Corruption A Greater Threat Than Terrorism
With every passing day, I’m more disillusioned by governments around the world. Institutions and leaders that claim to be democratic seem to have declared war on the majority of citizens, public budgets and public property.
So-called public servants are ignoring citizens, while catering to the wishes and whims of corporate puppeteers, especially those in banking, defense, agriculture and energy. Several nations around the world are courting fascism, while thumbing their noses at citizens and the overall public interest.
Our forefathers are rolling over in their graves, especially the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice defending their nations and constitutions. Now, the greatest threat to most nations is bankruptcy and the threat is real. The kiss of debt has taken down several nations already. Several more state and national governments are on the chopping block.
It’s been called crisis capitalism. Puppeteers promote debt and dysfunction that threatens the survival of their government.
Then, corporate raiders take the keys to everything of value and write off the debt. These nations must make many other concessions to have their debt forgiven. They must cut all public spending drastically so that all revenues benefit corporations. it’s happening in Greece and Detroit now.Read the Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein for a deeper explanation of this freakish form of capitalism.
Assuming that the world’s democracies still have a prayer of restoring their nations and free-market capitalism, I suggest three remedies:
1. All new spending must pass the litmus test. Define the problem that must be solved and the steps necessary to get there. Random proposals to spend money and channel non-compete contracts to cronies is not leadership.
2. Stop all dark money. Most countries are set up with checks and balances to avoid abuses of power and concentrations of power. Thanks to dark money, terrorist or fascist organizations and even foreign governments can buy access and influence. Average citizens no longer have a voice.
3. Enact the corruption clause. Make all elected and appointed officials swear to uphold the best interests of the state and the citizens. Any willful violation of the public trust will be treated as an act of treason. Failure to report corruption by associates makes parties accessories to treason.
The 2016 election cycle in the United States presents a great opportunity to unveil these recommendations. Let’s put candidates around the world to the test. Let’s defend democracy and free-market capitalism.
