Why you should care about The Power of Economics and Public Policy

"Atlanta (CNN)-Under increasing pressure from major corporations that do business in Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Monday he will veto a bill that critics say would have curtailed the rights of Georgia's LGBT community.

House Bill 757 would have given faith-based organizations in Georgia the option to deny services and jobs to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Supporters said the measure was meant to protect religious freedom, while opponents have described it as "anti-LGBT" and "appalling.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said the company "can't have a program in Georgia" if the bill were to become law. Disney said it would stop filming in the state, and Unilever said it would "reconsider investment" if the legislation were signed. Coca-Cola spoke out against the bill, as did Home Depot and several other Fortune 500 companies based in Atlanta.

The NFL said the bill could cost Atlanta the opportunity to host the Super Bowl. Time-Warner, the parent company of CNN, also opposed the legislation." 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/28/us/georgia-north-carolina-lgbt-bills/

So what's the big deal? What's key here is that major corporations used the threat of what is paramount to state economic sanctions to affect public policy. While business interests and their paid lobbyists have a long history of controlling public policy, often for just their own special interests, this is one of those moments where such influence was used for a more positive, depending on your politics, purpose. Is this just because that such an action was perhaps the right thing to do? Doubt it. Or, was this done because of the potential consumer backlash if they didn't do it? Something to consider.

Money talks is an old cliche but it is true. Look at the change in copmanies now willing to label, and support the mandatory labeling, of GMO ingredients in foods. How about Campbell's Soup announcement that they were eliminating BPA in their cans and General Mills eliminating artificial ingredients from their cereal products. Is this happening because corporations have suddenly developed a conscious--a sense of social responsibility? No, it's because, you, the consumer, have flexed your spending muscles and demanded change with your purchases.

Important is the fact that people can greatly affect public policy, not just by voting, demonstrating, petitioning, or lobbying, but by how they spend their money. This is, perhaps, the most effective way to make your voice heard.

Is the West Responsible for ISIS?

 

Much blame has been placed on the West, the U.S. in particular, for creating ISIS. The failure to actually accomplish the mission in Iraq, blunders in Afghanistan, leniency toward Assad in Syria, and overall hatred of the U.S. are cited as a rationale for the rise of militants.

Of course, it begs the question: Is the U.S. government or western corporations responsible the problems? Is it the drive for oil and the thirst for profits that engender the hatred? Fast food, fast cars, mass consumption, cheaper clothes, loud music, lack of respect for cultures, religious differences fueled by greed, and a host of other issues that rise from economic colonialism and globalization are, perhaps, the real culprits in the rise militancy.

If we fight for liberty, the right to choose, the right to life, to practice beliefs freely, to live without fear, the rights of all (definitely for women), and rights regardless of religious beliefs, then we can rightly be blamed. If this issue arises because of economics, then we can rightly be blamed. So I guess in a big way, the West is responsible, but this is amended by the fact that there are those who seek power just to have power and who will kill because they can. This is also true of ISIS. 

 

How to Spend (or not spend) Your Holiday Dollars

 
Most of you will be spending extra money on the holidays as spending has trumped the message. Be that as it may, where and on what you spend can be used as a social, environmental, political, and economic statement.

Here's my list on how to spend your hard earned money:

-Don't buy junk. If you know it will hit the landfills in a few short weeks, don't buy it.
-Buy quality and not quantity.
-Buy local. Avoid the chain stores if at all possible. If you must buy from the chains, buy only what you really need and what will last. Avoid trends and what's hot as they will be quickly tossed. Local may well be more expensive for the same item, so search for unique local items of high quality. Who wants to receive what every one else gets.
-Buy green. Yes, it's hard to tell these days what that means. Read labels carefully and pass on those that are a clear environmental threat. Beware of the "all natural" label. Mercury and lead are all natural. There are gifts that can be had from environmental organizations. Buy things of lasting value that won't soon hit the trash bins.

As a consumer, you have the power to determine what products will be offered in the future. Buy crap, and crap is what you'll continue to get. Use your dollars to help protect the environment; to tell businesses that you no longer buy all the hype of useless products; that you'll no longer support products built by child labor or workers subject to intolerable conditions; that quality, durable and useful items will attract your attention, not the junk.

You have the power, use it.

MR. PRESIDENT ... WHY?

Obama's EU Trade Deal Would Include New Political Powers For Corporations » Zach Carter | April 03, 2013 at 07:29 AM WASHINGTON --
The Obama administration is pursuing a free trade agreement with the European Union that would grant corporations new political power to challenge an array of regulations both at home and abroad, according to an administration official involved in the negotiations. While the plan is still in its early stages, the effort alarms consumer and environmental advocates who worry it will lead to a rollback of important rules and put multinational companies on the same political plain as sovereign ...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/eu-trade-deal_n_2994410.html

I'm all into conspiracies, have been for a long time. To me, many of the theories aren't theories at all-they're the truth. In political circles, there has been much talk about the Illuminati and the New World Order. There has been much myth and erroneous information. The focus should instead be on Bilderberg, Skull and Bones, Bohemian Grove and a few others-basically, the elite of Wall Street and powerful politicians.

In the 2012 election there appeared to be a clear choice between the elite and the 'man of the people.' However, actions are louder than words and it appears that the elite won anyway. Having been in politics and government, I know that those with power have never really been those we elect. The power behind the throne has always been the dollar and those who control it. The degree of control has varied to a greater or lesser degree, but it's always there, lurking, ready to seize opportunities. Well, at this point, it looks like we were fooled. No matter where you turn, it seems that President Obama has been swallowed by special interests, becoming a pawn for the wealthy. From oil leases, GMO's and now more power to the multinationals, the rhetoric has fallen into the monied abyss.

It is said, 'better the enemy you know.' Guess, at this point, so far, we've all been duped.

LOSE, LOSE FOR THE EU

Either the European Central Bank will gain financial sovereignty over the 17 nation union, or EU nations will suffer financial chaos. In order to 'win the trust of investors,' nations are being asked, threatened actually, to turn over their budget approvals to a central financial authority that can tel each country what and how they can spend their money. So basically, the banks, Wall Street, investors will dictate public policy for the 17 nations. The claim is that failure to do so will result in financial ruin with 'investors' unwilling to euro-nation bonds.

Can this be any more blatant? From what has been said, EU members will have to slash budgets, meaning loss of public jobs, pensions, heath, education ... in order to appease bankers. Is this the New World Order? The new world oligarchy? Why, any reasoning person should ask, do we continue to allow "INVESTORS" dictate public policy?

What is truly uncertain is whether or not events like the "Occupy" movement will have any impact on such moves by the rich and powerful. Has the growth in Wall Street power, as witnessed by their blatant disregard for anything-people, nation, climate, environment-become so strong that nothing can stand in their way as they seize control of every aspect of life? This are coming to a head in almost every human endeavor. 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting year.