Jim Hightower: New Year's Resolutions To Help Make Corporate Fat Cats & Our Politicians Human Again

[highplainsdem]

http://www.alternet.org/story/144766/new_year%27s_resolutions_to_help_make_corporate_fat_cats_and_our_politicians_human_again

Great column on America's spirit of giving, and the importance of contributing to the common good.

If only our leaders in Washington and on Wall Street would begin practicing this true American Philosophy. Maybe we could help get them in the proper frame of mind by urging a bit of introspection on their part. With New Year's Day right around the corner, I was working on my list of New Year's resolutions when it occurred to me that some of the people running our country could benefit from my suggestions for their lists. No need for them to thank me --I'm happy to help!

Let's start, then, with those proud-and-loud members of Congress who've adamantly opposed real health insurance reform for workaday Americans. Not only do I include the entire block of Republican lawmakers whose vocabulary is limited to the word "no," but also those pathetic Democrats who've compromised the reform idea into corporate mush. It would be neat (and only fair) for each of these stalwarts of the status quo to make this vow for 2010: "Since I helped kill reform, I will give up the excellent government-paid, socialized health coverage that I get so that I am in the same leaky boat as my constituents."

And here's one for the barons of Wall Street, who continue to float on billions of dollars in government bailout money, yet are grabbing bonus payments for themselves, while pouting that the public is not showing them the love they deserve: "I hereby pledge to go through the 12-step detox program of Greedheads Anonymous to cure my narcissism and become a human being again."

Let's not forget the Obamacans, either! They came into office on an antiwar, anti-fat cat, pro-middle-class program, yet they've expanded their war, catered to fat cats and offered the middle class nothing but "a jobless recovery." Here's the resolution we need from Obama: "In year two of my term, I promise to Democrat-up by getting some economic advisors who've actually met a real worker and downloading some recordings of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt to my iPod. I'll also require top officials in my administration to volunteer at least one loved one to go to war in Afghanistan." If only we can get those in charge to make these pledges, we'll all have a happier New Year!

[sabrina 1]

1. 'corporate mush.'

Love Jim Hightower. Another who sees what is really going on.

Not to worry though, the Obamacans will be along to throw him under the bus where it's getting very, very crowded with real Progressives these days.

[Lisa0825]

2. I liked him until he endorsed phony Kinky Friedman for Texas Governor.

I lost a lot of respect for Hightower for pushing that fraud on us.

[tbyg52]

3. Ditto. And you do know

that now he's supporting Kinky for Ag Commissioner? Against Hank Gilbert. I wrote him through his website both times, but have not received any reply. I have no idea what's going on in his head, but I don't like it. I may have to take his newsletter out of my sig (not to mention off my dead-tree subscription).

http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/contact

[Lisa0825]

4. Yeah, I heard that too. Progressive, my ass! Don't call yourself that and then

endorse someone like Kinky!!!

I had him on my FB. I sent him a message voicing my displeasure and then removed him from my list.

[tbyg52]

5. I'd forgotten about FB.

(I'm only there to play Mafia Wars....! ;-> ) I'll give him a piece of my mind there as well. He could use a piece of a mind, since he seems to have lost his.