I am astonished by Al Gore's ASSAULT ON REASON--he actually says what most other Democrats don't

He goes after the consolidation of corporate power and how it threatens democracy and even more shocking, he discusses in detail the the statements and plans Bush and Cheney made about controlling Iraq's oil well before 9/11 and before they were even elected, and what they are doing now to give the lion's share of the oil income to oil companies.

While the information wasn't news to me, he is easily the most prominent Democrat to be honest about this, and if he were in the race, his only competitors on this issue would be Kucinich and Gravel. The others mouth vague platitudes about letting Iraqis control their own oil while avoiding the specific details of evidence over what the threats to that is, and supporting benchmarks that call for the Iraqis to pass a Hydrocarbon Law that surrenders most of their oil income.

I have mixed feelings about Gore running after I read that. I would like a candidate who is that honest in the race as the front runner, but it is hard to imagine the Chamber of Commerce letting him in the White House if he ran the way he talks in the book. If they could not take him out with ridicule or character assassination, they would do it the old fashioned way.

I hope some Democratic strategists are figuring out a way to get a true progressive through that minefield with all their limbs, but I doubt they are.

for either political party.

It's kind of a variation on the offer economic hitmen give third world leaders: "play ball and you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams. Get in our way, and we will make your life difficult until you are out of office or dead."

"My family got rich by collecting the gold fillings from Holocaust victims. Their descendants want ALL our money. How would you protect us?"

"I own a banana plantation in Central America, my workers are trying to unionize, they countries government won't do anything, and the death squads I've hired aren't getting the job done. Do you think a coup or military intervention would help more, and how much would I have to donate to get one or the other?"

"I want to phase out employer provided health insurance at my company. How do I know you won't use me as an example to show the need for a government run health program and tax me for that expense that I've shaken off?"

and so on.

at their contributor lists.

Excellent tactic..

That pretty much removes him from our political system.

:applause:

I am getting "Assault on Reason" audio version this week.

I am reading "Consumed" by Benjamin Barber.

I listen to Thom Hartmann everyday he's on the radio.

I am coming to this conclusion: 'votes' are becoming increasingly meaningless.

You see, the 'coup' has pretty much been completed -- the United States of America is no longer a 'republic'. This is now a corporate state; we are not 'citizens' anymore, we are 'consumers'.

The 'government' in Washington or in the state capitals is not the relevant power, the boards of directors and CEO are where the important authority now resides.

Consequently, who the President is, or who controls Congress just doesn't mean nearly as much as it did before the 'Reagan Revolution' (when all of this neo-corporatism started).

Perhaps Gore understands this -- perhaps being 'president' of the government is not the place to be if one wishes to affect real change or be a true leader of the people.

It also sadly means that Democrats and Republicans competing for their party's presidential nominations are sort of just playing a game of charades with party activists.

true

The simple truth you describe is the core problem. And partisan blinders ensure it's never corrected.

we are merely raw resources to be gobbled up in the quest for profits, just a consumable commodity to fuel the corporate machine.

Turning blood to gold in Iraq and around the world is the plan of the oligarchy. No worker rights, no human rights. If you can't be useful to them as a conspicuous consumer, they grind you up for what fuel you can supply to the machine.
Global Corporations running things = Global Fascism

so much bile in my gut - the system is broken - and at this point to try to be the president is worthwhile game only if you are willing to be one of them.

The idealistic candidate (like Kucinich and somewhat like Edwards) won't get too far.

for something.

But rich people don't give a fuck what's legal or illegal. They will have their gay lovers and abortions in any case.

They let us get in a lather about that so we don't notice the real screwing we are getting on economic issues.

a red tie.

"hmmm.... San Francisco...better go with gay marriage and medical marijuana. You can say some commie shit too--as long as you never do it."

That would require PROGRESSIVE democratic strategists - which are in damn short supply. There's something about the personality of a professional strategist, I fear, which procludes them being progressive. Perhaps, its because the strategist mindset needs to be rigidly pragmatic. Is that an oxymoron? Not really - the strategist cannot let himself be swayed by any idealism or hopeful forward thinking, the very traits of a progressive. Being pragmatic means shifting with the winds of public sentiment, to garner the most support from the largest numbers at any given time, and rigidly sticking with that strategy - a true progressive holds firm, even rigid principles that will not allow for such shiftiness.

No wonder we, as a party, are confused.

They have every bit as much hostility toward the truth as do the neocon religiously insane fascist repukes.

And their lack of courage to impeach these criminals only clarifies that.

every 4 at the most. some people go home, some new ones arrive. yeah, i know the current crop of clowns mostly kiss ass. even the best of them. but that is what primaries are for.
i see no reason, if al were to run, why he could not take a BUNCH of new congressmen with him. in fact, i don't think he could help it if he tried. i will admit that his late announcement might make that a little harder. but, who knows.

These problems are SYSTEMIC and cannot be solved with just one ballot. That is Mr. Gore's point. And with corporations counting the votes, I don't know about you, but that doesn't exactly fill me up with trust for this system either.

DO NOTHING BUT WHINE!!! yeah, that will work. that is a good idea!!

never mind. i don't need to prove anything to you. but unless this is tipper, i think i will put you on ignore.

such a head of steam that when he does enter in the race he won't need the "ESTABLISHMENT" Democrats to lead his campaign and try to lead him, Gore will lead himself and kick the establishment right in the teeth. He is going to revolutionize our political process.

because, let's face it, if we can get every homer and marge up off the couch, and into the voting booth, they would swamp the whole game. 70 or 80% turnout? we win.
i also know that al knows (because he says so in the book.) that he can raise pretty much what he needs to run, in small(ish) amounts on the internet.
i mean, IF he announces, and puts up the bat, how much will come in the first day alone? i think bare minimum, $10M. and volunteers? how many can you handle, al?
i think he is just clearing the ground. corporate dems- be prepared to sit in the back of the bus.

The conservatives I hang with -- who detest the bush bots and all want to see Ron Paul abolish the Federal Reserve (I wish them luck) -- don't trust Al because he was Clinton's VP and because he's rich. :eyes:

:eyes:

:sarcasm: I'm sick of know nothings and their hatred of intellectual discourse running this country. Can't we kick them off the island, along with their shrill know nothing leaders like Rush and O'Reilly?
I'm buying this book when I get paid later this week. Can't wait to read it!

They want Ron Paul or they'll vote third party. They won't support a Democrat.

Those people will not vote our way regardless of who is running. Do you know any Dems who will abolish the Federal Reserve?

the last episode of the Sopranos.

I agree wholeheartedly with your concerns regarding Mr. Gore talking that truth to power as a candidate being part of that system. He is far removed from it now, and as such can clearly state the truth of what we now face as a people regarding this crisis of Democracy that as he stated affects our ability to deal with the climate crisis effectively. This book in my view is not a campaign book by any stretch but is an indictment not only of our system but of us regarding the complacency we have in allowing this to go on for so long...as we are still doing. I also see it as a way for him to get closure on the past and to move in the direction he now wishes to move, that being a statesman, environmental advocate, and global leader who motivates and mobilizes people to see the truth and to demand change. For me, that is a position that demands great respect and gratitude and will be much more important to our future if successful.

It hasn't worked doing it as business as usual and it is time for a new approach. His way of starting CURRENT Tv and taking on the special interests spreading misinformation about the climate crisis through Live Earth and his organziations that are bi-partisan is a brilliant way to begin this new revolution. I sincerely hope he also understands that while I and others would love nothing more than to see him where he once should have been in a system run by reason and truth, that right now that simply is not possible so doing all we can to make this country whole again from out here to shift political will by a mass movemnent is something that must be done now.

And I do not see the Democratic party leaders as a whole facing what he wrote in his book yet either or really trying to change the way campaigns are done... it is still predicated on $$$$$$$, name recognition, polls, 10 second sound bites, and campaign contributions from benefactors. Until THAT changes and the media is extricated from their butts why should he spin his wheels in a campaign that would only bring him back to what he wrote about, when the one he is running now for this planet is making a difference by telling that truth to power?

I also agree with you regarding his safety. We aren't dealing with amateurs here and I really believe so many still do not understand just what we have allowed to take hold of our government over all of these years that will take more than one election to change... They will do anything to keep the status quo. Recommended.

Indeed. They've already done a lot more than most people, even here at DU, are willing to believe.

And it goes so much deeper than many are willing to admit.

and barked like trained seals for AIPAC about bombing Iran (in spite of Edwards and Obama sounding peace-niky on Iraq), you know things are close to unfixable in the current structure.

there truly is no limit to the depths they'll sink to.

You know, "single-payer" healthcare--like that old and very popular "socialized medicine" program our parents have--Medicare.

Republicans are already incorrectly calling the universal health care plans that Edwards and Obama have released as "socialized medicine." I am waiting for Wolf and his ilk to ask them if these Republicans are ready to take away their mothers' Medicare. This question cried out in the last debate--yet Wolf remained silent.

that we would be doing if we had an actual democracy. he was for that as veep, ya know. he wanted it as an economic development tool- so many entrepreneurs are tied to their 9-5 by insurance. national health care would open the flood gates to new businesses. which, i am sure, he sees a need for more than ever.
it is not discussed deeply, because that is not the kind of thing that the book is about.

And, thanks much for your initial response to my question, mopinko.

i understand the difference, and my impression is that he is well versed in the issue, and ready to take it on and do the right thing. to be honest, i do not know exactly what the right thing is. i got the feeling he is not exactly sure, either. i do know that he will be behind whatever he sees as the smartest way to do it, and smart as he is, i am sure he will do something good.

why isn't it good enough for the rest of us.

I can see one way single payer could be worse: if the GOP successfully underfunds it the way they do education, hobble it so it does a shitty job then say the shitty job is why it deserves to be put to death.

I'll pick it up next time I go to Costco.

my hometown bookstore.

*=the process to gain the consent of the governed is what he is talking about.

Perfectly describes my disgust for America right now and my utter lack of hope for the future of our democracy.

isn't the vice president pretty much powerless? What could he have done?

a Senator, where he was pretty powerful at one time.

At any rate, The Clinton/Gore admin didn't do a whole lot for the American worker, which is one of the big disappointments, but it was a gazillion times better than what we have now, that's for sure.

he definately goes after corporations, however he draws a line and states that it is highly possible to create a sustained economy, and even wealth, in a much more efficient way... through morally acceptable means that are in the best interests of all people, and the planet.

In my opinion it is the true brilliance of his plan. He's not saying corporations are bad, just that they are run unethically, that they are underperforming how they could be if we shifted to a carbon neutral economy.

all the time.

I don't think the Chamber of Commerce would necessarily give a thumbs down on Gore, especially if he inspires people with a vision of what corporations can become where there can be more profit for everyone without destroying the country in the process.

The current corporate model has become so corrupt that even many chamber types are nauseated by the carnage. Many investors are sick of the ripoff of the American public and of themselves with the outrageous salaries of top executives equal to "skimming" or stealing huge sums of money from the investor class. The notion of doing business without ripping off the country and still doing very well is not new, but there has never been anyone who can beat the drum on this. Gore can remind the corporations that current policies are well on their way to creating a corporate wasteland in America. Their golden goose will be dead if it keeps going in that direction.

Gore is a leader of enormous vision. I think he could excite the entire country and lead it into that vision with many conservatives following him.

It's the military industrial complex and the press we have to worry about most.

On the press issue. One thing really freaked my out recently when reading the book lately that said Carl Bernstein had described in "The CIA and the Media," Rolling Stone, October 20, 1977 -- that over 400 journalists at the time had worked or done work for the CIA! Holy crap! When researching this I noticed that other investigators believe that the situation is far worse now than it was then.

With Gore creating alternative ways to distribute the news along with the natural bubbling of this over the internet -- this may be the only way to bypass this corrupted media. TV is still terribly powerful, but I think it can be legitimately painted as corrupted and corporatized to the general public that may finally get it.

Voting machines. Oh shit... I almost forgot.

The only way to bypass that problem is to have such a HUGE outpouring of enthusiasm for Gore that everybody in the country will know who really won. It's hard to steal it all if that's the case. It would be a challenge if the Congress was taken over by Repugs though.

Gore is our only hope at this point.

but that top 1% still owns the media.

who can win and speak this kind of truth. A Gore Presidency will be revolutionary indeed.

I'm in the middle of reading it now, and I really wanted to wait until I was done to post this, but for me, the book may have well have been called "Why I am NOT Running for President". Gore is a smart man, and I think he is well aware of the (legitimate or not) charges of hypocrisy that readers of this book will level against him should he run.

I still believe that he is using the possibility of a run to promote this book and "An Inconvenient Truth", and why not? He has become, without a doubt, one of the most influential former Vice Presidents in American history. Read the book because it's excellent and informative (but a little redundant for DUers), but don't expect a presidential run.