The Social Contract

[The Traveler]

The neocons have sold a bill of goods based, in large part, on the notion that the old "liberal" social contract was no longer necessary. Many people bought into that, but almost everybody believed that in massive extemis the new "neo-conservative" social contract would compel federal action.

It has ocurred to many that honoring the "old" social contract would have mitigated many of the effects of this storm (e.g. public works to beef up flood control systems) and, simultaneously, that the ability of a federal government "weak enough to drown in a bathtub" to cope with real world situations is insufficient.

The idea is sinking in, out there. As David Gergen noted, the formation of a neo-conservative majority that will endure for 20-30 years is now very much at risk.

As well it should be. It is clear that neo-conservatism produces disastrous policy. It must be flung on the dung heap of history.

A new liberalism must needs rise from these ashes. The question is, how not merely to regulate the power of free market capitalism, but to harness it to achieve the public good.

[texpatriot2004]

1. True. Well said. Katrina is tragic and prime example of their

"vision" - a complete failure.

[ConsAreLiars]

2. Multinational Capitalism has decided that the "social contract" is too

costly and needs to be eliminated. For the rest of us, Katrina (and Iraq and the rest of it) shows that Multinational Capitalism is too costly, and needs to be eliminated.

[applegrove]

3. By making it law around the world that corporations need to pay

some taxes. And the elites need to too. And regulations needs to be world-wide.

That way you can regulate for 'Health Care' across the planet and everyone has to comply.

We have absolutely got choices in what the "norms" are.