Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Conversation has been about corporate actors taking the place of the state sovereign and how they avoid answering to state authority by setting up shop overseas out of their respective sovereigns’ reach.  During the live session, it was no surprise that Wal-Mart came up as an example of this evil empire that evades any sort of accountability.  It really is surprising as to how old businesses like Wal-Mart have grown so far beyond the vision of their original creators.

My weigh in in all this is that the epitome of big business taking over as a political power brings up, for me, the image of Donald Trump as president.  Not to start any big debates or make anyone mad, but he is the picture of that big business, bottom dollar mentality and he brandishes those practices on the political floor.  His staff takes their cue from him and, low and behold, a political rally turns into a bar brawl.  And, in the end, Trump is never really held accountable for any of that.  In fact, he keeps gaining momentum from his supporters.

However, I do have a prediction on that front.  Your staff acting up at a rally is one thing, but what happens at the federal level when you, legally, cannot move without Congress’s approval is another.  That is also how, I believe , it works with these businesses.  These corporate actors can interfere with capacity to an extent and maybe even mix with authority, but they will never replace the authority of the state.  State authority can seize assets and look for any justifiable reason for invasive surveillance.  Look at what happened to Capone.  He got life in prison over one count of tax evasion.


It is important to remember that no matter where your company goes or who you pay off to keep your wheels of operation spinning, big brother is always watching and waiting.

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