Web Letters: Corporations Versus Democracy

Ned has it right! We have to get on the side of "real" democracy--a way of life our society has yet to practice. The autocratic tenets of corporate government rule both our political representatives and our workplaces.

We, the People, can change all this.

In our current political system, when we vote, We the People give away our decision-making powers to our representatives, who are sent to state and federal offices of government to legislate ways to make our lives better, our communities safe, our jobs secure, our society a peaceful one. Obviously, for reasons we will explore here, they have failed, and as a result, We the People, the majority, suffer and endure all the conditions we want addressed and resolved. We can have a working democracy. We can make the slogan "Power to the People" a reality.

We believe an informed, organized citizenry can make our society a land of lasting peace and prosperity. We have constitutional avenues through which we can form social institutions in which we will have a direct vote in all matters that affect our lives. We can cooperatively build a safe and prosperous society in harmony with our environment, and with our global neighbors.

Here is one idea we can consider: NewSystem at yahoogroups.com--a concept completely in line with Ned Resnikoff's call for a change our in present democracy, which is currently outside our real lives, we being "spectators" in this process.

Thank you, Ned!

Wally Petrovich
People for a New System

Wall, NJ

Another answer to the continuing alliance between government and corporate power is the effective utilization of citizen and consumer power. If we're upset about the fact that our government rarely acts to curb the power of large corporations, it's up to us, the citizens, to act.

Big box retail chains have impacted the American corporate landscape in unprecedented ways. The growth of the behemoth retail economy has led to labor abuses, environmental degradation and the destruction of local businesses and livelihoods. Big box companies influence international trade agreements to obtain favorable conditions, evade local taxes and support the international practices of sweatshop production and child labor.

To raise your citizen and consumer voice against these policies, join the International Day of Action against Supermarkets and Big Box Retailers. If our government refuses to act, we, the citizens, will!

Laura Karr
The Big Box Collaborative

Washington, DC

Ron Paul is addressing this issue, and he is not taking money from lobbyists. Lobbyists know they will have nothing to gain. Dr. Paul governs by principal and his votes are not for sale to the highest bidder.

His solution to this problem is to end the favors that corporations get from the government while at the same time ending the penalties that government extracts.

Of course, that goes against the way left-of-center world that this magazine and its subscribers live in. But tell me this: if corporations are too powerful, how than can the left offer up a solution that enshrines power in the biggest and most wasteful and abusive corporation in the world, that being the American government?

Gary Schor

Silver Springs, FL

As long as governments try to control corporations, corporations will try to control governments. The only solution is to separate government and economy.

Anything else will only lead to increasingly totalitarian restrictions on speech.

David Veksler

Dallas, TX

Yes, yes, yes. What about legalized stock market gambling? Practically every local municipality and foreign government and pension fund is invested in the US stock market. How can we allow public funds to be invested in funds based on corporate profit where the corporations are mandated to protect shareholders rather than stakeholders---that is, citizens and residents? Do we really want our financial security tied to the well-being of ATT?

Marc Zweier

Fremantle, Western Australia

I read with interest--and delight--Ned Resnikoff's essay. He is on the right path--especially for a teenager--to understanding and articulating critical problems in our Republic. Progressive thought springs from progressive backgrounds. Kudos to his parents. I might suggest that this young man view a documentary called The Corporation. Powerful and in- cite-ful. You'll never look at what is referred to as Corporate America the same way again. Thanks again for printing this young man's encouraging words.

Lynn Petrovich

Oakhurst, NJ