Corporatism can be defined as the belief that corporate entities transcend ordinary humanity and must, therefore, be granted transcendent legal rights. In other words, we have created monsters with power over our lives that we cannot hold accountable through regulatory, legislative or judicial action. The usual justification goes something like: “The divine free market produced these corporate entities, as the fittest survived and flourished.” That’s an ideological fantasy, and a destructive one at that.
The “too big to fail” phenom America witnessed as the economic crisis deepened puts the lie to that claim, of course. It made it clear that the greatest threat to the free market is not government, it’s predatory, corporatist sharks who feed on the honest businessperson, the small mom-and-pop store, and, ultimately, the taxpayers.
All the things we value in a open, transparent and honest marketplace — opportunity, entrepreneurship, productivity, self-reliance, innovation — are stifled by corporatism. The corporatists have sold the line that it’s government that stands in the way of these values. Not true. What I’m trying to advance is a pro-business/anti-corporatism idea. We don’t need big government to get there, because I still believe Tom Paine was right when he said that the government that governs least governs best. But we do need to rid politics of corrupt corporatism, we do need open courts, we do need to restore accountability and responsibility in the political/corporate environment.
Glenn W. Smith has spent the past 30 years in journalism and politics, where he’s made a name for himself as a writer, campaign manager, activist, think tank analyst and, as Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas says, a “legendary political consultant and all-around good guy.” “There’s no one like him,” says author George Lakoff. CNN commentator Paul Begala says, “He has unmatched experience, a graceful pen (or pixel nowadays) and deep insight into the best and worst of us.” Novelist Sarah Bird speaks of his “lucid and lyrical” prose. And, she says, he’s fun. Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington says Glenn writes with “grace and abundant humor” and “uses his colorful experiences in Texas to enlighten us all.”
Smith led Ann Richards’ successful 1990 campaign for Governor of Texas. He worked for former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Earlier, Smith was a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. He’s coordinated national campaigns for groups such as MoveOn.org. In 2004, he authored the highly acclaimed book, The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction. He also wrote Unfit Commander, a book that detailed George W. Bush’s mysterious disappearance from military service.
In 2004, Smith was featured in the film, Bush’s Brain, a documentary about Karl Rove. Smith provided commentary on Rove’s role as then-President Bush’s senior advisor. He has made numerous media appearances with Chris Mathews on Hardball, Joe Scarborough, Brit Hume, and many others. He writes a regularly for top national web sites, including FireDogLake and Huffington Post.
As a senior fellow at George Lakoff’s prestigious Rockridge Institute in Berkeley he studied, wrote and taught on the power of metaphor and narrative in political communications. He also lectured on religion and politics at the Starr King School for Ministry in Berkeley. As a sponsor and organizer, he has pulled together numerous national events with progressive religious leaders. He also organized a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King at Riverside Church in New York City as well as “Freedom and Faith” bus tours, which was a nationwide campaign for social justice and progressive values.
Smith’s play, Double Play, which explored American Western myths and legends, was held over to sold-out audiences. He’s even written and performed songs in the Americana tradition, such as his best-known song, “Helping Marty Robbins,” a tribute to his hometown, Houston.
Most recently, Smith is the creator of DogCanyon, a political and cultural web site covering state, national and global issues from a Texas perspective. DogCanyon is an exhilarating and unique site that gets the connections between politics and culture and explores both the personal side of politics and the ups, down, craziness and beauty of “life its ownself,” as humorist Dan Jenkins would say. DogCanyon offers heartfelt personal essays, hard-hitting political analysis, and, most importantly, laughs.
As Paul Begala said, Smith writes in “the finest, firmest, fearless tradition of Texas essayists like Molly Ivins.”
I’m all for restoring accountability and responsibility. Moyer’s piece is encouraging. And I’m reminded of former Cigna exec, Wendell Potter, that Moyers featured on his show. Thanks, Glenn, for keeping me from getting too cynical in my old age.
I’m all for restoring accountability and responsibility. Moyer’s piece is encouraging. And I’m reminded of former Cigna exec, Wendell Potter, that Moyers featured on his show. Thanks, Glenn, for keeping me from getting too cynical in my old age.
Hey, I’m relying on you to keep me from getting cynical in my old age!!
Unfortunately, I’m cynical enough for all three of us!