Bill Moyers: "Our Politicians Are Little More Than $$$ Launderers In Trafficking Of Power/Policy"

[kpete]

People "Are Occupying Wall Street Because Wall Street Has Occupied the Country"

by Bill Moyers

.....................


Let's name this for what it is: Democratic deviancy defined further downward. Our politicians are little more than money launderers in the trafficking of power and policy - fewer than six degrees of separation from the spirit and tactics of Tony Soprano.

Why New York's Zuccotti Park is filled with people is no mystery. Reporters keep scratching their heads and asking: "Why are you here?" But it's clear they are occupying Wall Street because Wall Street has occupied the country. And that's why in public places across the country workaday Americans are standing up in solidarity. Did you see the sign a woman was carrying at a fraternal march in Iowa the other day? It read: "I can't afford to buy a politician so I made this sign."


We know what all this money buys. Americans have learned the hard way that when rich organizations and wealthy individuals shower Washington with millions in campaign contributions, they get what they want. They know that if you don't contribute to their campaigns or spend generously on lobbying....

...........................



And so it came to pass; came to pass despite your heroic efforts and those of other kindred citizens; came to pass because those "men of action in the capitalist world" were not content with their wealth just to buy more homes, more cars, more planes, more vacations and more gizmos than anyone else. They were determined to buy more democracy than anyone else. And they succeeded beyond their own expectations. After their 40-year "veritable crusade" against our institutions, laws and regulations - against the ideas, norms and beliefs that helped to create America's iconic middle class - the Gilded Age is back with a vengeance.



MORE (goosebumps...):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-moyers/occupy-wall-street_b_1071288.html?ref=yahoo&ir=Yahoo

[Fumesucker]

1. Ouch.. That one is going to leave a mark.

:patriot:

[cyberpj]

2. "It's a club -- and you're not in it." - but Boehner and Obama are...

along with a vast majority of our goverment at every level.

snip-
- yet private wealth multiplies as public goods are beggared. And the property qualifications for federal office that the framers of the Constitution expressly feared as an unseemly "veneration for wealth" are now openly in force; the common denominator of public office, even for our judges, is a common deference to cash.

snip-
John Boehner calls on the bankers, holds out his cup, and offers them total obeisance from the House majority if only they fill it. That's now the norm, and they get away with it. GOP once again means Guardians of Privilege.


Barack Obama criticizes bankers as "fat cats", then invites them to dine at a pricey New York restaurant where the tasting menu runs to $195 a person. That's now the norm, and they get away with it. The President has raised more money from banks, hedge funds, and private equity managers than any Republican candidate, including Mitt Romney. Inch by inch he has conceded ground to them while espousing populist rhetoric that his very actions betray.

[emilyg]

17. ....

+1

[cyberpj]

18. kickin' it up the Forum list. nt

[Kaleko]

20. + 2

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. And, we pay them to do it.

[malaise]

4. MUST READ - wish I could Rec 1,000 times n/t

[kentuck]

5. Leave it to Bill Moyers...

to tell it like it is.

[BrendaBrick]

10. I remember reading here on DU

that Moyers will be back on the airwaves in January. (Can't recall the particulars).

[AntiFascist]

6. K&R, some journalists really do get it! n/t

[DCKit]

23. It's Bill Moyers - old school. nt

[closeupready]

7. Correct. K&R.

I have to say I am suddenly feeling more optimistic now that people recognize corruption for what it is, and are calling politicians out on their own complicity in this dishonest practice of peddling influence and the revolving door between government and lobbyists.

[Blue Owl]

8. Ahhh, the sound of REAL JOURNALISM

:kick:

[redqueen]

9. K&R

Love that man.

[DeSwiss]

11. Truth.

- K&R

[florida08]

29. that picture says it all

[firehorse]

12. thank you Bill Moyers, we need more of you

[ljm2002]

13. That is one of the best quotes yet...

...because it is so obviously true. Although I would remove the phrase "little more than"...

[ellenfl]

14. kick for later. eom

[defendandprotect]

15. Unregulated capitalism is merely organized crime -- this is what our Dems/Congress have given us!!

[katty]

16. Bill, getting right to the point!! K&R

[Major Hogwash]

19. Republicans, Bill, most of the Republicans.

But, damn few Democrats were bought off.

[tomp]

27. major hogwash!

you're either blind or complicit.

[pmorlan1]

21. K & R

As usual, Bill Moyers is right on target.

[louslobbs]

22. There it is, the ugly truth and all that it encompasses, thanks kpete. n/t

Lou

[spanone]

24. k&r...

[ooglymoogly]

25. When Moyers speaks the earth shakes.

One of our greatest patriots and one of a very small cadre of an endangered species...a true journalist....a man of honor...Calling on us to come to the aid of our dying country in its last breath of democracy.

[Blue_In_AK]

26. That man is an American treasure.

This is the best thing I've read in a while. Thank you for posting it.

[City Lights]

28. Excellent, informative read! Thanks for posting!

I love this: GOP=Guardians of Privilege.

[florida08]

30. KICK KICK KICK

"the Gilded Age is back with a vengeance".

These are the racketeers, the bloodsuckers and leeches of the underworld who parade around with titles like Senator and actually get respect for screwing us to the wall. Please America...wake up.

We hold elections, knowing they are unlikely to produce the policies favored by the majority of Americans. We speak, we write, we advocate - and those in power turn deaf ears and blind eyes to our deepest aspirations. We petition, plead, and even pray - yet the earth that is our commons, which should be passed on in good condition to coming generations, continues to be despoiled.

Can't keep voting for the lesser of evil. The country has gotten worse by doing so. Stolen elections, activism by SCOTUS against us, redistricting but the doublespeak is the worse. You can't stop a flood with a bucket. If we vote we lose, if we boycott we lose.
The electorate votes emotionally(mostly GOP)not with facts. They have us just where they want us.

[tilsammans]

31. K & R! n/t

[Hotler]

32. kicking. n/t

[xchrom]

33. Recommend

[olegramps]

34. Outstanding Article

The American Workers cut their own throat when they swallowed the Corporate propaganda and abandon the Unions. When 36% of the work force was organized they had the power to elect representatives that actually represented their interest. I can not conceive of any way in which the worker can regain any control over their destiny unless they unionize. United in unions they can challenge the power of the corporations. By themselves they are at the mercy of the wealthy who will impoverish them. The New Gilded Age is not something in the future, it is a present day reality that that is strangling the workers. Class Warfare, Hell yes!!!! Its time organize and revolt.

[olegramps]

35. Time for Action:

The American Workers cut their own throat when they swallowed the Corporate propaganda and abandon the Unions. When 36% of the work force was organized they had the power to elect representatives that actually represented their interest. I can not conceive of any way in which the workers can regain any control over their destiny unless they unionize. United in unions they can challenge the power of the corporations. By themselves they are at the mercy of the wealthy who will impoverish them. The New Gilded Age is not something in the future, it is a present day reality that is strangling the workers. Class Warfare, Hell yes!!!! Its time organize and revolt.

[lonestarnot]

36. Making a come-back one member at a time.

[olegramps]

44. Will the workers wakeup before it is too late and a whole generation is condemned to poverty?

[lonestarnot]

45. Probably already too late.

[Beavker]

37. Eloquently put. True to the core.

Funny thing is that righties will still argue these points. But the bottom line is that even if WE are wrong, we are on the side of everyday people. Even if those people don't appreciate the position.

[AikidoSoul]

38. Bill Moyers is my most favorite journalist in the world.

There is nobody who is more eloquent. :loveya: Bill!

[yesphan]

39. I was fortunate to have seen

Bill Moyers give a lecture a few days ago at Oklahoma City University.
The man is a true national treasure and there are far to few of his ilk remaining.

He will be back on the air (coming out of retirement)in January.

http://www.nationofchange.org/bill-moyers-air-new-show-1314548350

[Douglas Carpenter]

40. yes they are!!

[blkmusclmachine]

41. .

:kick:

[indypaul]

42. Benjamin Franklin warned us 224 years ago

at the close of the Constitutional Convention:

"In these comments, Sir. I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such;
because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but
what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe further that this is
likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other
forms have done before it, when people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government,
being incapable of any other."

[blackspade]

43. Excellent speech.

K&R!

[Kaleko]

46. Kick