The Body Politic USA

People keep talking about things that are broken.  I’m not talking about a cup or a glass or even Grandma’s antique china.  It usually goes something like…”the_______industry is broken!” or “the _____system is broken!”  or the ______business.  Which begs the question: how can so many industries, businesses, and systems all be broken at the same time?

Personally, I have had two careers and it seems as though academia is broken and the real estate industry is broken beyond repair. My father had cancer and getting him treated because he was in an HMO was a nightmare…so the insurance industry is broken.  The big banks won’t discuss loan modifications with clients - so the banking industry is broken.

When there are this many “broken things”  shattered on the ground at the same time - something is wrong systemically.  It is rooted deep within the our government and the body politic.  This is what happens when a government ceases to be functional.  When the government is broken, it means that those who would exploit and steal, those who would earn their money on the backs of others are in firm control.  In our case, the capitalistic beast has been let loose and its eating its prey.  Unfortunately we are the prey and until the beast is contained - we will continue to look at our institutions and business as so much shattered glass.

The Wall Street protests reveal that the public is now aware of the fact that they are prey.  They see who the enemy is and are finally standing strong.  The response by the police only affirms how badly dysfunctional things are.  They are arresting the protesters while leaving the real criminals free to continue the carnage. Pssst…I have a hint for you men in the white and blue shirts….the REAL criminals have suits and carry briefcases…

© RMGHicks - http://www.therobberbaroneconomy.com

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This year I just wanted to get through the 10th anniversary of 9/11… There was a fatigue in me that I think the entire country is sharing that made me want to turn away and move on.   Days like this are days of reflection.  And given the state of the world our country, the environment and the economy perhaps I thought it was best not to reflect too carefully.  After all, we know what we are going to see and it isn’t pretty.  It is perhaps best that we pass this one by quickly and not stare at the reflection too carefully.

But I was up late last night and happened by a special on CNN with Sanjay Gupta regarding the “dust” of 9/11 and it brought home to roost many things that I find very disturbing about America.

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Lately I’ve been hearing an alarming number of pundits suggest that the reason for wage stagnation is the lack of inflation and the actually presence of deflation in the economy.  Inflation - so the argument goes - would have the laudatory effect of exert pressure on the private sector to raise wages.

Really? Seriously???? What are you smoking?

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Its been a while since I posted - and I’m trying to get back into the swing of things.

Its a scary world when we get some of our best information from the likes of Comedy Central.   But Jon Stewart made me aware of a bizarre amendment to the 911- First Responders Bill.  Of course this twist is so bizarre - perhaps this is the most appropriate place for such a report.  Apparently a late amendment to the bill forces first responders to prove they are not terrorists before receiving benefits.

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