Current Affairs Essay

So stopping thinking old school! Get over the idea that you can affect change by supporting political candidates or parties. It's too late for that. There's only one way to deal with corporate fascists. Hit 'em where it hurts the most. Kick 'em in the economic nuts! And not just you, but millions like you at the same time

If MoveOn.org and Howard Dean have taught us anything, it's that the Internet is the perfect tool to recruit millions of citizens for a united cause. So my suggestion is this: All populist groups-- irrespective of their political stripe or affiliation-- should give up supporting candidates or parties, band together as one organization, and switch to the economic front to counter corporate fascism-- as they do in Italy.

Next, form a national organization-- let's call it something non-threatening like the National Employees Association (NEA)-- that represents ALL American workers. Then set a national agenda with specific goals and demands that appeal to the basic economic needs of U.S. employees and citizens alike.

For example: All Americans should have affordable health care-- and they should have it now, not ten years from now! Once this demand is made public, it would be up to corporate America and their political stooges to respond. If they ignore the demand, or attempt to sabotage it, then the NEA will call a national strike on a pre-set day against all insurance companies, hospitals, and HMOs.

On that day, no one pays his or her health insurance bill and no one goes to work in the health care industry. In addition, all NEA members will boycott any company that does not support their association's position.

Will this work? You're damn right it will-- if the employee association is 50 to 100 million strong. The trick is to get American employees to sign up and participate. That's where the Internet comes in. With the right leadership and strategy, every employee in the country (including the owners of small independent businesses who also are battling corporate fascism) will want to become a member.

After all, employees and small independent businesses in the United States are the ones who do a lion's share of the work to keep the country from collapsing. It doesn't matter whether they're Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. The appeal must be economic, not political.

And once large corporations understand that the free ride is over, that employees and small independent business owners are united and can exert serious economic leverage against them, they will think twice about trying to screw them the next time around. This will strike a major blow against corporate fascism and score a long-awaited victory for democracy.

After that, the NEA can finish the job, and its members can go to work on the political process by informing their friendly elected Congress person: You'd better pass legislation that is good for all Americans and not just your corporate buddies-- or you're next, Jack!