"It's the economy, stupid!"
Carville's quote takes on a new meaning
President Zelenski and the Ukrainians could teach us about more than being tough and smart in battle. Read Thom Hartmann’s piece and weep at what we have allowed our nation to become. But also consider the possibilities of reclaiming democracy and a level playing field in politics and life itself.
In America, Oligarchs rule. In Ukraine, they run to hide in Russia.
Excerpts from Thom’s letter today:
”Then came Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who successfully campaigned for president on a Teddy Roosevelt-like anti-corruption platform and, like both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, declared outright war on politically active oligarchs.”
“In 2021… Zelenskyy declared a campaign to “de-oligarchize” his nation, having diagnosed Ukraine's political & economic crises as tracing back to the corruption by the morbidly rich.”
”An oligarch, by the Ukrainian definition, is somebody who:
— Has “significant” influence over mass media,
— Controls a business that exercises monopoly influence over a part of the economy,
— Involves themselves in politics through funding politicians, political parties, political campaigns, or think tanks, etc. (the phrase used is “takes part in political life”), or,
— Has a net worth of greater than $89 million.
Ukrainian oligarchs, under the new law:
— Are included on an official register published by the government,
— May not hold political office, may not fund political parties, or have influence over any meaningful part of “political life,”
— May not purchase state assets that are privatized, and
— Must disclose their assets in what the Financial Times calls “exhaustive declarations.”
— Government officials are also required to report any meeting with an oligarch on the government’s list.
America once had a similar tradition and Americans want it back. So much so that they bought hook, line, and sinker the sales pitch from a professional con man who knew how frustrated working people are by our American oligarchs and their seizure of the GOP.”
Please read the whole piece by Thom Hartmann. It’s humbling and yet, inspiring.
Zelensky played a fictional president and parlayed that role into being a fantastic war-time president. I've give both of my legs and one arm to see Ukraine defeat Russia. This is how underdogs should be led. With honesty and competence.
Thanks for reposting the Hartmann report. Reading HCR's post of the Fascism booklet for the Army during WWII, I was struck by the parallel with the way US billionaires (we don't call them oligarchs but they are) and their influence follow the fascist pattern in terms of economics and politics. (Facile comparison, I know; but to me it fits.) Now, Hartmann puts another analysis on paper. On target. (This is off the top of my head after dealing with a 2 hr zoom meeting....)