THE CHECKS AND BALANCES INHERENT IN FREE SPEECH, AND THE RIGHT OF ASSEMBLY
In the same way the press seems to have abandoned its check on government through a free and vox populi oriented press, so too have far too many Americans through their refusal to stand up and say - enough is enough.
Former Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower foresaw the dangers of corporatism in our democracy. He specifically spoke to the issue of the military industrial complex.
Here's an excerpt:
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist."
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/17/132942244/ikes-warning-of-military-expansion-50-years-later
You can also watch him speak on the issue in his farewell address.
In the 60's students and young adults raised up and spoke their minds on all sorts of issues from civil rights, to war, to drugs, to poverty. The students took control of the universities and created student unions. One area on campuses where students succeed was taking control of the bookstores and keeping prices down. In time the student leaders voluntarily gave up that control to corporate interests who then paid a fee to the university for the privilege of bilking the students.
The 60's proved that if the people exercise their check on government and the courts they can effectuate policy changes.
It is true the people are making progress in small ways. But the reality is, in terms of the corporate take over of our government, as warned by President Eisenhower, it is nearly complete. One reason the corporatist have succeed is the radical right. President Reagan promised them he would oppose all individual freedom for anyone they deem immoral in exchange for their vote. This was the final major putsch in the corporate take over of our government. It was also the first major modern step to the rise of anti-liberty voices in the name of God.
Occupy Wall Street is a voice against corporatism. Unfortunately, as the key leaders sought comfort in the warmth of their homes, the more radical near anarchists elements have begun to turn the movement into a movement of destruction. Unless the original leaders of Occupy Wall Street seize control soon, the movement could be lost.
The radical right seems to understand the function of the people as a check on government and courts. While I am not happy with what they are doing in the following example, the example is clear evidence of how the people can still check the actions of the government.
The legalization of gay marriage in Washington is now a formality. But because the radical right is unhappy with this result they intend to exercise their right of free speech and assembly to overturn the Washington legislature through a possible public ballot initiative.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-gay-marriage-washington-idUSTRE81204O20120203
While I may not like how they intend to use the ballot initiative, it is nonetheless a good thing that as a group they seek to exercise their right of checks and balances as against the legislature.
Until the American people understand that the concept of checks and balances goes well beyond the three branches of government, corporatists will continue to take control of our government. The people need to know through ballot initiatives and the ballot box they are the ultimate check on the courts and legislatures.
The funny thing about the radical religious right and their alignment with the corporatists is, it was the corporatists who changed the blue laws which had stores closed on Sunday. But then I guess when you generally seek to do the work of injustice, you get in bed with the devil himself.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1164.html
Meaningful change will not come to our government until the people reassert their power of Checks and Balances on the government and the courts.
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