MY BELOVED DENMARK, AND HOW DO WE CATCH UP WITH THE DANES?

I’m ecstatic, last night David Brancaccio was a guest on the Rachel Maddow show. And guess what? … In talking with Rachel about our infrastructure, he spoke about my beloved Denmark.

If you’ve been keeping up with the posts on this blog, you know I have a love for Denmark. I love the Danes. I embrace their core values and their innovative spirit; and I often wish the United States had their kind of government.

On March 17th of this year, I posted a piece called "AMERICANS SOLD A BILL OF BULL". I wanted to let Americans know that they are deluded, and they don’t have a clue how much previous administrations [and perhaps this administration] have kept them in the dark.

Our government has also, in collusion with our corporations, and the rich, and the powerful, … perpetrated a fraud. And yet, we still live in denial about our free enterprise system.

Several days ago, I wrote a small piece called "Capitalism 201 Gone Wild" Fosters Inequality". I talked about our economic system, and my ideal economic system. Denmark comes pretty close to my ideal system.

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It is an economic system where good familial and community relationships are highly valued. When you get some time, read the piece.

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Update: "The Social Democrats led a string of coalition governments for most of the second half of the last century in a country generally known for its liberal traditions. This pattern was upset in November 2001 when a centre-right coalition promising tighter immigration controls came to power following a snap election called by the then Social Democrat Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen in an attempt to capitalise on his rising popularity in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the US." In 2007, Rasmussen was re-elected - boasting to tighten immigration and boost the economy. We'll wait to see how this change in direction will affect the social fabric of Denmark.

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Update November 10, 2010
How the Wealthy Organized to Rip Everyone Else off -- And What You Can Do to Stop It | | AlterNet by Maria Armoudian


RACHEL'S INTERVIEW WITH DAVID:
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"Michael Moore's Action Plan: 15 Things Every American Can Do Right Now"
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Denmark
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Economic Council of the Labour Movement
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Danish Council of Ethics
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The Danish National Centre for Social Research
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Copenhagen Institute
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Philip Morris and its growing negative influence in Denmark
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Infrastructure

MORE CORPORATE HEALTH INSURANCE CARTEL PIMPS AND PROSTITUTES? YOU DECIDE

Yesterday I wrote "CORPORATE CARTELS, HIGH PAID MADAMS/PIMPS AND POLITICAL PROSTITUTES . [click on link, or right click and open in new window]

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Let me be clear, when I referred to the public health insurance option, I was talking about a strong public option.

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And now people, ... since yesterday, this blog [and email] has been targeted.

I really don't care. I'm pressing on.

Furthermore, I really want to know if we can call em like we see em, or maybe I'm wrong, maybe the people you are going to hear about are not who I think they are.

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You decide.
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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

CORPORATE CARTELS, HIGH PAID MADAMS/PIMPS AND POLITICAL PROSTITUTES

I'm telling you, when I heard that VARIOUS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS were going to vote against a public health insurance option, I got mad as hell.

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And I'm not just talking about a few Democrats; I'm also talking about Republicans and one Independent.

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Now, Congressman Alan Grayson has inspired me to call em like I see em; and I'm gonna let her rip.

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Promise me you'll stay with me to the end of this piece.
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The way I see it is, we have a CORPORATE CARTEL (HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES) paying LOBBYISTS (HIGH PAID MADAMS/PIMPS) to manage/ reign in/ manipulate various POLITICIANS to do their bidding.

Did I get that right people? Let’s break down the organizational structure.

First, what is a CARTEL and does the HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY [made up of health insurance companies], fit the description?

There are two definitions [from source]; however, I like the one that describes a CARTEL as an association of independent businesses organized to control prices and production, eliminate competition (by being a monopoly), and reduce the cost of doing business (denying treatment/refusing to pay claims, and refusing enrollment to those with a pre-existing condition).

I ask you, does that description bring it home for you?

Does for me.

Now, on to the HIGH PAID MADAMS/ [OR PIMPS].

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See, Grayson was close, but I beg to differ …
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Grayson called an ex-Enron lobbyist a whore. She deserved it.

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"Enron was the world’s largest energy-trading company, with a market value of as much as $68 billion, before it imploded amid allegations of accounting fraud. The bankruptcy wiped out more than 5,000 jobs and at least $1 billion in retirement funds.

A Houston jury found former Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling and former Chairman Kenneth Lay guilty in 2006 of deceiving investors, analysts and employees about the company’s deteriorating financial condition. Skilling is serving a 24-year prison term. Lay died before sentencing."

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Ok, Grayson calls em whores. I see lobbyists as MADAMS/PIMPS, looking to manage PROSTITUTES.

The MADAM disperses the money to the prostitute when the prostitute brings home the bacon.

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Now the MADAM/PIMP may give out a few favors to hook the politician, but that MADAM won't do that forever unless he/she receives some return on investment. The politician becomes a prostitute when he/she delivers the return on the investment.

Am I close people? Are you feeling me?

What is at stake here?

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If you answered … the health of the "John" [who are the CARTEL'S policyholders/consumers and the prostitute’s constituents], I'll give you a gold star.

The "John" comes to the prostitute asking to be treated right, asking for the prostitute to satisfy a need.**

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I hate to insult anyone, but people, ... can you really trust a prostitute?

They will always tell you what you want to hear, but it’s mostly fake. Many times you leave feeling somewhat satisfied, but the feeling is brief, and something doesn’t feel right.

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Why? … Because, again … it’s mostly fake (lot of smoke and mirrors) and empty promises. Where is the love? Did he/she really deliver on the promise, and leave you whole, happy and healthy?

And so we enter the brothel, the "Chamber", often begging, pleading, for the prostitute to satisfy this need** you have. Will he/she deliver this time, defying the madam, ... refusing to be paid, ... willing and able to rescue you out of love and devotion and caring?

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Will the prostitute find redemption?

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We’ll see … won’t we?

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**True Healthcare Reform

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Healthcare Reform - PBS
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Sicko

Fight Bad Faith Insurance Companies

HEALTHCARE REFORM AT A CROSSROAD

Without going back and editing my previous post “Capitalism 201 Gone Wild Fosters Inequality”, I’d like to continue to focus on core values of different economic systems, and their role in health care reform.

As I said before, our free enterprise system values money and physical things. I would like to expand that by saying that it values power, money, and the acquisition and pursuit of money; and values physical assets and the acquisition and pursuit of physical assets.

In the second system mentioned in my previous post [let’s call it the Denmarkian system – smile], value is placed on familial and community relationships, human rights, human dignity, mutual cooperation, mutual respect, and creativity.

We, the people, have to decide which fundamentals [for lack of a better word] of the above systems do we want to embrace in health care reform.

In the last post, I stated that our free enterprise system is in opposition to the Denmarkian system. They don’t fit together.

In our present free enterprise [capitalistic] system we see health care as not a human right, but a privilege [some entitlement, with limited access and conditioned on a persons ability to pay] . In the Denmarkian system, health care is a human right [it is universal without conditions].

The progressives in the Democratic Party are more closely ideologically aligned with the Denmarkian system. Conservatives and members of the Republican Party are more closely ideologically aligned with our present free enterprise system, as are some moderate Democrats.

The American people are torn. They were raised in the [United States] Free Enterprise system, but deep down, I believe if they had a choice of core values, and understood the benefits of the Denmarkian system, they would embrace that system; though to what extent I know not.

And so we stand at a crossroad where a majority of representatives [218 in the House, 51 or 60 in the Senate] from 50 states must decide whether health care is a human right or a privilege. The choice they make [I believe] will have moral, ethical, and economic repercussions for years to come.
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-Human Rights

-Denmark

-Socialism

-Free Enterprise

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Healthcare Reform

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Progressivism

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A Story of Dire Consequences

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CAPITALISM 201 GONE WILD FOSTERS INEQUALITY

I was going to expound upon the comments made by “a voice within the financial industry”; but I decided to go with some thoughts about economic systems.

Our Free Enterprise system [Capitalism 201 Gone Wild] fosters inequality because it’s based on a set of flawed values; and hard work has little to do with financial success or happiness. This free enterprise system embraces (for the most part) a flawed concept of social Darwinism which rewards unrestrained competition over human rights.

It also says that those who adapt (Darwinian) and multiply unrestrained (free enterprise) are more valuable and the most financially successful. This system at its core, values power, money and physical assets over relationships and human rights; and it rewards exploitation. This system is most unstable.

In an economic system that values good familial and community relationships, human rights and human dignity over money and things [You can call it whatever you want]; people will agree to share regardless of one’s fitness.

This system takes into account human frailty and weakness; but tries to instill in its people the concepts of human rights, human dignity, mutual respect and cooperation; and appreciation of family and community. Innovation, creativity and true free trade is encouraged.
Trying to combine a system that values acquiring money and things -the free enterprise system we have today, with a system that values relationships and human dignity and human rights will always be inherently a flawed system; and will always be at odds trying to balance the two. They just don’t fit together well.

Denmark seems to largely embrace the second system and its people say they feel fulfilled, feel they are well provided for and feel happy. They also seem to be proud, innovative, creative and enjoy free trade.

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CONTINUED: OCTOBER 26 POST

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Update: November 10, 2010

As the Country Falls Apart, It's Time for Our Revolution | | AlterNet by Ted Rall

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Update November 10, 2010
How the Wealthy Organized to Rip Everyone Else off -- And What You Can Do to Stop It | | AlterNet by Maria Armoudian
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Update: September 10, 2012
Bill Clinton: The Great Deregulator, by Robert Scheer
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Update: March 2010
CHASING MADOFF, BY HARRY MARKOPOLOS

"Michael Moore's Action Plan: 15 Things Every American Can Do Right Now"

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Denmark

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Socialism

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Free Trade

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Individualism

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A Story of Dire Consequences

A VOICE FROM THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY: GO FIND A FREAKING VENTURE CAPITALIST

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A GUY AT WAR WITH HIMSELF [his remarks to a TV host]:

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[To TV host] ... "You keep railing against the government; yet you want the government to loan directly to small business? Get real.

Personally, I'm sick and tired of subsidizing Capitalism.

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Most Americans don't realize it, but ... don't you get it? The government (us) subsidizes capitalism. We've been doing it for years.
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As a friend of mine said, we've got "Capitalism 201 Gone Wild".

Tell me ... what industries aren't being subsidized by our government?

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Know what's even more infuriating? ... come on ... it's the inequality in the system. Some industries and businesses are subsidized while others are not. Who makes these freaking decisions regarding who is worthy and who is not?
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Unfortunately, if the taxpayer refused to subsidize everyone starting today, this whole so-called "capitalistic" system would fail and anyone on the sidelines would get sucked in.

This is what gets me ... people decry socialism, but socialism has enabled everyone, including our freaking free enterprise system.

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Next time you want to start a business, market or invent something; go find a freaking venture capitalist or get a commercial loan. Don’t ask (us) the government to subsidize you or give you a loan.

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Better still, ... save enough money so you don't need a loan.

[To TV host], Look ... this system is now so complex and intertwined; and globally intertwined, we are teetering too close to the edge, for my comfort.

Pretty soon, the government (us) won't be able to prop up anyone.

Leave it to Republicans, and we'd be at war with North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, then they'd find some reason to occupy Pakistan.

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There would be no more United States of America. We'd be destroyed financially and every which way. World War III we do not need. "
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"But let's get back to the banks. Every sane one of us who works in the financial industry knows that banks are just middle men. They [retail banks] are great for checking accounts, small savings accounts, certificates of deposit and small collateralized loans [commercial banks - larger collateralized loans]; but getting banks involved in insurance products and highly speculative financial products is crazy.

Most of us knew that if we kept mixing our banking arm with our insurance and trading arms, we couldn't afford to sneeze; but there was no one in authority that wanted to step up to the plate and stop a money making runaway train.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley let us get as big as we wanted, allowed us to create all kinds of financial instruments; and allowed us to mix and match every freaking thing we could get our hands on; and we made a boat load of money."
--

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CONTINUED:

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"Insurance is the backbone of the financial industry. I find it interesting that no one links health insurance with financial services. Maybe they just don't talk about it.

Several weeks ago, I stated that the financial industry always keeps its base and returns to its base in times of trouble.

Health insurance profits, life insurance profits and other financial instruments and financial products (profits) have been keeping the financial industry alive and well for years. On the consumer side, annuities will probably be our biggest retail financial product going forward.

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Heads will roll if Congress gets that public health insurance option into the legislation. Know what I mean? (laugh) Got to keep those "w" in Congress kissing a'...

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... What about Lieberman? (laugh) ... come on ... can he bend over and touch his toes? (laughing hysterically)

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My industry will always make money because it will always have its base (insurance). The wonderful thing about insurance, ... you can put insurance on anyone or anything, as long as there is insurable interest. The insurer is betting that he will never have to pay out or rarely pay out; but he's always got to stay ahead of the game and keep that money flowing in.

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Do we ever worry that we won't have enough reserves? Heck no ... as long as we've got friends in high places ... (laugh).

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Remember, all insurance is ... is spreading risk around. Right now, that risk is in the hands of the taxpayer.
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I hope someone knows how to control the risk, cause believe me, the government needs to stop propping up all these industries/businesses.

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With rare exception, ... sink or swim on your own dime. Where you get your money is your business, as long as it's not from the taxpayer.

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This is one area where Republicans and I are in accord; except those freaking idiots didn't follow their own ideology. They've been just as guilty as Democrats with their industry and business subsidies [corporate welfare].

Republicans and I differ in that I would have never allowed health insurance companies to go public. I would have made sure health insurance companies, that were mutual companies, remained mutual companies; where the policyholders had ownership rights, and with those rights, helped control the risk.

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As a public company, while its ability to raise capital increases, the risk of loss of capital also increases; plus the control of costs remains not with the policyholders (by their choice of management); but instead lies with a corporate board whose interests may not be in the best interest of the company or the policyholder.

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Hey, I'm not a completely "heartless" bastard.

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You, [TV host], want to keep what many health insurance companies currently are ... "for profit".

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Are you insane? That's one place that needs to be all non-profit or government run or government run combined with non-profit.

I will always differ with you on your competition/choice argument as long as you keep the health insurance companies "for profit".

... Ok, I guess I've veered off into a host of areas. Sorry ..

I'm Lawrence O'Donnell today." [No disrespect intended.]

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CONTINUED:

"That ridiculous Credit Card Act of 2009? … We [the financial services industry] didn't lose a damn thing; we quickly raised finance charges and added more bank fees. We’ve found lots of loopholes to get around those rules and regulations put in place. *

You've got to give us credit, we've been very successful making prostitutes of many members of Congress. Don't tell anyone, but we often snicker behind exclusive country club doors, while we're sipping "Hennessy cognac".

Look [TV host], the taxpayer bailed us out; and now we're laughing all the way to our bank. Couldn't get any sweeter. 

Oh, … and you know what's even funnier? All that lawsuit money that we paid out to Enron employees and pensioners in previous years? ... We've recouped most of that with the bailout.

I hate to say it [well not really], but you have to love the irony. We screwed the economy, millions lost their jobs, and now the losers have to come to us to borrow money. Ha!

The taxpayer has to borrow his own money to pay the bills. This is vintage Capitalism.

We’re raking in the money from finance charges and bank fees … cause, ... I’ll say it again … you’ve got no money; and you have to borrow money [from us] just to make ends meet. Boy do we have you by the balls.
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Heck, most Americans can’t even get through the week; some can’t get through the day, without credit cards. The 1% of the population, who control 90% to 95% of the wealth in this country, made sure of that.

We’ve even got small business hooked. Hell, we’ve got everyone hooked.

1 out of 6 Americans live in poverty. We’ll just continue to drain you dry, and continue outsourcing to other countries where we can exploit their labor and steal their resources, eventually draining them dry; and then we'll move on.

You can never trust us, or outsmart us."

Signed "Anonymous"

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FRONTLINE: meltdown - financial crisis timeline | PBS

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Update: September 10, 2012
Bill Clinton: The Great Deregulator, by Robert Scheer

Update: November 10, 2010As the Country Falls Apart, It's Time for Our Revolution | | AlterNet by Ted Rall

How the Wealthy Organized to Rip Everyone Else off -- And What You Can Do to Stop It | | AlterNet by

Update: October 5, 2010

The United States is its Own Worst Enemy!

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Update: March 2010
CHASING MADOFF, BY HARRY MARKOPOLOS

 

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HEALTH CARE REFORM - CAN YOU TRUST THE PLAYERS?

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Report: 1 in 6 Americans Live in Poverty

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*4 Loopholes in the New Credit Card Laws

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Outsourcing's long-term effects on U.S. jobs at issue

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*10 Ways Credit Card Companies Are Still Screwing You

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Wall Street Banks Tricking Little Guys Into Lobbying for Them

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Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein: Our Employees Are Among The Most Productive In The World

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MICHAEL MOORE UNVEILS TRUE EVIL. AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT, GO WATCH THE MOVIE

It doesn't surprise me that I'm not hearing a lot more from mainstream media about Michael Moore's movie "Capitalism: A Love Story". [Trailer]

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Have they been muzzled by corporate?

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Even though we're hemorrhaging [jobs and money], the leaders and the wealthy 1% [who control about 85% to 95% of the wealth] of this country want you to think everything is really "not so bad".

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The capitalism we used to love and cherish is dead and if we don't embrace Noam Chomsky's better society and discard the disgraceful "Capitalism 201 Gone Wild", we are in deep, deep, shit.

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But everybody knows this ... right?

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Maybe not, ... maybe we're still in shock or mourning. Remember Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine"?

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Oh, ... people, ... people, ... people ... have we learned nothing? The rich and powerful are masters in pulling the wool over our eyes. [see Oct. 9th, Bill Moyers Journal, Wall Street vs Reform (Video)]

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I learned a whole lot of really repugnant things watching Michael's movie. 1. I had no idea that corporations had life insurance policies on average ordinary workers. I can understand "key man" life insurance policies ... but life insurance on average workers?

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Can you see where this whole health insurance reform is heading? Probably nowhere. Even if we get some legislation, will it be real change? I don't think so.

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You ask ... why not? ...

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Well ... Who wants healthy workers when you can make money on dead ones; and the health insurance company and life insurance company can also make a healthy profit collecting premiums. A win/win for everyone ... right? Everyone accept the deceased's family.

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2. Michael wrote a piece called "Goodbye GM". It was a great piece ... and I loved his vision for a new kind of GM. Well, I'm sad to say that no one really talked about Michael's ideas. Just status quo, steady as she fails.

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There were a few glimmers of hope in the movie ... Michael showed a company where the workers owned the company; and he also showed workers that fought back and brought a company back to life, along with their jobs.

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Michael showed us it is possible to take this nation back from the greedy and corrupt capitalists.

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Barack Obama was our chance to clean house. Well, it didn't happen ... so it's up to us to change things. Bottom up ... flip the switch. Non-violent revolution.

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The tax-payers own a lot of capital in the companies who generate their own wealth, and who use their influence and power to suck the life out of the very people who now own them.

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Are we going let these snakes, hooligans and thugs outwit us? Why not challenge them in the courts, as well as doing a nationwide sit-in (in those companies corridors and offices). That will unhinge the doors to greed and wealth. Don't you think?

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To be continued ...

Update, November 26, 2010

"Right-Wing Think Tank Praised Ireland's 'Economic Freedom' ... and Then Its Economy Crashed" | | AlterNet by Terrance Heath, November 26, 2010

November 16, 2010, Democracy Now, "Push Michael More Off a Cliff:" Health Insurance Whistleblower Wendell Potter Details How the Industry Attacked Michael Moore's Film "Sicko"

Watch:




Starving the Beast: Ten Things You Can Do To Take America Back | OurFuture.org by Sara Robinson, November 11, 2010
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Update: November 10, 2010As the Country Falls Apart, It's Time for Our Revolution | | AlterNet by Ted Rall

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CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY - MOVIE TRAILER

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THIS IS A MUST WATCH -October 9, 2009 BILL MOYER'S JOURNAL - WALL STREET VS REFORM (video); Summary -; GUESTS: OUR CONGRESSWOMAN FROM TOLEDO (MARCY KAPTUR), AND SIMON JOHNSON (BASELINE SCENARIO)

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NOAM CHOMSKY

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GOODBYE GM

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THE SHOCK DOCTRINE: THE RISE OF DISASTER CAPITALISM