As the United States presidential primary season approaches we are subjected to presidential candidate debates, debate analysis by the media (much of which shows extreme bias) and the dissemination of misinformation of all types.  Do we really know much about how the candidates will act should they become President of the United States in January 2017.  From prior experience we know that much of what candidates promise in election campaigns is forgotten once they are elected.  Since all presidents must deal with Congress on many of the issues they must address, how can we judge how the combination of the new President and the new Congress will act on any particular issue.  Since we know that many, if not most, members of Congress, are puppets for the interests that funded their election campaigns, how can we rationally anticipate what will happen once our new leaders are elected?  Is there any candidate we can trust? 

As all of us consider who we want to support during the election season I think it is useful to look back at some of the history of our country.  I have commented on many books on www.thepurplemuse.com that provided historical perspective on the actions of our government.  Any honest person has to ask themselves: What were the leaders of our government thinking during most of the past 100 years of our nations history?  Many of the actions that have been taken don't appear to reflect the values of our nation.  Has US government propaganda misinformed and confused the majority of the American people? 

I recently finished reading Profit Over People - Neoliberalism and Global Order by Noam Chomsky.  The book was originally published in 1999 and is comprised of seven chapters of material created by Chomsky between 1994 and 1998, during President Clinton's administration (how ironic!).  Chomsky is a well known as an extreme liberal progressive and his views on the issues addressed in the book are presented from this perspective.  Many moderate or right wing individuals might wish to dismiss the issues Chomsky writes about simply because of his perspective.  However, the issues Chomsky addresses are real.  The issues impact the lives of millions of people in countries around the world.  If we don't agree with Chomsky's perspective, how do we think the issues should be addressed. 

There are many issues discussed in the book.  I have chosen two of them to discuss in this blog.  In 1981 a USAID-World Bank development strategy was initiated in Haiti "based on assembly plants and agroexport, shifting land from food for local consumption" for the benefit of private enterprises.  The most important economic objectives for any society are to be self sufficient with regard to food production and to provide access to clean drinking water.  I understand from a variety of sources that the US advised a number of countries to reallocate land and labor from food production for local consumption to other uses.  This makes no sense to me for any society or nation at any level of development.  Did the US government really do this?  If yes, why?  

Another issue Chomsky addresses in his book relates to the negotiation of trade deals.  He makes a very interesting statement.  "The so-called free trade agreements are one such device for undermining democracy."  Chomsky expresses deep concerns that trade agreements aren't fully debated within our democratic system.  It is ironic that this issue is currently being debated again in relation to the Trans-Pacific Partnership which was developed in secret by the Obama administration.  Who should have a voice in negotiating trade agreements?  What factors should be addressed?  These are legitimate questions that haven't been appropriately answered during the past 16 years since Profit Over People was written. 

If you think that I am a left winger like Chomsky, you are incorrect.  I disagree with many of the points in this book and others that Chomsky has written.  I believe Chomsky view of business and the corporate world is grossly distorted.  But there is no question that the US government and some US corporations have abused people and committed illegal or immoral acts in their quest for power and profits at different times in our history.  There is simply too much evidence to deny that this is true.  

During the next election cycle we must all work together to elect a group of leaders that can work together for the benefit of all Americans.  We have major problems that must be addressed.  We must create a effective balance between people issues, government power and corporate quest for profits within the context of our constitution.  This is a very hard task, but we must try harder to make progress in the years ahead. 

TPM