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Thom's blog
Small businesses vs. big corporations who can afford lobbyists
I am a somewhat typical “serial entrepreneur,” and fortunately, we have a lot of them in America. They are generally middle class people, they generally do not have an inheritance or family money to draw on, and yet they spend their lives pursuing the American Dream.
I have never relied on a Congressman or a government agency to do me a favor or bend the rules. I have never given campaign contributions to politicians in hopes of getting favors that would help my business. I have never hired a lobbyist to try to amend laws that would serve my financial interest. And this is generally true of all the hundreds of thousands of sole proprietors and partnerships and small businesses across America.
But that is not how big-time corporate America operates. To them, making large campaign contributions and spending millions of dollars each year on lobbyists is just another investment that pays off handsomely. Their motto (in behavior if not in fact) is: “You’ve got to pay to play,.”
But this flood of money and influence in our government makes for a decidedly uneven business playing field, as well as tainting and corrupting our government. Unfortunately, the trend is moving in the direction of allowing even more money to flood our politics, thanks to the Supreme Court. The absolutely necessary solution here is to bring honesty and transparency to our politics.
Learn more about my series of businesses and how to level the playing field in chapter six, "Make Congressmen Wear Nascar Patches" of " Rebooting the American Dream".
-Thom
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Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow urgently. Please help if you can. |
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 "If you're looking for something that connects the dots between the BP oil disaster, the harm it's done to the Gulf of Mexico and the people paying the price, this book is it. In a clear and compelling voice, it explains the worst environmental catastrophe of our time, then shows the way forward to protect this national treasure, safeguard our future and break our destructive addiction to oil." |
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The Daily Stack 
Quote: "All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent." -- John F. Kennedy.
Hour One: Need to know...does FOX News have blood on their hands and should they remove news from their name?
Plus, Labor Segment - How are Unions helping to keep kids engaged in the classroom? Thom talks with Dennis Van Roekel, President of the National Education Association.
Hour Two: Why are more people dying from inquality in America than in other industrialized nations? Thom talks with journalist T.R. Reid, author of the newly revised edition of "The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper and Fairer Health Care".
Plus, equality vs. inequality...free market health care or European style socialized medicine...which saves more lives? Thom challenges Sally Pipes, President/CEO of the Pacific Research Institute and author of the new book "The Truth About Obamacare".
Hour Three: Towns are now selling off your tax bills...what's next?!
"Arrested" by candidate Joe Miller's security guards: Tony Hopfinger, editor of Alaska Dispatch web site, Reporter Detained By Joe Miller's Security Guards.
Plus, is the first corporation to run for congress, Murray Hill Inc., supporting the best congress money can buy?! "Designated Human" Eric Hensal joins Thom with with the latest on the campaign.
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Coming up Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program
Hour Three: Why do conservatives want to stamp out the United States Postal Service? Who else can get a letter across the country for under a buck? Thom challenges Ted DeHaven of the CATO Institute about why we need to preserve the Commons...
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program... your media support group for we the people.
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Economic expectations hit rock bottom
"The outlook for Democrats in the November election is not looking so good for the party. One factor is the economy, with unemployment steadily remaining over 9 percent, and the Obama administration unable to turn things around. Some are calling it a cruel summer for Democrats. Radio host Thom Hartmann said republicans are playing hardball and they will do anything to destroy a Democratic president. He also explained that democracy itself wouldn’t be able to survive if the Tea Party were in charge."
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Show Info
Call Thom on the show at 1-866-987-THOM (8466) (0870 974 9686 from the UK, +1 503 796 2324 from outside the US or UK).
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