Must read book by RFK Jr. Commercial values overwhelm democratic values

[wiggs]

Good read for environmentalists and those following BA.

Crimes Against Nature describes the horrific environmental record of Mr. B*sh in Texas and during the last 4 years. Lots of names and events.

But also interesting are the descriptions of the tactics used in implementing environmental policy, because they are the same nefarious, immoral, DECEPTIVE TACTICS used in every policy area: corporate favoritism, media control, disinformation, corporate hacks in control of policy, stifling internal differences of opinion, etc.

Regarding media control, just read a passage that is soooo important. Talking about consolidation of media by RW'rs and the Fairness Doctrine that used to provide some semblance of balance in the media:

"According to media commentator Bill Moyers, "The clear intent was to prevent a monopoly of commercial values from overwhelming democratic values -- to assure that the official view of reality -- corporate or government -- was not the only view of reality that reached the people.""

and

"An unregulated part of the commons, TV and radio are today subject to the same dynamic tht is polluting our other public trust assets with behemoths consolidating control of and contaminating the airwaves."

This is where we are in almost every policy area: COMMERCIAL VALUES OVERWHELMING DEMOCRATIC VALUES.

This sounds like a simple, effective campaign slogan to me! Easily understood....everyone can relate...true and demonstrable.

Bush has allowed commericial values to overwhelm democratic values...

Bush has allowed commericial values to overwhelm democratic values...

Bush has allowed commericial values to overwhelm democratic values...

[IrateCitizen]

1. Americans are consumers, not citizens...

It seems that a significant majority could really care less if democracy is being overwhelmed, so long as they retain their "right" to drive their SUV to a mall and purchase whatever consumer goods they desire without a single thought as to what materials were used in its manufacture or whether or not the laborers made a decent wage.

I'd suggest you read the book Silent Theft by David Bollier. It's in a similar vein to what you just described -- a history of the assault on the "commons" that are essential to democracy, and the attendant negative side effects of the commoditization of everything and everyone.

[E_Smith]

2. very true

this book is a must read, or if you want a short version the book came after an article in Rolling Stone:

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1120-01.htm

another word for this problem, and more incendiary, is fascism.

[welshTerrier2]

3. although it's been said many times, many ways ....

aren't those the lyrics to the song ??

capitalism and democracy cannot co-exist ...

think about what drives most mainstream news organizations ... the answer is the profit motive ... while centralized control is a major problem and easily leads to an ideological bias, the quality of news itself is suffering because it cannot be protected from the ravages of capitalism ...

our democracy is being drained of it lifeblood ... without access to quality news and information, we cannot have an educated, informed electorate ... and without that, what's the point of allowing every citizen a vote ... at that point, we're only pretending ...

[wiggs]

4. Scary. And these things don't change overnight. nt

[pstans]

5. I have been looking for this book

I saw Kennedy Jr. on CSPAN's Book TV talking about Bush's environmental (or lack of) this summer. I have been looking for his book ever since. Thanks for posting.