Return of the Robber Barons

At the beginning of the 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt crushed the Robber Barons through use of what he called “The Bully Pulpit,” by which he meant the power of the presidency to control the national dialogue. (Are you listening, President Obama?)

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, FDR once again crushed the Robber Barons. They called him “A traitor to his class.” And he responded by saying publicly, “They hate me. And I welcome their hatred.” (Are you listening, President Obama?)

Well, those battles were won, but the war continues. The Robber Barons, (today it’s the Koch brothers, and others of their ilk), never went away. They are attacking us with a vengeance and they’re using their stolen billions to crush us all. (Are you listening, President Obama?)

What’s happening in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and many other states, is the latest battle in a never-ending war waged by the Robber Barons to subjugate the peasants (us).

If these would-be oppressors win this battle, American democracy as we’ve known it will cease to exist for the foreseeable future. This is a battle in which the unions are on the front lines and they need all the help and support they can get.

Are you listening President Obama? Are you listening elected Democrats? Those who still believe in democracy are in dire need of your help. Elected Democratic legislators have fled the states under attack in order to prevent quorums from being formed and to put a halt to the destruction of unions. Where the hell is the national Democratic Party? Where the hell are you, Mr. President?