No, The World Is ROUND, You Idiot

One of my big time pet peeves is how we as a society have completely bought into the idea that ‘Globalization is Inevitable and Good’. You see it everywhere, even on the so-called economic left. Most pundits, economic advisors, and hell even many of our trusted left-leaning fiscal bloggers all treat the issue as an unquestioned net plus for society.

Hogwash.

There are many issues to be fixed in this country. I believe the biggest five are ending the war, restoring our constitutional balance, environmental crisis management, health care reform and economic reform. Of these five, I believe we as left-leaning advocates are furthest behind in developing our economic arguments and policies.

Actually let me start with a caveat. I believe myself to be an economic centrist. Following my tried-and-true approach of letting the facts lead me to my conclusions, I believe we have gone so far off-center in our economic approach we are virtual extremists at this point.

Why do I say ‘off-center’ instead of ‘to the right’? Because beginning at the turn of the 20th century, advocating a liberalized trade policy became a pet issue of liberals, not conservatives. That’s why they called it a liberalized trade policy in the first place. Liberalized ‘free’ trade was seen as an egalitarian dream. Open markets were supposed to work to everyone’s benefit by lowering prices and distributing wealth equitably.

But corporate greed and a willingness to exploit workers and the environment have turned yesterday’s Free Trade ideal into today’s global farce. One need look no further than the situation in Mexico to see the evidence. Factories have opened in small towns to great fanfare, only to see them become deserted environmental wastelands a few years later as corporations move to more fertile, even cheaper fields.

We need to raise public awareness as to the extremist economic policies of our government today. Here are some examples of how I think we should frame the discussion:

Hands-Off Free Trade is a Corporatist agenda. It is neither Liberal nor Conservative. Protecting consumers from poisoned pet food, ensuring our children don’t lick lead paint off their toys, and helping our entrepreneurs avoid unfair trade practices are American ideals. Advocating a common sense approach to this issue is not a communist plot.

Industry Deregulation is a Corporatist agenda. It is neither Liberal nor Conservative. Allowing workers to return home each night if they work in a mine, ensuring hazardous chemicals don’t get into the environment, and providing minimum standards for health and safety are American ideals. Advocating a common sense approach to this issue is not a communist plot.

Massive Industry Consolidation is a Corporatist agenda. It is neither Liberal nor Conservative. Ensuring a competitive playing field for industry and allowing for multiple points of view in our public discourse are American ideals. Advocating a common sense approach to this issue is not a communist plot.

Ignoring Environmental Issues and Worker’s Rights in Trade Deals is a Corporatist agenda. It is neither Liberal nor Conservative. Requiring companies to ensure they don’t destroy the environment in Mexico and stopping them from exploiting workers in other countries are American ideals. Advocating a common sense approach to this issue is not a communist plot.

I think you see what I’m getting at. We need to change public perception on these vital issues away from it all being about Liberalism vs. Conservatism, Communism vs. Capitalism.

This is all about Corporate Extremism vs. the Public Good. Period. End of Story.

Personal Note – I started writing about a lot of this stuff over at the Big Orange. I included beaucoup de facts and figures but I wasn’t getting much traction. In the future, should I continue to write about this stuff here, I’ll dazzle y’all with numbers and fancy links to back up my crazy talk. For now, I just wanted to lay the groundwork. Cheers.