The Powel Memorandum

[HRM Resident]

I only was vaguely aware of the Powel memo until Mike
mentioned it earlier. I then took the time to search it out
and read it in detail. Most initially discarded it as a hare-
brained idea like many other documents that come and go.

However, when it resurfaced in the 1990s, it is easy to see
how it has slowly infiltrated the US political system, with the
formation of right-wing super PACs, the takeover of the
Judicial Branch of the government, the slow rigging of the
voting system to favour Republicans, the deregulation of
most things that reduce profits, the destruction of unions,
and many other things.

This culminated in the open buying of the recent election
by billionaires (Musk et. al.) and the total control of all
branches of government by large corporations. This was
the goal of the Powel memorandum, and it has been
successful - no more to be scoffed at as a fringe idea.

Where this goes and how it ends is an open question.
For now, we have to accept that democracy is, at best,
on life support, if not dead, in the USA. I suspect Canada
is not far behind as Alberta Conservative think tanks hone
their skills to embrace the same philosophy, having watched
it take place south of the border.

[James Warren]

Post by HRM Resident
I only was vaguely aware of the Powel memo until Mike
mentioned it earlier. I then took the time to search it out
and read it in detail. Most initially discarded it as a hare-
brained idea like many other documents that come and go.
However, when it resurfaced in the 1990s, it is easy to see
how it has slowly infiltrated the US political system, with the
formation of right-wing super PACs, the takeover of the
Judicial Branch of the government, the slow rigging of the
voting system to favour Republicans, the deregulation of
most things that reduce profits, the destruction of unions,
and many other things.
This culminated in the open buying of the recent election
by billionaires (Musk et. al.) and the total control of all
branches of government by large corporations. This was
the goal of the Powel memorandum, and it has been
successful - no more to be scoffed at as a fringe idea.
Where this goes and how it ends is an open question.
For now, we have to accept that democracy is, at best,
on life support, if not dead, in the USA. I suspect Canada
is not far behind as Alberta Conservative think tanks hone
their skills to embrace the same philosophy, having watched
it take place south of the border.

On the road to oligarchy.

[HRM Resident]

Post by James Warren
On the road to oligarchy.

Indeed. How dare people like Ralph Nader expose the
dangers of GM cars? Or doctors tell people smoking was
bad for us? Those idiots get in the way of profits. BTW,
Powel was an attorney for Philip-Morris before Nixon put
him on the Supreme Court.

The robber barrons are back. T.Rump named his son
Barron.

[HRM Resident]

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/08/lewis-powell-memo-chamber-commerce.html

[Lucretia Borgia]

Post by James Warren

     I only was vaguely aware of the Powel memo until Mike
mentioned it earlier.  I then took the time to search it out
and read it in detail.  Most initially discarded it as a hare-
brained idea like many other documents that come and go.
     However, when it resurfaced in the 1990s, it is easy to see
how it has slowly infiltrated the US political system, with the
formation of right-wing super PACs, the takeover of the
Judicial Branch of the government, the slow rigging of the
voting system to favour Republicans, the deregulation of
most things that reduce profits, the destruction of unions,
and many other things.
     This culminated in the open buying of the recent election
by billionaires (Musk et. al.) and the total control of all
branches of government by large corporations.  This was
the goal of the Powel memorandum, and it has been
successful  - no more to be scoffed at as a fringe idea.
     Where this goes and how it ends is an open question.
For now, we have to accept that democracy is, at best,
on life support, if not dead, in the USA.  I suspect Canada
is not far behind as Alberta Conservative think tanks hone
their skills to embrace the same philosophy, having watched
it take place south of the border.

On the road to oligarchy.

Perhaps, since the USA and Canada are relatively 'young' countries, we
can view them as in their difficult teens and learning a lesson from
which they will in time revert.

[HRM Resident]

Post by Lucretia Borgia
Perhaps, since the USA and Canada are relatively 'young'
countries, we can view them as in their difficult teens and
learning a lesson from which they will in time revert.

I think not. It took the Roosevelts and WW I/Depression
to get rid of the 19th century robber barons. We have a
new crop of them. To wit:

1. **Jeff Bezos (Amazon)**: Noted for Amazon's market
dominance, aggressive tactics, and labor conditions in
warehouses.

2. **Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp)**: Influential across
multiple industries, with criticisms around labor practices
and control over social platforms.

3. **Mark Zuckerberg (Meta, formerly Facebook)**:
Accusations of anti-competitive behavior and influence
over public opinion and elections.

4. **Bill Gates (Microsoft)**: Faced past antitrust scrutiny
for monopolistic practices, now known for philanthropy.

5. **Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)**: Holds
significant sway over major economic sectors, sparking
comparisons to historical figures.