Topic: Corporatism

The modern use of the term "fascism" by the Biden administration is compared to its historical definition of "corporatism"—the merger of state and corporate power. A 1943 directive allegedly issued to U.S. communists is cited, which instructed members to label all opponents as "fascist" or "Nazi" to discredit them in the public mind through repetition.

A long-time producer and Ford employee shares his disappointment after the company removed the testing option for its vaccine mandate. Employees who had previously disclosed their vaccination status under the impression that testing would be an alternative now face termination. The hosts describe this as a betrayal of loyal workers by corporate HR departments.

A donor note introduces the concept of "communitarianism," an ideology that balances individual rights against the rights of the community. This theory is described as the foundation for many global regulations and sustainable development goals. It is characterized as a synthesis of socialism, capitalism, and corporatism that remains largely unknown to the general public.

An interview with Steve Pchenik regarding the 2015 FCC Net Neutrality rules sparked listener debate over whether the regulations were ever truly implemented. While the rules were published in the Federal Register in March 2015, their actual impact on internet service providers remains a point of contention. The logistics of the interview were facilitated by producer Tommy Garcia in Florida.

The ongoing tension with Russia is traced back to the nationalization of Gazprom and Russia's refusal to integrate into the globalist corporate system. The hosts argue that the West's hostility is driven by corporate interests, such as those represented by the TTIP, which seek to privatize public services. They note that Putin frequently criticizes "internationalist globalists" in his public addresses.

DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson's speech at the RSA Conference is analyzed, focusing on his call for a "partnership" between the government and the private sector. Johnson's admission of using an iPod is used to question his technical credibility. The segment characterizes the DHS's push for cybersecurity as a "money grab" and a move toward corporatism, noting the revolving door between government and antivirus companies like McAfee.

NSA Director Keith Alexander thanks "industry partners" for their help in connecting dots to prevent terrorist attacks. The hosts interpret this as an admission of corporatism, which they define as a core component of fascism. They speculate that these partners include major tech firms like Facebook and Google.

Bill Gates expressed a desire for a more "dictatorial" US presidency to avoid legislative deadlocks. Meanwhile, the Federal Register shows $100 million loans from the Export-Import Bank to Boeing and General Electric to support exports to Indonesia and the UAE, which the hosts characterize as unnecessary corporate welfare.

A discussion with artist and former tech executive Lori Frick touches on the inevitability of an economic collapse. The hosts argue for "ripping the band-aid off" rather than sustaining the current system of SIFIs and government partnerships. They define the current state of US corporatism as a form of fascism where regulators have an incentive to rescue failing entities to hide their own failures.

Ralph Nader is featured in a clip discussing "corporate welfare" and the collusion between giant corporations and the government. He argues that both parties support subsidies and bailouts that undermine market discipline. The hosts equate this "corporatism" with the classic definition of fascism, where the state and corporate interests become indistinguishable.

Listeners from Tokyo, Oakland, and Berkeley provide feedback on how the "No Agenda Karma" has affected their lives, including landing new jobs. One listener reports a "Lucifer" look-alike character on the TV show Leverage in Japan who referenced Gitmo and "docile slaves."

The hosts read the roster of the President's Advisory Council on Jobs and the Economy, noting the heavy presence of CEOs from companies like Intel, Comcast, and Facebook. They define this alliance between government and major corporations as modern corporatism or "intellectual fascism." The segment argues that these appointments prioritize corporate profits over public interest.

WikiLeaks cables suggest Secretary of State Hillary Clinton directed agents to obtain credit card numbers and biometric data of foreign diplomats. The discussion also covers how the U.S. government acts as a shill for American credit card companies in negotiations with Russia. The hosts characterize this as blatant corporatism.

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), also known as the "card check" bill, is discussed as a move to eliminate secret ballots in union voting. The hosts compare this legislative trend to the themes in Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged," arguing that it represents a shift toward corporatism or fascism by allowing government and unions to dictate business operations.

Actor Jackie Chan sparked controversy by suggesting that Chinese people need to be controlled for the sake of stability. The hosts compare this sentiment to the governance of Singapore, which they describe as a functional fascist state where corporatism thrives. They discuss Singapore's strict laws, including fines for jaywalking and the ban on selling chewing gum.

The discussion touches on the definition of fascism as the merger of state and corporate power, citing the government's intervention in General Motors. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann has raised alarms about legislation proposing mandatory service camps for youth. The hosts argue that Bachmann is facing unfair media characterization and sexual discrimination for her stance.

President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board is scrutinized for its heavy inclusion of corporate CEOs and venture capitalists. Named members include Jeffrey Immelt of GE, John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins, and Charles Phillips of Oracle. The hosts characterize this alliance between government and major corporations as a move toward corporatism or fascism.

The current financial crisis is compared to a financial 9/11 as the stock market approaches a perceived bottom near 10,000. Discussion centers on the definition of a fascist state, specifically the collusion between corporations and government, often referred to as corporatism. The temporary ban on short selling financials is noted as a factor propping up the market until its expiration on October 2nd.