Mr. Krugman, tell the court why the rich and corporations, by their behavior, are a threat to democracy
Mr. Krugman: “Rule of law depends not just on what is written down, but also on the behavior of those who interpret and enforce that rule. If these people don’t regard themselves as servants of the law first, partisans second, if they don’t subordinate their political goals to their duty to preserve the system, laws become meaningless and only power matters.
”And what we’re seeing..for years..is an invasion of our institutions by right-wing partisans whose loyalty is to party, not principle. this invasion is corroding the Republic..[is]..very far advanced.
”..the Republican Party is dominated by “movement conservatives,” a monolithic structure held together by big money – often deployed stealthily – and the closed intellectual system of Fox News and other partisan media…
”..it’s not just the courts..a growing number of positions in government agencies are being occupied by right-wing partisans who care nothing for, or actively oppose, their agencies’ missions….
”..when the public rejects their agenda..they use their power to overrule the democratic process..they rig the voting process..they strip offices Democrats win of power..When Democratic policies prevail despite all that, they us apparatchik-stuffed courts to strike down legislation on the flimsiest grounds…
”..but the game in question isn’t just about perpetuating the assault on health care, it’s about assaulting democracy in general. And the current state of the end game is probably just the beginning; the worst, I fear is yet to come.”
Mr. Krugman: “Modern U.S. conservatism is largely about the sanctification of selfishness – the argument that unrestrained self-interest is the key to prosperity and happiness. Right-wingers get angry at any suggestion that they might need to make some sacrifice to protect others.”
Mr. Krugman: “The skewing of America – the shift of a growing share of income to a small elite – was already clearly visible by the late 1980s..Not only did it mean..ordinary families were failing to share in economic progress, it meant a loss of our sense of living in a shared society..there was a sort of inequality-denial industry – more than a bit like the climate-denial industry..”
Mr. Krugman: “U.S. Census Bureau numbers on “distribution of Income Gains” for 1947-1989 show a “broad-based prosperity.” C.B.O. numbers for 1977-1989 show that top 1% families income doubled. Growth in productivity was siphoned off to the high-income brackets.”
Mr. Krugman: ”The modern Republican Party..is best seen as just one part of a highly organized movement that includes the Murdoch media empire, a dizzying array of think tanks and advocacy groups that are funded [mostly] by the same group of billionaires, and more…”movement conservatism”..didn’t fully take over the GOP until the 1990s. But now it’s the only kind of conservatism that matters – and it’s the driving force behind America’s deep political polarization.”
Mr. Krugman: “In return for this service {serving top 1% interests] business and the wealthy provided both lavish financial support for right-minded..politicians and a safety net – “wing-nut welfare” – for loyalists..comfortable berths waiting for those who left office..lobbying jobs..commentator jobs at Fox News and elsewhere..”research” positions..”
“..we’re dealing with the second generation of Fox News conservatives,” who grew up entirely inside the right-wing bubble and don’t understand how people outside the bubble talk, think, and behave.”
Mr. Krugman: “..large economic players are dominating more and more..monopsony power is depressing wages..Concentration of hiring among a few firms, plus things like noncompete clauses and tacit collusion..reinforce their market power, don’t just reduce your wages..They also reduce or eliminate your options if you’re mistreated; quit because you have an abusive boss..”
With Justice For All 