Corporations

It seems like every time there's a Democrat in the White House, the so-called Deficit Hawks come out of hibernation and suddenly start demanding we balance the budget. They did this when Clinton was in office and they're doing it again with Obama.

Have a look at this great account with wonderful analysis of a 'townhall' organized by the billionaire corporate front group, The Peterson Foundation in LA.

Here's an interesting question:

Walmart is trying to bust into the Chicago market with a 2nd store, thus dragging down the wages and working conditions of employees at competitor companies, many of whom are represented by the good people at UFCW.

So, in order for them to grease the way so to speak, this monster corporation has flooded the airwaves with testimonials supposedly from employees of how awesome Walmart as an employer is.

I've heard the same commercial over and over again on the CBS affiliate WBBM the whole week.

It's nice to hear Mayor Daley's concerned about the 'forgotten middle class'.

Maybe the next time WalMart wants to move in, he'll go after them on improving their wages and conditions so they don't have an advantage over established businesses in Chicago that treat their employees better. The 'forgotten middle class' doesn't need a race to the bottom when it comes to bread-and-butter issues.

I understand that the decision to open the corporate financial floodgates for political campaigns is the direct legacy of GOPer appointments to the Court since the days of Ronald Reagan.

The weird thing is, is this the best time -- when the nation is doing a belly flop on the economy and corporations aren't, shall we say, particularly popular -- is this the best time to hand them such a present?

Can you say, backlash?

Just noticed that the scoundrels at Chase are now charging me on an account that I don't use much a $6 monthly "Inactivity Fee".

The worst possible outcome of our current financial mess is to end up with the exact same financial institutions that we started out with.

Obama's response to a question about Glass-Steagall in an interview he gave to the NYT last week didn't make me feel too confident:

It's the hand of the Lord, I tell you!

Fran Spielman (Sun-Times):

Mayor Daley’s $2.5 billion plan to privatize Midway Airport collapsed today for lack of financing, leaving taxpayers with a $126 million down payment, but no apparent way to shore up city pensions and rebuild Chicago’s aging infrastructure.

Times are tough but I don't think it's time to declare victory in the sense of this NY Magazine headline:

As the privileged class loses its privileges, a collective moan rises from the canyons of Wall Street.

Since we're not likely to see Rick Santelli in front of a Wal-Mart's, mad as hell about lousy working conditions there, Wal-Mart Watch has a way for you to show your support for a class of people who apparently aren't on Rick's radar.

You can take a picture of yourself with a sign "I support CHANGE for Wal-Mart Workers", then upload it to their site. More info here...