As Colin Powell assumed the responsibilities of leading the remnants of America's military in a defense against a possible threat from North Korea, members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. were able to resume their routine daily activities. At 4:55 P.M. EST on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - four weeks after they'd blown up much of America - the group was ready to introduce its nineteenth non-binding resolution, to be put to a popular vote before being forwarded through a legislative process that could turn the resolution into law. A primary purpose of the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. outrage was to eradicate the elite, powerful, wealthy and influential people thought to have helped put a two-party stranglehold on America's political system. It had gone on for too long; nothing short of annihilation would suffice. It was time to return the United States of America to its proper owners: "we the people..." and - while many would disagree - this band of renegades believed it to be the final solution.
A slightly-built, almost sickly-looking older gentleman approached the cameras shortly after the videoconference had begun. "My name is Paul," he announced calmly, "and I am here to introduce the next resolution." He put on a small pair of glasses and began reading:
ARTICLE XIX. RESOLUTION: NATIONALIZE ALL PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WITH GROSS INCOMES OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION
"The American consumer has been hog-tied by big business. WalMart comes to town and forces small business out of business. Multi-national corporations gouge consumers on everything from the price of food to the cost of a gallon of gasoline, all in the name of enhanced profitability. We believe big business also owes a great debt to society; big businesses must learn to become good stewards of the communities they serve. Multi-million-dollar profits must be diverted for purposes other than making handfuls of shareholders and top executives extremely wealthy. To be a good corporate citizen in the future of our United States will require that businesses make massive financial commitments to the improvement of America's infrastructures, the general well-being of those less-privileged in our society, and the moral, social, and military stability of our country. Should this resolution be passed into federal law, any business that manufactures, distributes, or sells goods and services in the United States must be registered as a legal U.S. corporation without "subsidiaries" or other such "shell companies" located in other countries or offshore islands. Subject to new bi-laws and revised regulatory edification, the Securities & Exchange Commission will be charged with supervision of all corporate financial activities, and - in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service - will appropriately assess and tax corporate profits to the maximum allowed by new federal laws. While we certainly believe that capitalism is good for this country, and 'profit' is definitely not a four-letter word, we also believe that the hubris, avarice, and pure selfishness of corporate America has over-extended its bounds. It is time to put restrictions on such corporate greed, a popular and vocal American complaint that has escalated immensely over these past ten or fifteen years as chief executive officers raid corporate coffers with no regard for the consequences of the companies they lead, or the people with whom they work to make those companies profitable. We want this to be clear: critics will see this as socialism; we are not trying to limit the earnings potential of any public corporation. We are, however, demanding that excessive profits be shared for the betterment of all U.S. citizens and our country. There is no reason why one man should have a net worth of twenty billion dollars and another man has a net worth of twenty dollars.
We live in perhaps the wealthiest nation on Earth; a more fair, equitable and reasonable distribution of that wealth should be something that everyone desires. "Greed" is one of the seven deadliest sins; we believe it is necessary to change the minds of those who are among the greediest, and show them how their miserly behavior is wrong and unjust. We believe it is possible to turn such rapacity into reverence; to enlighten these people as to the realistic rewards of generosity and sharing. America was founded on principles for and of the people. Our Constitution says nothing about "We the Corporations..." or "We the Profit-mongers..." Fair and reasonable profits are acceptable...excessive profits, particular at the expense of the people, are contemptible. Large corporations will be expected to operate under the laws of the United States, and will be subject to federal dismantling should they not comply with all regulatory and legal provisions of this country. In the long-term, large corporations will see the value of such philanthropic endeavors and will come to embrace their participation. Part of our overall plan was to remove many of our country's most vociferous and blatant citizens, people whose personal wealth and power did not 'trickle down' to the common community (Ronald Reagan's 'trickle-down economics' failed everyone except the wealthy; this resolution is designed to allow a 'trickle-down' affect to actually have impact). A panel will be appointed to actually develop the formal language for this resolution; at this time your vote will only serve as a signal that you, indeed, favor such possible legislation. This panel will be a committee comprised of 'common' citizens who have no ulterior motives or hidden agendas in trying to slant this legislation in favor of big business. Is this a bias? Of course, it is....but it's biased on the side of "the people..." Nowhere in our Constitutions do corporations have the right to vote. They have done so over these past decades by influencing too many political decisions with the power of their pocketbooks. From now on, the priority will be the 'people' of this great country, NOT the 'powerful'. To take away the power, you have to take away the money. It is our opinion that this resolution is a solid start in that direction. Please vote now with the portable voting devices available to you. Your support for this resolution is appreciated. Thank you."
Paul tucked his eyeglasses back into his vest pocket, then walked away from the camera. Members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. milled around the vast room, talking among themselves. Meanwhile, Colin Powell had convened a meeting of top military advisors, commanders, and consultants in an underground conference room at the Pentagon. While the unusually-shaped building had been destroyed by bombs, much of its apparatus and operations continued in these catacombs, which most U.S. citizens were unaware existed. By 8:09 Thursday evening, the videoscreens across America went black; viewers would have to wait until tomorrow at 4:55 P.M. EST for another picture of how dramatically the country was beginning to accept what had happened, and how people were adapting to the changes being proposed.
A slightly-built, almost sickly-looking older gentleman approached the cameras shortly after the videoconference had begun. "My name is Paul," he announced calmly, "and I am here to introduce the next resolution." He put on a small pair of glasses and began reading:
ARTICLE XIX. RESOLUTION: NATIONALIZE ALL PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WITH GROSS INCOMES OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION
"The American consumer has been hog-tied by big business. WalMart comes to town and forces small business out of business. Multi-national corporations gouge consumers on everything from the price of food to the cost of a gallon of gasoline, all in the name of enhanced profitability. We believe big business also owes a great debt to society; big businesses must learn to become good stewards of the communities they serve. Multi-million-dollar profits must be diverted for purposes other than making handfuls of shareholders and top executives extremely wealthy. To be a good corporate citizen in the future of our United States will require that businesses make massive financial commitments to the improvement of America's infrastructures, the general well-being of those less-privileged in our society, and the moral, social, and military stability of our country. Should this resolution be passed into federal law, any business that manufactures, distributes, or sells goods and services in the United States must be registered as a legal U.S. corporation without "subsidiaries" or other such "shell companies" located in other countries or offshore islands. Subject to new bi-laws and revised regulatory edification, the Securities & Exchange Commission will be charged with supervision of all corporate financial activities, and - in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service - will appropriately assess and tax corporate profits to the maximum allowed by new federal laws. While we certainly believe that capitalism is good for this country, and 'profit' is definitely not a four-letter word, we also believe that the hubris, avarice, and pure selfishness of corporate America has over-extended its bounds. It is time to put restrictions on such corporate greed, a popular and vocal American complaint that has escalated immensely over these past ten or fifteen years as chief executive officers raid corporate coffers with no regard for the consequences of the companies they lead, or the people with whom they work to make those companies profitable. We want this to be clear: critics will see this as socialism; we are not trying to limit the earnings potential of any public corporation. We are, however, demanding that excessive profits be shared for the betterment of all U.S. citizens and our country. There is no reason why one man should have a net worth of twenty billion dollars and another man has a net worth of twenty dollars.
We live in perhaps the wealthiest nation on Earth; a more fair, equitable and reasonable distribution of that wealth should be something that everyone desires. "Greed" is one of the seven deadliest sins; we believe it is necessary to change the minds of those who are among the greediest, and show them how their miserly behavior is wrong and unjust. We believe it is possible to turn such rapacity into reverence; to enlighten these people as to the realistic rewards of generosity and sharing. America was founded on principles for and of the people. Our Constitution says nothing about "We the Corporations..." or "We the Profit-mongers..." Fair and reasonable profits are acceptable...excessive profits, particular at the expense of the people, are contemptible. Large corporations will be expected to operate under the laws of the United States, and will be subject to federal dismantling should they not comply with all regulatory and legal provisions of this country. In the long-term, large corporations will see the value of such philanthropic endeavors and will come to embrace their participation. Part of our overall plan was to remove many of our country's most vociferous and blatant citizens, people whose personal wealth and power did not 'trickle down' to the common community (Ronald Reagan's 'trickle-down economics' failed everyone except the wealthy; this resolution is designed to allow a 'trickle-down' affect to actually have impact). A panel will be appointed to actually develop the formal language for this resolution; at this time your vote will only serve as a signal that you, indeed, favor such possible legislation. This panel will be a committee comprised of 'common' citizens who have no ulterior motives or hidden agendas in trying to slant this legislation in favor of big business. Is this a bias? Of course, it is....but it's biased on the side of "the people..." Nowhere in our Constitutions do corporations have the right to vote. They have done so over these past decades by influencing too many political decisions with the power of their pocketbooks. From now on, the priority will be the 'people' of this great country, NOT the 'powerful'. To take away the power, you have to take away the money. It is our opinion that this resolution is a solid start in that direction. Please vote now with the portable voting devices available to you. Your support for this resolution is appreciated. Thank you."
Paul tucked his eyeglasses back into his vest pocket, then walked away from the camera. Members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. milled around the vast room, talking among themselves. Meanwhile, Colin Powell had convened a meeting of top military advisors, commanders, and consultants in an underground conference room at the Pentagon. While the unusually-shaped building had been destroyed by bombs, much of its apparatus and operations continued in these catacombs, which most U.S. citizens were unaware existed. By 8:09 Thursday evening, the videoscreens across America went black; viewers would have to wait until tomorrow at 4:55 P.M. EST for another picture of how dramatically the country was beginning to accept what had happened, and how people were adapting to the changes being proposed.
posted by Bushwacker! at 9:25 AM
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