"there is no [free] market. Because five banks control it...they get their money from taxpayers."

[Fire Walk With Me]

Last edited Tue May 21, 2013, 12:45 PM - Edit history (1)

OccupySD ‏@OccupySD

"there is no [free] market. Because five banks control it, and where they get their money is from taxpayers. It’s... http://fb.me/2DiCQDrrz


http://www.thenation.com/blog/174404/week-poverty-fighting-poverty-through-wall-street-accountability

This year, I’ve been focused on how anti-poverty activists can move from a defensive battle defined by trying to save what needs to be saved during these budget debates, to an offensive one, laying out a vision that inspires ongoing, unified action and builds a vibrant movement that connects with people in their communities.

I offered one modest proposal for an “anti-poverty contract”—five issues that impact both low-income and middle class people—around which activists and groups could organize. The Western Center on Law & Poverty and a handful of other national and local groups are trying to build an effort around that idea.

However, when you consider the scale of the problems we face—and what inspires people to take action—clearly much, much more is needed. As I wrote previously, to build a new anti-poverty movement will require the kind of organizing and actions that are as creative, visible and gripping as the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Enter Stephen Lerner.

(More at the link.)

[fasttense]

1. There never was a free market.

All markets are restricted, controlled and manipulated by governments. Even under feudal and slave economic systems, markets are controlled by governments. For some reason, capitalists today want you to think markets shouldn't or aren't controlled by governments. But the truth is markets can't exist without governments taking part in their development and control.

Imagine an open air marketplace with booths and products for sale where people come in and take what they want without any form of payment to the vendors at the market. Now, that is a free market. At a minimum a government provides some sort of protection to ensure that vendors get paid, if nothing else police and security protection is a form of control of the market.

Markets can not exist without governments.

[Demeter]

2. Or, you bring your own enforcers

Might makes Right, and all that.