Saturday, November 21, 2009

Johann Hari: The real reason Obama is not making much progress

(contributed by Maracatu)

A group of Democratic senators have tried to amend the latest customs bill to ensure that nothing produced by slaves should be sold in the United States. It sounds uncontroversial – as uncontroversial as punishing rapists, in fact. Yet corporate lobbyists are militating behind the scenes to oppose it. As the private subscription-only newsletter "Inside US Trade" reported: "Business groups are worried by the potential effects", and a source tells them there will be, "a push from lobbyists closer to the Finance Committee mark-up of the bill... US industry groups and foreign governments [ie those that use slave labour] could form ad hoc coalitions to help send a united message." They will fight for their right to use slave labour.
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12 comments:

  1. Jemmy HopeNovember 21, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    I wonder if a ban on the products of slave labour would include the products of prison labour.

    <span>

    "Capitalism regulates what should be left unregulated and leaves unregulated what should be regulated." (Larry Gambone)

    "To find the source of a problem, ignore the excuses and follow the buck." (Ibid.)
    </span>

    http://porkupineblog.blogspot.com/

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  2. vzaNovember 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM

    The Franken's amendment did pass despite the neandrathals voting against it.

    http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00308

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  3. vzaNovember 21, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    <span><span>The Franken amendment did pass despite the neandrathals voting against it.</span></span>

    Franken Wins Bipartisan Support For Legislation Reining In KBR’s Treatment Of Rape

    http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/07/kbr-rape-franken-amendment/
    <span><span>
      
    http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00308</span></span>

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  4. vzaNovember 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM

    <span><span>Obama's campaign was NOT, as the myth implies, funded primarily by small donations from the little guy. It turns out he would have made any Republican proud with his list of BIG Money donors.  Obama is a product of Chicago politics which is anything BUT high minded, transparent democacy in action.  
    I like Obama, but Hari seems to be a bit naive about him....as though he is a little David fighting against the Goliaths of interest groups. Sorry, he is a willing player in the game.</span></span>

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  5. MollyNovember 21, 2009 at 1:42 PM

    Thanks for the update, VZA, good to know.  

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  6. thankgodimatheistNovember 21, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    Mara
    You can come back now..The vicious cerberus  has been locked in ( or out!)...FOREVER!
    Thanks for this contribution. Sending more stuff this is helps.

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  7. MaracatuNovember 21, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    TGIA,
    Then I might consider it.

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  8. thankgodimatheistNovember 21, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    I really wish you do, Mara..There's no way on earth that the epileptic maniac will be let in EVER again..

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  9. MaracatuNovember 21, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Whatever you do, I wouldn't (if I were you) base my decision to ban or not to ban the individual solely on me.   In my opinion, which you may or may not share, said individual has not been doing justice to the opposition point of view; at least not lately.

    Another consideration of mine was that I just don't have the time to engage in discussion anymore (which is why I often restricted myself to posting news items - that I understand can be very impersonal and not contribute to the typical interchange you would expect in a comments thread).

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  10. thankgodimatheistNovember 21, 2009 at 5:37 PM

    <span>Mara 
    Fleming was banned for the "ensemle" of his "oeuvres" including the callous and cowardly  way he engaged with you...I've been having enough of this barking canine for quite some time now.
    </span>

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  11. vNovember 21, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    Well than the USA should be quite worried about this,  seeing the use of prison labor for a few pennies,  and its continuing and deepening use of debt peonage with the American worker.

    CORPORATE SLAVERY

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7R4Q-ahxCw

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  12. Jemmy HopeNovember 22, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    "I owe my soul to the company store", (Merle Travis) - still going strong in the land of free.

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