Enron, the movie, again

[question everything]

Saw it again yesterday, and felt the same rage against the traders saying "burn, baby, burn" about withholding power from California.

When the movie starts, it asks whether Enron was a single event, or whether it was about corporate America. And it is the latter.

We still have many individuals who think that it is their birth right to squeeze - their country, other businesses, individuals - as hard as they can and as long as they can get away with it.

For a short period of time - from the Great Depression to the Reagan regime - we at least believed in the concept of community responsibility. In creating laws and rules for the common good. We believed that it is our responsibility - as a society and as individuals - to assure that each has access to basic heath care, education, decent living and retirement.

But it was clear that under the surface there was still the so-called "American Dream" that everyone can escape poverty by working hard to become rich and successful.

I remember shortly after Reagan came to power, when many out of work people erected tents in front of the White House. I remember commenting then that in other countries this would lead to a revolution, but not here. Too many have been brainwashed by the myth that wealth is within their reach. Too many people do not begrudge the CEOs and investment bankers who steal and lie and squeeze others to have their lavish birthday parties; they do not believe in redistribution of wealth since they hope that some day they will be the ones. Or.. until they are personally affected and then, of course, they want the government to help them

Read again the WSJ report about the myth of the "American Dream" that I posted yesterday http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3655457&mesg_id=3655457

There is no doubt in my mind that those Enron employees would do the same as they did before the collapse - just give them a chance. They will climb on others' throats, they will cheat California and others of their power, they will adore Lay, Skilling and Fastow and will take pride in the value of the Enron stock that kept climbing, built on a house of cards. And there is no doubt in my mind that most of them voted for Bush last November.

If you have not seen the movie, go see it and let's hope that the Democrats will be able to make a better use of this during the next campaign. I doubt, though. Most sill wish that the story of Enron kept going and that they were part of it.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Is this "The Smartest Guys in the Room"?

I doubt they'll show it at a theater up here, but I sure would like to see it.

[FreedomAngel82]

2. I saw a preview

and it looks really good. They showed F911 here so maybe they'll show this movie. Will it be online too?

[question everything]

4. Yes, the same one. n/t

[Nomad559]

3. Enron Traders Caught On Tape

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=Enron_Traders

:mad:

[candy]

5. Going tomorrow---afraid I'll have to sedate myself or I may go nuts!

[damntexdem]

6. Oh, there IS an American dream ...

but it has become a nightmare.

[jazzjunkysue]

7. Great film. Explains how " keeps selling a failed program. Enron execs

did that too, for years. Lied through their teeth. It's why he's in cahoots with big business. They need him to allow their fake bookeeping and he needs them to allow his fake presidency.

That film explains alot. I highly recommend it.