The Big Bad Corporations [Jay Nordlinger]
We seldom talk frankly about the Democratic party and economics — and that includes conservatives. I think we are perpetually afraid of the McCarthyism charge. But some are unafraid, of course — like Phil Gramm, who says that the Democrats have been functionally socialist for a long time.
I thought of this when reading about Barack Obama’s new ad. It blasts away at corporations, even as it does the Republican nominee: “John McCain’s tax plan: For big corporations — $200 billion in new tax breaks. Oil companies — $4 billion.” And so on.
Bill Clinton was supposed to have gotten rid of this in the Democratic party, or at least lessened it. I’m not sure he did. Democrats seem unaware that “big corporations” — including oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies — are people. And that these corporations are also indispensable to our free, thriving society.
From whom are we supposed to get our oil, pharmaceuticals, and insurance? Ralph Nader? Nancy Pelosi? Molly Yard?
Moreover, these corporations are employers. I ask another question: From whom are people supposed to get their jobs? The Obamas? As the great John Derbyshire says, we can only use so many “community organizers” and “diversity-enforcement officers.”
Talking about herself and her husband, Michelle said not long ago, “We left corporate America, which is a lot of what we’re asking young people to do. Don’t go into corporate America.” That is not so much disgusting as it is pathetic and ignorant. Look, I grew up with the same left-wing clichés. It’s just that some of us grew out of them, where, with others, they stuck.
Once upon a time, Bill Buckley liked to debate whether businesses should be taxed at all. When we get back to that debate — rather than jawing about tax cuts and increases — it will be a more sensible economic time in America.
And a quick P.S.: If you’re wondering whether I know that John McCain is not immune to BS populism — I do. Believe me.
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