MEDIA ROOTS — As big banks inject record amounts of cash into lobbying this year, largely aimed at access to financial regulators, Wells Fargo, in particular, stands out because of its added rapacious dimension of investments in for-profit prisons and immigrant detention centres. Certainly, legal wrangling over deportation policies is politicised. Yet, whereas pre-9/11, undocumented immigrants were summarily deported to … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS — When Naomi Klein’s seminal book The Shock Doctrine hit the scene, the U.S. political Left was forced to look beyond simply complaining about conservatives or Washington corruption and was stimulated to pay closer attention to the actions of Wall Street and the world of economics. With the introduction of concepts, such as economic hitmen and disaster capitalism, … Read More
DISINFO– Wondering how much it costs to buy off the police department? In June of 2011, JP Morgan Chase gave the New York City Police Foundation the largest donation in its history. How the police show their gratitude will presumably determine whether they receive similar donations from companies in the future. Via Naked Capitalism: No matter how you look at this … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS- It’s not very comforting to know that Wall Street lobbyists have been paying off members of the very committee in charge of finding $1.5 trillion worth of deficit measures. Can’t count much on “shared sacrifice” from the banks with bribery like this taking place on the hill. Abby *** TRUTHOUT– Wall Street has given $41 million in campaign contributions … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS- Usually the revolving door between politicians and their corporate profiteering is shielded from the public, and takes a bit of investigative digging to expose. Often times, politicians will invest millions in blind trusts to mask their investments in companies that would reveal an obvious conflict of interest tied to their legislative work. However, Congressman Issa has set a … Read More
