The Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service is currently deliberating on offshore drilling permissions for the years 2010-2015. If an area is not approved now, drilling for domestic oil will be off-limits there until at least 2015.
The Minerals Management Service says it will ultimately decide the fate of 31 proposed lease sales to drill in the outer continental shelf based on public input through the process of “notice and comment.â€
The notice and comment deadline for the current six-year approval cycle is September 21st, 2009.
We all remember $4 gas last summer, and higher energy costs are in our very near future. If we don’t produce more American energy now, higher prices will certainly be exacerbated.
Take Action: Weigh in on proposed drilling on the OCS at American Solutions.
Corporatism vs. Capitalism
The number one component of corporatism is the exact same as the number one component of fascism, because corporatism is one type of fascism: elitism, the idolatry of imagined success and the self-designated successful, replete with such sickening delusional labels as the “best and the brightest†and hegemon (ubermensche or superman). Hence, fascists worship the rich, and hate the poor. Naturally, many of the rich like to think that they are supermen deserving of their superior stations in life, and wingnuts tell them what they want to hear and are aptly rewarded for it. Ultimately, of course, this leads to racism, bigotry, and the hatred of democracy, for how can the views and votes of people making less than 50K matter as much as the mighty hegemons of finance and industry? How can the votes and voices of the poor possibly count as much as those of the corporate Master Race? Right wingers hate Jefferson and his “all men are created equal” politics of democracy, even the tiny minority who actually understand his reasoning that distinguishes overall personal quality from narrow and specific talent and ability and the artificial parameters determinative of “successâ€.
Corporatism is one branch, the modern branch, of fascism. Slavery has also correctly been labeled as fascism, as have the imperial forms of feudalism. All modern-day fascist states have consisted of a melding between corrupt business entities and persons (often, but not always, corporations) and corrupt politicians, i.e., control of the state by a powerful coalition between the state and private sector. This was just as true in fascist Spain, Italy, and Germany, where the names of the various corrupting business cronies have been well-documented, as it is for today’s corporatists.
Corporatists seek to replace democracy with rule by corporate fiat. Just as CEOs make their authoritarian policies without any other consideration except for what the share-holders want, so too do the corporatists seek to extend the same type of governance by authoritarian corporate policy over the rest of us. There is no legislature, no president, no judiciary, except as needed to enforce corporate policies that are “rolled out†(exact corporate terminology) whenever corporate upper management sees fit. This is the way many workers currently toil and suffer eight hours (plus) six to seven days a week, so the Reich Executives collectively flying around in the skies above too afraid of those they exploit to land, has decided that it should be extended to 24/7 for everyone. So, all corporate fascists are anti-democracy and therefore traitors and fierce enemies of our constitutional republic. They are our enemies and the enemies of all humanity.
You apparently will never understand. I feel sorry for you. I would suggest that you look in the mirror. We are a Republic, ever take civics? No comments to your constant hate.
And you don’t hate (or significantly dislike then) the Greenies, Liberals, and various Democrats? C’mon, man, don’t be a hypocrite. So you don’t believe there’s a difference between corporatism and capitalism? Then say that, or not. You really think there is no difference? C’mon, how about a “real” response for once and not some dismissive arrogance. That would be refreshing from you, oh wise sage.
“Suffer” for eight hours of work? Eight hours is nothing to an owner of a business. Take that times TWO, which by the way equals 16 daily, Robbiie Boy! Just re-enforces why people don’t take you serious. I sense you do not work and have never had a real job! Enough said regarding your dribbling rants.
It is you who hates. I criticize and see things in ways other than black or white. So you own a business and then want people to feel sorry for you? Boo hoo. That is so lame. If you cared to notice anything beyond your biases and prejudices you would see that I support people like you, I am all for small business owners. I agree that you are the back bone of this country. But you are so brainwashed that you vote against your best interests and that simply blows my feeble little mind. It is you that will never change apparently.
It is you who hates. I criticize and see things in ways other than black or white. So you own a business and then want people to feel sorry for you? Boo hoo. That is so lame. If you cared to notice anything beyond your biases and prejudices you would see that I support people like you, I am all for small business owners. I agree that you are the back bone of this country. But you are so brainwashed that you vote against your best interests and that simply blows my feeble little mind. It is you that will never change apparently. As I’ve said I have a Master’s degree and still have to work two jobs to get by. There’s something wring with this country Paul, and it ain’t you and me. You blame Liberals, I blame the big guys the corporations with the money and the power who make the rules that you and I have to live by whether we like it or not. You are a fool to think otherwise.
Don’t feel sorry for a person that works for a living. That is a natural thing that people do. Be it 8-16 hours or two jobs. That’s life. Work is good!
The problem with our country is the younger generation that know more about reality tv, movie stars than they do about our elected officials. They don’t even know what they stand for when they vote! Trust me, I have had numerous conversations with MBA’s, in their late twenties that don’t read a paper, never heard of cap & trade, don’t know the VP’s name or the Governers name, or the senator THEY voted for! They don’t even read the news on the net. Now that is scary. It is black and white. The only gray matter is in the ignorance in our minds.
That is true enough, but it is the “system” that is keeping them ignorant. The system is corrupt and it needs changing. That can seem scary at first but the alternaive in my opinion is even scarier. You really think there is a good news station or program? Not anymore. Newspapers aren’t any better, the’re all owned by the elite money class. It’s mostly propaganda and/or the same BS to keep us the working class in our place and fighting each other and not them. We won’t learn, most people don’t until it’s too late. Is it too late already? Sometimes I think so. We’ve all been brainwashed, it’s not just the 20 somethings.
Rob, I’m not Pavlov’s dog, nor are you. The “system” is you and I! It must be people like us that change it. Very simple but hard to do. It takes dedication, that most people unfortunately do not have. They are too locked into letting someone else do their calling. As said before, ignorance is not knowing, stupidity is no matter what your learn/taught/experience, you will never understand. You are never put “in your place.” Only you put yourself there, as well as the enablers. It is all of us. We are all guilty by letting ourself’s be complacent , myself included. Get involved, don’t sit on a computer and cry the blues. Back/support people that you truly believe will cause REAL change, not based upon a sound bite. REAL discourse is good!!!! Remember, I’m a Scot!! And proud of it. Get out of you cubie and fight for what you believe in, Even though I may not agee. That is the American way.
I dont’ disagree, but what you don’t understand is I’ve done all that, as have many people like me and it’s gotten us no where, literally. That is why people like me are so frsutrated. I am not some young person fresh out of college- I’ve been around and now know what we’re really up against. I don’t care of you are as old or older than me you are naive if you think we the people can change things. We cannot, not what we’re up against and not by normal average means, such as voting. That is laughable, really! What we have to do I am more and more convinced, other than violent uprising which I am loathe to contemplate- is to STOP voting AND STOP paying taxes. One is much easier than the other, but I think we all need to do BOTH. If you open your mind long enough you will reach the same conclusion. I have yet to hear a better idea from anyone at this point- and I’m not saying this is my unique idea, but I saly believe there is no better current alternataive. You talk about “real” discourse etc. That’s what I’ve been trying to do and you have 9 out of 10 times declined to participate. Maybe you should take some time and think about it all and pay more attention to what is really going on (stop reading and listening to your normal news outlets and expand your mind). Stop relying upon your innate beliefs seeing problems and solutions based more than less on your own biases and current values. It’s time to start looking beyond that- I’m doing that and so should everyone who thinks they really care about democracy in America. Because don’t kid yourself it is either dead or dying fast- there’s no time to screw around with nice mainstream ideas anymore.
I hate to say it but my involvement on this corporate astro-turffed site was an experiement of sorts- to see if average close-minded people can change their minds even slightly. I don’t think I have to tell you what I have apparently discovered. “America” may already be doomed to corporate fascism (that is an oxymoron- by definition fascism is always corporate) for a very long time to come. Is there any sadder thing than the death of real democracy? I don’t think so.
“Corporate astroturfed site?” What corporation(s) do you think are funding us (would that it were – some nice fat corporate checks would save us some fundraising efforts)?
Is it so hard for you to believe that ordinary citizens might take an interest in their futures and start working together against a runaway government? That’s what we’re doing.
This last post by Rob scares me. Is that what America has come to? What is going on? You work hard and make a dollar you are chastised. If you don’t work you are congratulated and rewarded? Is there a problem here?? Do people ever read any longer or do they watch TV or listen to the Radio that tells them they are entitled? Oh, by the way blame Bush one and two??? I suppose Oprah is next?? No wonder people are scared. Pavlov’s dog has left the barn with farm hands behind him!!! God be with us!
What drama, Paul. Holy cow guy. Settle down chicken little. I’ve agreed wtih you on some things and even told you seriously that you as ahard working small business person are the back bone of this country. And I scare you? Wow, dude, get a grip.
And Dan if you aren’t getting paid for this than you are not as smart as you think you are.
It is the end of Democracy in America that should be scaring you but conservatives only seem capable of being afraid of Liberals. If it wasn’t so sad it would be funny.
Oh. I’m paid. I work full time for Minnesota Majority. Our funding comes from individual member contributions, though. Not Exxon-Mobil or wherever you imagine our megabucks are coming from.
I hope you guys are as worried about campaign finance reform and the death and dying of American democracy as you are about climate conspriacy. I find it so odd that humans from the same general area can disagree so oppositely about “reality.” I guess that is why there are so many civil wars and things like that around the world. The thing about Liberals that I am particularly proud of is that we are generally anti-war and anti-violence no matter what. What amazes me are the so-called religious/conservative people that don’t seem to mind war and/or violence and in many instances advocate for it. But I’m sure you will turn a blind eye to reality and say that isn’t so. It’s just something that I always found as very odd, and difficult to understand.
Oh and I suppose not getting paid for managing this site is something to be proud of, I guess. I don’t know why you should’t get a paid a little something for it somehow, although I never said anything about mega-bucks. See, I’m not anti-money/etc.! Funny- you are the profit lovers and I’m advocating that you should get paid for something. Ironic and/or absurd, but such is life so much of the time.
Well, I do see the absurdity of a lot of things that’s for sure. Sometimes I do wish I could just be simple… it would make things… well, more… simple!
Don’t you think Dan should be getting paid to do this? Isn’t that what you like to talk about ALL the time? I’m agreeing with you here, and all you can do is spew an insult. Real christian of you Saint Paul.
Robbie Boy,
You fail to understand that there are people in the world that do something with their beliefs and then there are people that sit by the wayside and criticize not lifting a finger such as you. You can chastise Dan but you will not take time out of your life to fight for your beliefs other than use your finger to demonize what Dan and HIS STAFF ARE DOING. Grow up Boy, or do something. Dan I will send my contribution. This post really made me angry and being a Scot, we have a high tolerance. Not any longer!!!!
Just another Heartbeat of America scam. Don’t waste your time on this non sense
Jake. I agree.
Rob, A saint I ain’t, nor are you.