Do you believe that Capitalism is fundamentally flawed?

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

In this worldwind of pointing fingers, twisting stories and placing blame, let’s not forget to hold those who played a major role in creating a “Great Depression II,” accountable. Let’s not forget to let history record the truth and not fabrications. In 2001, the election was stolen in favor of George W. Bush over Al Gore and again in 2004 over John Kerry. It shows to what extent the opposition will go to attain power and maximize its use of it. The Supreme Court can’t go without blame for giving Bush the Presidency unjustly.

President Clinton in 1999 signed into law the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which played a big role in the global financial crisis that has been reverberating around the world. Now of course we have other lawmakers, CEO’s, corporate elites, lobbyists and more who contributed as well but we must not forget that everything starts at the top. And from 2001-2008, we had President Bush, VP Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, and the Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson in leadership roles in our government whom blamed should be placed upon as well. Republicans controlled the presidency for eight years and congress for ten years and the country has been heading downhill ever since.

It is my philosophy that “To Much Is Given, Much Is Required,” and apparently our leaders never heard of this concept or simply could care less about its meaning and how it relates to leadership. President Bush succeeded to power with a cloud of deception hanging over his head in 2001 and then on September 11, 2001 The World Trade Center was destroyed which eventually diverted attention to this matter. And years later, we find ourselves fighting two wars, giving tax cuts to the rich, facing an economic catastrophe, and completely ignoring the future of Americans with jobs, clean energy, healthcare etc. Bush had 8 years to move this country forward and instead he has set this country back 30 years or more with his inept ability to lead and do right by the people.

Now look around and see the damage caused by our so-called elected officials who are suppose to be representing the people but instead their concern was pleasing lobbyists, and corporations. But the people, the working class of this country are the ones who are suffering for their mistakes and greed.
Millions of people lives have been destroyed, years of savings and investing in their 401k gone, millions of foreclosed homes, lost jobs, repossessed cars, destroyed credit ratings, lowered standards of living, increased hunger, and the pain go on. Yet those who contributed to this major destruction of American Society, continues to live unaffected by such travesty because they are disconnected from the pain they have caused. They are surrounded by their constituents who are rich, unaffected and out of touch with the real America.

So during this campaign of both sides trying to throw mud on each other, I would ask you to do the research and find for yourself who contributed to this financial crisis and hold them accountable for their action or inaction. We can’t allow this “Great Depression II,” to go by without assessing blame appropriately and with determination.

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

We have major problems in this country and leaders who seem uninterested in addressing them. Those problems are education, pay equity, jobs, healthcare, clean energy, campaign finance reform, term limits for politicians and a host of others but for the sake of time I will address the educational priorities in this country.
After the major financial crisis on Wall Street that has reverberated around the country affecting millions of people in some form or another; we have yet to see financial reform. The very money that was given to the big banks and other firms are now being used to fight financial reform. Lost in all of this is the message we send our children about honesty, greed, doing what’s right, respect and love for one another. The message that “We are our brother’s keeper,” is absent in the actions and behavior of our leaders.

Needless to say, we now have local school boards who are laying off teachers and floating around the idea of shortening the number of days our children attend school; along with colleges looking to hike up tuition rates to make up for budget shortfalls. Hasn’t the students of these schools and colleges suffered enough?

We would rather pay college football coaches millions of dollars a year to coach football than to invest money into career services at our universities that would give graduates a good chance of securing a job. A career that would give them an opportunity to pay back the high costs of student loans. Instead of cutting back on outrageous salaries, we instead seek to increase rates to already inflated tuition costs.
I wonder how many graduates out there with college degrees, yet unemployed and still responsible for paying back their student loan? Why shouldn’t the colleges and universities be responsible for at least securing students their first job?

Our priorities are out of order and the only people who suffer are those who had nothing to do with the problem in the first place. The actions of a few have caused heartache and pain to millions of Americans.

Our colleges and universities should be held responsible for lackluster performance in their career services departments. We have allowed them to roam freely for far too long without any accountability. If a student pays from sixty to over hundred thousand to attend college, that college or university should be required to make every effort in assisting that graduate in finding a job. And a way to do that is to cut the salaries of coaches, presidents and senior administrators and shift that money to the career services department.

We need a paradigm shift in our thinking concerning how we educate our children or face a future much worse than what we are currently experiencing. With an educated workforce and citizenry, the public would be more enlightened and able to hold our political leaders accountable for their actions instead of easily being programmed and misled by whatever the media airs.
It is time that we all remove greed from our society and focus on what’s better for our children and the future of our country.

Just my thoughts, what’s yours?

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

I just received a package in the mail from a company that I ordered a product from and in the box was a “Thank You,” letter from the President and also a guarantee of their product, money back if not completely satisfied and a few other things. Let’s just say, I was impressed to see this and it reminded me of how all corporations should conduct business but unfortunately they do not. Over the past 30 years or so, with the gain and increase in power and influence of corporations, customer service and satisfaction has declined significantly. Greed is a corporation’s main focus and milking its customers out of every dime is their goal.

The current corporate culture is not gratifying to many Americans at this time; however, many feel useless in their ability to change how they do business. With thousands of lobbyists in Washington DC representing corporations and bribing our elected officials, the average American is left out of the equation only to suffer. Many are unaware, tired, stressed or just oblivious to the true power “we,” as consumers possess in the ability to change how corporations do business. The current movement of “MoveYourMoney” from big banks to community banks and credit unions seems to be picking up a lot of steam and would send a strong message to the Big Banks and Corporations that we are not going to sit idly by and take this mistreatment anymore.

After finding out the Obama administration is contemplating levying a fee on the bailout money banks received, the American Bankers Association countered by threatening to cut lending and fight having the fee imposed. This is another example of how corporations are out of touch with the average American and misguided by their single desire to seek and retain money. There seems to be no concern to do what’s right or for their customers.

If ever there were a time for a leader from the corporate community to stand up and be seen, now is that time.

I am waiting to find a corporate President/CEO to take the lead in this “Time of hardship,” for many Americans and set the example by refusing a bonus, accepting reduced pay and providing quality service at a fair and respected price. Now is the time for that person to stand up and gain the deserved respect from all Americans. Now is the time to put greed aside and focus on service to the people.

For too long we have allowed corporations to dictate the lives of consumers without the consumer buy-in or input. They just ram things down the throat of Americans along with the help of congress in passing the laws in their favor. America needs CEO’s/Corporations who care about their customer base and not just satisfying their shareholders and squeezing the public for more profits.

Will the real “CEO,” stand up?

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

I am puzzled as to why we have not voted all of our political leaders out of office who have a pattern over the years of voting strictly in favor of corporations over the average American.

Why are there no term limits on the number of years a senator or representative can serve?

Why do we not have campaign finance reform? Why are there no lobbyists for the poor?

Why did Wall Street get a bailout and not Main Street? Why did we reward those who created the financial crisis in the first place?

This is not about Republican, Democrat or Independent. It’s not about race. It’s about money and excessive greed by corporations. It’s about power hungry political leaders who are corrupt in their behavior by voting for a bailout, then receiving campaign contributions from the corporations who received the bailout. This is beyond criminal and goes against any form of integrity a public official should have.

I would strongly encourage voters to contact their elected officials, ask for their voting record and list of their campaign contributors. I’m certain their voting record is strictly aligned with and favoring the consumer lending industry which is the big banks, credit card companies along with the pharmaceutical and other major industries. This is not right! This is not fair and something should be done about it.

Our elected leaders seem not to care about the people who voted them in office, if so; they would have long ago enacted laws that benefit hardworking Americans. Yet, “We the People,” continue to accept the current and past behavior of these so-called political leaders by doing nothing.

Congress has catered to the rich and powerful for too long. This behavior has to change and the focus must shift back to the American workers.

Do you remember when congress did nothing to reign in corporations that allowed jobs to be outsourced overseas and never to return? Do you remember congress changing the bankruptcy laws because corporations wanted them changed? Do you remember congress repealing the Glass-Steagal Act, allowing banks on Wall Street to go unregulated which helped create the current financial crisis?

We have failed to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and therefore shoulder some of the blame for allowing them to remain in office.

Still to this day, our consumer lending industry can do as they please without much regulation or desire to treat consumers with fairness and respect. Ask yourself this; what has congress done that benefit solely the consumer in this country?

Again, this is not about republican or democrat; it’s about doing what’s right and fair for the American worker. It’s about leveling the playing field where the majority of the people can have a decent standard of living.

We must stop the greed and start focusing on what’s right for the majority and not the few.

The consumer lending industry, big banks and credit card issuers can jack up our interest rates on credit cards, assess a variety of fees and continue to rake in billions of dollars in profits. They disregard whether or not it’s right and our political leaders allow it to happen while steadily receiving kickbacks in campaign donations. If that isn’t corruption, I don’t know what is, yet it goes unchecked and no one complains about it. Well we need to start complaining and scream if necessary.

The squeaky wheel sometimes gets the attention and we must start getting a lot squeakier. We need to stop getting distracted by other issues, TV, games, sporting events etc. because that’s exactly what they want us to do, so they can continue passing laws tilted in favor of corporations. Those in power want us to stay busy working two to three jobs, overworked, underpaid, enslaved and distracted by corporations while they continue getting rich.

A distracted and overworked workforce has no time to voice concerns, protest, or complains about issues affecting their daily life.

We must not continue to allow this type of corruptive behavior to continue. We must become politically active and voice our concerns. We must contact our leaders and complain about issues affecting us because evidently, they do not care.

The media serves as a distraction or vehicle to sway people views in another direction or simply keep us preoccupied while our government continues to do the work of lobbyists for corporations. The media is in the programming business and its purpose is to program the minds of American citizens.
Whatever happened to investigative journalism?
Try pulling back and not watching as much TV news; watch yourself start to feel a little better.

We must stop catering to corporations and start catering to the American worker or we as a nation will continue to spiral downward morally, spiritually, and economically.

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

The definition of wealth is “an abundance or profusion of anything; plentiful amount.” “A great quantity or store of money; valuable possessions, property or other riches.” And happiness is defined as “The quality or state of being happy.” “Good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.”

I wonder does being wealthy mean you’re happy and if you’re happy does that mean you’re wealthy.

We as Americans believe that wealth is having materialistic things, power and money. If you have those things, you’re wealthy or at least you think you are. We have been programmed and misled by our past and present to think that accumulating lots of material possessions, makes one person better than the other and so forth. And with our capitalistic approach toward consumerism, we are headed toward an environmental and societal catastrophe if we continue this blind approach to the so-called pursuit of happiness while disregarding people and our planet’s natural resources.

Real wealth in my view is respecting nature and our environment, showing compassion and love for our fellow man, and creating an atmosphere where the majority can benefit from a fair and balanced economic system. Wealth is a state of mind and not something that can be gauged solely on monetary or material possession.

Real happiness is living life with a purpose, decent standard of living, working two to three days a week, enjoying time off with family, friends or whatever you choose, displaying love, and compassion to our fellow man. This symbolizes real happiness.

We can not allow a few, those with power and money to distract us all from the real meaning of wealth and happiness. We can not lose sight that we are all connected and should all participate in making life better for everyone. It should not be limited or exclusive to those with money.

Most people around the world are under the belief that “America” is a wealthy country and that the majority of its citizens are happy and stable financially, which is not true. It is my opinion that if you took a poll, majority of Americans would not consider themselves stable financially and are not completely happy with their life, job or their government.

My question is, what is real wealth? What is happiness to you? Are you happy?

A country that has pristine waters, forests, respect for the environment and its citizenry, is wealthier and happier than a country with all the riches in the world. Wealth is more than about what one person or country accumulates monetarily. It is not that simple and we should not fall privy to such a false illusion.

Many people on a daily basis are trapped in the illusion that they can achieve and one day attain “Happiness.” Our founding fathers placed in our constitution that we have a right to life, liberty and the “pursuit of happiness.” Let’s remember the “Pursuit of happiness,” which doesn’t mean everyone will attain it. Our current system doesn’t allow for everyone to reach such level of happiness and so-called wealth. Many believe that they can and some on occasion break through, however that number is very small. What we need is a system that works for the majority and not just a few.

With hundreds of our rivers, lakes and streams contaminated with toxins from greedy and unregulated corporations that are poisoning fish we consume and destroying our environment, I wouldn’t consider that as wealth but a society who is teetering on the brink of self-annihilation. We can not consider ourselves a wealthy nation with a mindset like this.

Wealth is valuing life, the environment and the people.

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

The definition of a lobbyist is “A person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest.” Now ask yourself who hires lobbyists? Who can afford to have a lobbyist other than the rich and corporations? This is another example of the playing field tilted in favor of those with power and money and another reason why we must change this corrupt system that puts the poor at a tremendous disadvantage.

Under a capitalistic system, you start a business, market and invest in that business, take risks and either succeed or fail. If you succeed, you benefit with monetary gain and if you fail, the opposite occurs. However, the corporations that took risks gambling their money on faulty mortgages, and other financial instruments etc. took chances and caused millions to lose their retirement, homes, etc. And guess what? They made money driving their businesses into a ditch and then made money getting their business out of the ditch with a bailout from the government; simply because they had someone in Washington lobbying for their interests.

They had the money to influence the votes of our elected leaders who are supposed to be working on behalf of the people who voted them in office. Instead our elected officials work for the lobbyists who represent corporations. My question is who works for the working class of this country if our elected officials don’t?

Now the very corporations, who received bailout money, took some of that money and gave it right back to the leaders who voted for the bailout in donations to their campaign. Does this seem to be corrupt? Is this fair or right? Is this ethical? Yet the media doesn’t cover or focus on stories like this because they are owned by corporations or somehow tied to or is benefitting from them financially in some way.

The people have yet to get outraged enough as to demand accountability and correct this type of behavior so it continues and the only one to suffer is the working class of this country. I often wonder, when will enough truly be enough? When will the “American” people get fed up with this blatant hypocrisy by our leaders in government which are puppets of corporations?

The media is suppose to look out and do investigative journalism that helps the average consumer but instead the media is in partnership with the big corporations and so this cycle of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer has no representation and therefore the cycle will continue if we don’t do something about it now.

Lobbying seems to be only for those with the means to afford them. So the poor, working class and dwindling middle class of this country is left to fend for themselves and thus far it’s been a losing battle. Who will stand up for the little people who don’t seem to have a decent, sincere and honorable representative speaking on their behalf? I’m sure there are a few leaders who care about the working class but that number is very small. I think the work of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio deserves kudos and I’m sure a few others but we need more public officials running for office who are not corrupt and actually care about the voters who send them there.

The American people don’t stand a chance in getting legislation drafted that works to their benefit with our current system and current corrupted politicians. “We The People,” need to recognize that our leaders don’t have our best interests at heart and are frequently influenced by lobbyists to pass laws that put corporations at a complete advantage.

It’s time that the people wake up and realize that this travesty can not continue if this country is to ever become vibrant again. The rich can not control 90% of the pie and leave the remaining 10% for over 250 million people to fight for in this rat race of economic inequality. This economic enslavement must stop and we must change.

Now is the time to ask if change is what we really want. Now is the time to reflect back on the greed this country is built on and understand that this type of greed and lack of compassion for the majority must cease. Are you truly ready for change? If so, join me in this cause to change the world, starting at home in your community, then nationally and internationally. Together, we can do it. Together, we will succeed. “We Must Change.”

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

These days it seems that people run for public office to serve themselves, the rich and not for the common good of man.  It is my belief that to hold an elected office, one must have high standards with a deep interest and concern for the general public.  Instead, we have a history of electing leaders who are corrupt on many fronts and repeatedly violate the public trust.  We have accepted officials with morals and values unbecoming of anyone to serve in such capacity.  We have accepted officials who choose not to support the working class but corporations instead.

We have become distracted from the political process by being overburdened financially and too busy with multiple jobs etc.  The media has not covered the issue of the outsourcing of jobs like it should have at that time and it continues to disserve the public in this manner.   It failed us on the economy and the Iraq war.  And guess who own the media – corporations.

Before the financial crisis our elected leaders passed laws that allowed corporations to outsource jobs overseas that will never return and has contributed to our current financial turbulence.  Our so-called leaders who were elected to represent the people have only represented the rich and corporations.  The financial crisis that has nearly brought America and the world to its knees was allowed by lawmakers repealing regulatory laws. 

The blame can and should be spread around to all who contributed to this mess and should not exclude Former President Bill Clinton who signed into law the act that repealed the Glass-Steagall act sponsored by then Republican senator Phil Gram.  The Glass-Steagall act was first passed by congress in 1933 to protect bank depositors from additional risks associated with certain security transactions.  With this window of opportunity, investment banks, major corporations etc. were free to gamble and toy with the lives of millions of people’s money.  Today millions of average Americans who trusted their leaders to act in their best interest failed them miserably and in turn lost their retirement and more due to the careless and irresponsible acts of the greedy elite. 

And after all of this, our elected leaders voted to bailout the very people that created the financial crisis in the first place.  And on top of that, they gave themselves big bonuses afterwards.  So, the crooks, made money destroying our economy and then made money afterwards.

Too often our elected leaders have allowed Wall Street to do as they pleased, while the average American suffers.  And of course we can not forget former President George W. Bush who has done more harm to this country than anyone I can recall in my lifetime.  But the blame doesn’t start or stop at these individuals.  We must also hold accountable the lawmakers who were persuaded by lobbyists to vote for issues favoring big corporations over the working class of this country.

Holding our leaders accountable is a must and will curtail some corruption in politics but won’t stop until “We the People,” decide to start electing genuine, sincere honorable leaders with respected values and morals.

It is way past time that we all join forces to seek drastic change in how we elect our leaders, who we select and the amount of time they serve in public office.  Having term limits placed on our officials should assist in reducing corruption in some form.  If we are to salvage and restore the middle class of this country, we need leaders who care for us, the working class, and not the rich.

David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

As long as capitalism exists, poverty, separation, and inequality will continue in its destruction of our society. The systems constructed in both government and the private sector is heavily tilted in favor of those with power and money. The working class, the working poor, the average citizen doesn’t stand a chance under this capitalistic system.

It is completely unrealistic to think that under this current system, we can all reap the benefits of achieving the “American Dream.” It was designed to cater to and benefit only a small percentage of people while the majority struggle in the pursuit of a great illusion.

Under the capitalistic system, divide and conquer, fear, desperation, poor education and hopelessness are tools used to keep those at the top on top and those on the bottom to remain there. But with an informed and educated citizenry, the masses would not tolerate what is currently taking place under this system.

To better understand the disadvantages, picture yourself as a football team starting the game down 28 – 0 and up against a formidable team who is much bigger, quicker, better trained, better equipped and better positioned to win every down, every quarter and every game that’s played.

Is that fair? Is it right? What are you going to do about it?

We must change this system of enslavement to a system where the majority of people benefit instead of a few. If not for our future, we must do so for our children’s future. It can be done but we must all join in and take the first step toward real change and that time is now!

By David J. Hudson, WeMustChange.org

The slave trade, bondage and actual ownership of slaves are supposedly over but enslavement continues for the majority of people throughout America and the world. Many are enslaved economically yet blindly and unknowingly accept it. If you did the research, you would discover that our constitution was written by the few and for the few. If the constitution was to include and represent everyone, there would have been more representatives involved in its construction, which was not the case.
Yes, we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to bear arms in our constitution yet the bill of rights was added 100 years later. Our system was not designed with the majority of its citizenry in mind and this philosophy continues to this present day.

A lot of today’s wealth is linked to slavery. Most corporations have gotten a great start financially with hundreds of years of free labor. Is it fair for those who seek a decent life to be subjected to unfair economic policies that strictly favor the rich? This is not about race but instead money and power. And it is past time we close the gap of poverty and prosperity.

The most recent economic crisis has brought to light a lot of things that our government and corporations do to keep the masses of people trapped in poverty. It is my humble opinion to state that poverty is created and maintained by our government and the wealthy so that our system of inequality can continue as is and unabated. Laws are written that favor corporations over small businesses which keeps the playing field unequal and slanted in favor of big business over local communities and only the little guy suffers. This philosophy shares some blame for our recent economic downfall.

The philosophy of “Too Big To Fail” is a host and laws should be passed immediately to remedy this problem. We should never allow a company to get “Too big to fail.” The 700 billion used to bail out companies who helped in the creation of the financial crisis would have been better served by giving that money directly to the people who need it the most. Why on earth would the government give money to the very companies that drove their business into a ditch while its people continue to struggle? It is completely unfair but our system is created to support and help the rich and well-connected and not the majority of its people. This system must be changed or the gap of the rich and poor will continue to widen benefiting only the rich.

The march to change starts with you; I’m ready, are you?