Michael Moore goes after the pigs

Capitalism: a Love Story doesn't just go after the seamy side of the American economy, although that is captured neatly in the scenes of "condo vultures" feeding on Florida's housing bust, alongside the corporations (including Wal-Mart and Amegy Bank) which take out insurance policies on their employees and cash in big when they die young. These ghoulish derivatives go by the charming name of "dead peasants" insurance – which says it all, really.

But Moore has bigger targets in his sights: he is questioning whether the whole incentive structure, moral values and political economy of American capitalism is fit for human beings. Although this will not seem so radical in Europe, where most countries have had governments in the post-second world war era that at least called themselves socialist, or in most of the developing world, where socialist ideas have popular appeal, it's pretty much unprecedented for something that can reach a mass audience in the US.

But you don't have to be a revolutionary to appreciate this film. Indeed, it can be seen as a social democratic treatise, with Franklin Roosevelt's proposed "second bill of rights" – an "economic bill of rights" that included a job with a living wage, housing, medical care, and education – as its reform program. Roosevelt is shown proposing this now forgotten program back in 1944.

As in his previous films, Moore combines the grief and tragedy of the victims – people losing their homes and jobs – with hilarious comedy, cartoonish film clips from the 1950's, and sober testimony as needed. And there are victories, too – as when workers occupy their factory in Chicago to win the pay that they are owed.

As an economist who operates in the think-tank world, I have to appreciate this work. He gets the economic story right. How is it that Michael Moore's father could buy a house and raise a family on the income of one auto worker, and still have a pension for his retirement? And yet this is not possible in the vastly more productive economy of today? The answer is not complicated: ...

More.

In defense of Joe Wilson: he called the president a liar, was correct, and paid a price

Oh, you were thinking of that other Joe Wilson? Fail.

Honestly, Joe Wilson was the best thing that happened last night.

Well, that and Eric Cant'or Twittering on his Blackberry, and Louie Gohmert holding up his signs, and the booing, hissing, laughter and general town-halling going on by the GOP during last night's joint session address. His Democratic opponent has raised nearly OVER $100,000 -- $40,000 in the first hour after Wilson screamed "lie" at the President.

Lord Charles Boustany -- thrice sued for medical malpractice, a "death-panel" advocate and former Birther -- managed a less-than-tepid response. The best that can be said for him is that he wasn't foaming at the mouth as he delivered his remarks (unlike many of his colleagues).

This behavior does nothing but vindicate Van Jones's original opinion of the Republicans.

Immediate polling reaction is pretty favorable for health care reform. Oh well, August was good for the GOP ... while it lasted.

Pastrami King for Lt. Governor

*heavy sigh* This is what happens when you have a weak state party chairman ...

As proprietor of the venerable Katz's Deli and Bar on Austin's West Sixth Street, Marc Katz has prospered by dishing up Reuben sandwiches, hot pastrami, Kahuna Burgers and Yankee pot roast to a Texas clientele pehaps more accustomed to barbecue and Tex-Mex.

Now the 62-year-old self-anointed Pastrami King is cooking up plans for a big career change by seeking the number two post in state government. Katz said he is running as a Democrat for lieutenant governor, a post now held by Republican David Dewhurst. Dewhurst has been widely mentioned a possible appointee to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry's leading Republican challenger in the 2010 governor's race. Hutchison has said that she will resign the Senate later this fall.

Katz has previously run for Austin mayor, a contest in which he garnered about a hundred votes. You'd think there were more stoners eating his sandwiches at 3 a.m. on any given Sunday in Austin than that, but there you go.

Rachel brings it meaner.

The irony is making me ill

The Labor Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone has a happy Labor Day, and notes that it won't be any work at all to read this week's roundup of blog highlights.

ExxonMobil! Free Mrs. Burns!

Like TXsharon, Elizabeth Burns is a reluctant activist forced into action by the horrendous environmental abuses she witnesses on her own ranch. Her videos have exposed reckless drilling practices by Exxon Mobil that endanger human health and safety, harm wildlife and spoil air, soil and water. XOM has gagged Mrs. Burns claiming that she is revealing "trade secrets."

Neil at Texas Liberal made note of elections in Japan. These elections have moved Japan to the left and possibly changed Japanese politics for years to come.

Off the Kuff discusses the latest entrants into the Texas Governor's race.

Mayor McSleaze at McBlogger takes a look at the BARACKNOPHOBIA gripping a small minority of the people in some parts of Texas.

The Texas Cloverleaf announces its intention to not run for Governor.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders why SMU is still supporting a Bush policy institute. Isn't that like the Larry, Moe and Curly institute of higher learning?

Felix Alvarado's problems managing his checking account are a precursor of bigger troubles ahead for Texas Democrats in 2010, reports PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Dembones at Eye On Williamson posts about the latest craziness from the crackpots in our country: More fake outrage from right wing astroturf.

Over at TexasKaos, Libby Shaw helps out understanding the latest right wing meltdown in The Right Wing Goes Ballistic Again . If their unhinged outrage leaves you scratching your head, check it out!

WhosPlayin readers divided their time between rallying for health insurance reform and standing up to the Lewisville ISD's silly decision to BLOCK the President's speech from its classrooms.

Today would be a good day

... to thank your neighborhood socialist for their positive contributions to workers' rights in America.



Music by Utah Phillips.