. Others, well it was fun while it lasted. If we could just take money out of the equation. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Obama’s Original Sin – Frank Rich

I am doing something I have not done before. On the same day I am double posting the same article. Why? because I think is so good. It is by one of my favorite writers, Frank Rich who recently left the NYTimes. This is his first article we have seen from him in the New York magazine. It is a great article about the nub of a major problem facing Obama-who is a great disappointment. We probably will go to the alter again with him. Not this time with the same love of yore but because the alternative will probably be a rapist. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Monday, July 4, 2011

Global Energy Crisis Deepens

I am looking for some good news, but here is another bummer. It does not require much comment on my part. The story is short, swift and nasty. The government, and not only ours but many others, seem incapable of recognizing how bad things are. My fear is they do know and do not want to tell us. Strange, as the use of fear has always been their trump card in controlling populations. Give them bread and circus-plenty of the later nowadays-don't have them concentrate on the serious issues. Like this one. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, June 11, 2011

The New-Economy Movement | Common Dreams

Let's face it! Something has to change. The world is obviously in the process of change. The established orders are in increasing disarray. Progressives are pushing for change. Reactionaries hasten movements towards fascism. These positions will be constantly pressured to increase because the root causes are not going to diminish-in fact the opposite. Cancerous is the growth of populations. Clergy for more souls, commerce for customers, politicians for votes and of course the military for cannon-fodder. There is no question that climate is having a deleterious effect on our planet. Meanwhile we continue to plunder our home of its resources. As if we will never run out of anything. Both private and public corporations are allowed to grow 'too big to fail' so we are forced to take action such as what we are just now going through; public bailing out of 'banksters' who with their overwhelming greed have brought to world financial system to its knees. Monopolies are becoming the rule instead of the exception; a bit more subtle nowadays as instead of just one,a small number are allowed to dominate an entire sector . The philosophy of capitalism has been bastardized into corporatism. It has been converted to a system of size, no longer structures of individuals making things. Now it is just money; the making of money has become the prime driver of our economy. Social responsibility is a joke under the emergent system. It has become evident that their must be a change in what we pursue. Money cannot supply the happiness and well being of the human race. There has to be another objective-another lodestar.mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, May 28, 2011

Truthdig – The Obama Deception: Why Cornel West Went Ballistic – Chris Hedges

This is a very strong article on a difficult important subject. It certainly reads as if Obama has treated a strong supporter in a very shabby manner, when Cornel West began to blow a whistle. I find myself close to concern as to what and whom I voted for. I thought we were going to see change and some movement in a progressive sense. What we have seen is an entrenchment of the elites who created and supported the problems we are facing today. What has been done to rectify the crimes of the last incumbent administration. Not to mention that since Nixon it has been a downhill slide for all of us. Both parties are in thrall to the corporation state. Mussolini or Hitler would be at home. mb
Posted by Michael Butler, Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Truthdig – All the WikiLeaks Fit to Print – Robert Scheer

What is really clear is the avoidance of openness, transparency, or in many cases the truth from many facets of our government. This is nothing new. It is getting worse. It is not only the government but the major media in this country who are increasingly not releasing all the information they have. What is worse is their attitude about WikiLeaks and/or Bradley Manning. They should be very supportive. Instead major media choose to avoid connections. How can America solve its major problem without openness, freedom of information and the truth. How can such objectives be achieved without support and appreciation of whistle-blowers.
Posted by Michael Butler, Sunday, May 8, 2011

Why a lack of empathy is the root of all evil

Empathy is honored by all philosophies and all religions. Why does the radical right lack empathy and escapes the condemnation of all?
Posted by Michael Butler, Monday, April 25, 2011