RE: "Neoliberalism is a philosophy which construes profit making..." Glenn, Thanks for this post. This describes so much of what has been going on in our society in recent years.
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 07:14:54 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UC] Security sales - scratching AWAY my silence CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Rick et al., You are right to describe these experiences as a war. Here is a very relevant quote from Henry Giroux about the terrorism of neoliberalism. Consider the various points Giroux describes and think of the history of our neighborhood over the past decade, as well as the class war across the country. Robocalls, privatization of Clark Park, university sponsored censorship, and the profound incivility and ignorance in all media, are all symptoms of what is essentially the same class war. (I also included a very good video of Giroux, The War on Youth). Keep your eyes open and hold onto love of other humans, future generations, and the earth itself! "You have described the phenomena of neo-liberalism as a “terror.” Could you briefly explain what neo-liberalism is and why you called it a terror? Neoliberalism is a philosophy which construes profit making as the essence of democracy and consuming as the only operable form of citizenship. It also provides a rationale for a handful of private interests to control as much as possible of social, economic, and political life in order to maximize their personal profit. Neoliberalism is marked by a shift from the manufacturing to the service sector, the rise of temporary and part-time work, growth of the financial sphere and speculative activity, the spread of mass consumerism, the commodification of practically everything. Neoliberalism combines free market ideology with the privatization of public wealth, the elimination of the social state and social protections, and the deregulation of economic activity. Core narratives of neoliberalism are: privatization, deregulation, commodification, and the selling off of state functions. Neoliberalism advocates lifting the government oversight of free enterprise/trade thereby not providing checks and balances to prevent or mitigate social damage that might occur as a result of the policy of “no governmental interference”; eliminating public funding of social services; deregulating governmental involvement in anything that could cut into the profits of private enterprise; privatizing such enterprises as schools, hospitals, community-based organizations, and other entities traditionally held in the public trust; and eradicating the concept of “the public good” or “community” in favor of “individual responsibility.” It is a form of terrorism because it abstracts economics from ethics and social costs, makes a mockery of democracy, works to dismantle the welfare state, thrives on militarization, undermines any public sphere not governed by market values, and transforms people into commodities. Neoliberalism’s rigid emphasis on unfettered individualism, competitiveness and flexibility displaces compassion, sharing and a concern for the welfare of others. In doing so, it dissolves crucial social bonds and undermines the profound nature of social responsibility and its ensuing concern for others. In removing individuals from broader social obligations, it not only tears up social solidarities, it also promotes a kind of individualism that is almost pathological in its disdain for public goods, community, social provisions, and public values. Given its tendency to instrumentalize knowledge, it exhibits mistrust for thoughtfulness, complexity, and critical dialogue and in doing so contributes to a culture of stupidity and cruelty in which the dominant ethic is organized around the discourse of war and a survival of the fittest mentality. Neoliberalism is the antithesis of democracy." 33 minutes, scroll down http://truth-out.org/news/item/13030-a-conversation-with-henry-a-giroux -----Original Message----- From: Richard Conrad Sent: Dec 4, 2012 1:03 AM To: Glenn moyer Cc: Kimm Tynan , missthin , [email protected] Subject: Re: [UC] Security sales - scratching AWAY my silence I am a commie. I live in the same world, work, need things, care... hurt when I'm hurt, love when I'm loved On Dec 3, 2012, at 7:01 AM, Glenn moyer wrote: Sounds like we got commies on the list! Do you extremists want to put unholy regulations on the backs of these job creators? Our duty as consumers is to be manipulated into buying useless and harmful products and services, so that a tiny group of good people can be super wealthy. I think the district needs some riot police, drones, and censorship to silence the commies and terrorists on this list! I hope the civic associations are taking down names. -----Original Message----- From: Kimm Tynan Sent: Dec 2, 2012 11:26 PM To: missthin , Richard Conrad Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UC] Security sales - scratching AWAY my silence The Federal Trade Commission would also like to know if anyone knows how to stop them and is offering a $50,000 prize to anyone who can come up with a solution. http://robocall.challenge.gov Kimm On 12/2/12 5:00 PM, "missthin" <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Richard and anyone else getting these robocalls YES, I get at least one home security call a day, the "if you are up to date on your electric bill" calls - 3 or 4 a day and the ever loving "lower your interest on your credit card" calls. Yes I'm on the DNC list, no it's not stopping any of these scammers. And yes, when they call my cellphone and I get a number I do report it, but that does no good either. Cell is really annoying because it's prepaid, so I'm paying for these calls! I don't know what the answer is to stopping them. I've tried the wait and press to speak to someone and have nicely informed of DNC list and to take me off, I've yelled. Doesn't matter. They're all constant. If anyone knows how to get them to stop, please let the rest of us know? Wendy On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 9:53 AM, Richard Conrad <[email protected]> wrote: Is it just me... or is anyone else getting constant come ons from home security sales persons? ////Security selling solicitations -seriously seem to be invading... 'Organized' crime ' saying they are EAGERLY helping to keep pretty much JUST what they are doing from happening??? Constant 'come on's THEY are so freak went-Ly(e) phoning out phoney phfishings! ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." 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