Corporate commercialism condemned
Students view Ralph Nader film in Molstead Library
Paul Lash
Issue date: 12/7/09 Section: News
NIC's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa showed a prerecorded presentation by Ralph Nader titled "Subordinating Corporate Commercialism and the Sovereignty of the People" Nov. 19 in Todd Hall at Molstead Library.
The video is part of PTK's 2009 Honors Seminar Series titled "The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences," which examines challenges within affluent society and how choices the affluent make impact the world at large.
Pat Lippert, PTK Advisor, prefaced the video with a quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"…I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money-power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
Nader asserted that Lincoln's fears have come to fruition, that gigantic corporations impose their will over society, undermining Democracy and that in order to move toward the Democratic ideal society must "subordinate commercial values to civic values."
He said that, historically, commercial interests, those motivated by profit alone, have opposed "the great progress in this country," and he cited examples such as: cotton plantations opposing the abolition of slavery, industrialists opposing the reform of child labor laws, energy companies opposing environmental regulation and insurance and pharmaceutical companies opposing healthcare reform.
He cited that 18,000 Americans die every year because they can't afford health insurance, 58,000 die from work-related diseases, 65,000 die from air pollution and 100,000 die from preventable medical negligence, while commercial interests continue to lobby for deregulation.
"You and I own one-third of America," Nader said. "You and I own the public lands and airwaves. Yet, you pay more for your autolicense than the biggest TV station in the United States pays for using your property. You and I own these assets, but we do not control them."
The video is part of PTK's 2009 Honors Seminar Series titled "The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences," which examines challenges within affluent society and how choices the affluent make impact the world at large.
Pat Lippert, PTK Advisor, prefaced the video with a quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"…I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money-power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
Nader asserted that Lincoln's fears have come to fruition, that gigantic corporations impose their will over society, undermining Democracy and that in order to move toward the Democratic ideal society must "subordinate commercial values to civic values."
He said that, historically, commercial interests, those motivated by profit alone, have opposed "the great progress in this country," and he cited examples such as: cotton plantations opposing the abolition of slavery, industrialists opposing the reform of child labor laws, energy companies opposing environmental regulation and insurance and pharmaceutical companies opposing healthcare reform.
He cited that 18,000 Americans die every year because they can't afford health insurance, 58,000 die from work-related diseases, 65,000 die from air pollution and 100,000 die from preventable medical negligence, while commercial interests continue to lobby for deregulation.
"You and I own one-third of America," Nader said. "You and I own the public lands and airwaves. Yet, you pay more for your autolicense than the biggest TV station in the United States pays for using your property. You and I own these assets, but we do not control them."
Be the first to comment on this story