If the unrevised history of our country has shown us anything it is that the corporations allowed to regulate themselves don't. Going back to the 19th century American industrial revolution, private unregulated industries have violated laws, ethics and morals all in the pursuit of profit. Whether it was sending children into coal mines, locking women in the fire trap sweatshops of the American garment industry, or the creation of monopolies, American industry has proven that as far as they are concerned profit is all that matters. More recently we have seen big companies behaving badly in the pursuit of profit.
In the last few years, even with all those "oppressive" regulations, we have seen an incredible amount of industrial irresponsibility. Whether it was lead in toys, toxic drywall and tainted pet food from China, the "Too big to fail" banks risking the nation's economic security with questionable and reckless activity, or big oil and big coal companies operating with the idea that the money that could be spent on improving safe guards against environmental disasters and human tragedies is better spent on campaign contributions that result in regulators turning a blind eye toward their risky behavior, the big corporations have shown a disregard for our nation and our people by placing their profits over what's good for America. But hey that's what capitalism is all about. Look out for yourself and the heck with anyone else. A very unchristian like philosophy trumpeted by a Republican Party that prides itself as the keepers of Christian values.
But even with those examples of corporate irresponsibility and possible criminal negligence, the GOP still believes that removing the regulations on the books and allowing the corporations to operate with impunity is what's best for the country. In fact removing regulations seems to be their answer to every problem our nation faces. That and irresponsible tax cuts which helped grow the deficit. In fact the GOP tells us that more irresponsible tax cuts are what this country needs. The GOP also states that they will cut earmarks when they are in power. But their actions always speak louder than their words.
For instance, last week in the House of Representatives congressmen moved to eliminate an earmark that the defense department doesn't want and that President Obama opposes. This earmark funds an unnecessary project that has already cost us $1.2 billion and will cost us at least $2.9 billion more before it is all said and done. When the votes were counted a majority of Democrats voted to eliminate this obvious example of pork barrel spending. But the action was futile because a majority of Republicans, led by Republican congressional leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor, voted to keep the earmark on the defense bill while the anti-government spending Tea Party remained silent.
What's disturbing is that the GOP feels they will retake congress on a platform of family values that they don't value, on removing regulations from irresponsible industries, and passing deficit increasing tax cuts for the wealthy. And if this happens then America will truly have a government we deserve not the government we need and we will have no one to blame but ourselves.
