Jeff Byrne

    U.S. President Barack Obama inherited an economy ruined by a lack of responsibility by corporate America that was allowed — and even encouraged — by the Republican administration of George W. Bush.

    Republicans today are practicing the politics of “no.” They have railed against worthwhile reforms Obama has attempted to implement, or watered down those he has. Aided by noisy television and radio pundits, the Republicans have been able to indoctrinate millions of Americans into believing things that are simply not true.

    It is hard to believe that, according to polls, about 18 percent of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim (he’s not, he is Christian). A further 16 percent believe Obama is not an American citizen (he was born in the State of Hawaii).

    Republicans have been joined by those who call themselves the Tea Party. Apparently disenchanted by both the major parties, the Tea Party set is appealing to enough people to muddy the waters — and perhaps create a split that could prevent the GOP from winning control of the Senate in the mid-term elections this week.

    Ironically, it is America’s freedoms that appear to do it the most harm. Freedom of speech is essential in any democracy. But it carries responsibilities. Nobody should be allowed to spout lies and innuendo — such as those peddled by Fox News — without being held to account. This is not freedom of speech — it is the abuse of freedom of speech.

    Then there is the freedom to own weapons, including assault weapons; the freedom to form armed militias with the one intent of bringing down the U.S. Government, which was democratically elected.

    But, the real danger to American democracy is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has launched a massive national advertising campaign to undermine the historic rewrite of financial regulations to curb the insanities of Wall Street.

    Legislation that would require the chamber — and others like it — to identify the biggest contributors when they spend money on political advertising has been vigorously opposed.

    Health insurance providers channeled at least US$10 million to the chamber last year to oppose Obama’s health care legislation. All donors were anonymous.

    The big donors are the usual suspects: Goldman Sachs, Chevron Texaco, Dow Chemical, and others who contribute millions each year to the chamber. At least 90 percent of this money supports Republican issues. A survey of about 70 advertisements produced by the chamber revealed that 93 percent of those that ran nationally concentrated on the midterm elections. They either supported Republicans or denigrated their opponents.

    Last year, the chamber and its affiliates allocated US$144 million for lobbying and budgeted to spend US$200 million this year. It is the biggest lobbyist in the United States.

    Some donors have complained that unless they spend a quarter of a million to half a million dollars a year with the chamber, they are ignored. It’s the big money that counts.

    Most of this is spent on “educating the voters.”

    Pundits are tipping the Democrats to lose control of the Senate in this week’s elections. That also happened to former president Bill Clinton who had to clean up the mess left by Bush Senior and, despite his personal weaknesses, went on to become one of America’s most successful presidents.

    There is a new dichotomy emerging between those who have houses and those whose homes have been repossessed; those with a job and those without and struggling to make a living.

    The Obama administration is facing a multitude of challenges and is printing money and borrowing to buy its way out of recession. But what is really needed is an assault on the massive and growing deficit. Americans need to cut back on their expensive lifestyles.

    That won’t happen any time soon but, if Republicans regain control, the world is probably in for a bumpy ride.

    American democracy is described as government of the people, for the people, by the people. In 1948, legislation was passed allowing corporations to call themselves “persons.”

    Getting the picture?

    (The author is a Shenzhen Daily senior copy editor and writer.)