Dean Calls For New Controls on Business ( Seeks 'Re-Regulation' )

[papau]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59183-2003Nov18.html

Dean Calls For New Controls on Business
Democrat Seeks 'Re-Regulation'
By Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 19, 2003; Page A09


HOUSTON, Nov. 18 -- After years of government deregulation of energy markets, telecommunications, the airlines and other major industries, Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is proposing a significant reversal: a comprehensive "re-regulation" of U.S. businesses. <snip>

"In order to make capitalism work for ordinary human beings, you have to have regulation," Dean said. "Right now, workers are getting screwed." <Snip>

Dean has excited core Democratic voters with a relentless assault on corporations and the rich, and he is moving quickly to stake a position as the candidate with the boldest plans for tempering the influence and power of U.S. businesses. If the economy continues to rebound, Democratic strategists say, Dean's proposal may offer a way for the party to frame the debate over jobs, income and fairness.

Dean said in the interview that "re-regulation" is a key tool for restoring trust. In doing so, he drew a sharp distinction with Bush, an outspoken advocate of free markets who wants to further deregulate media companies and other key sectors of the economy.<snip>


Dean, who talked at length about the historical ebb and flow of regulation, said there is a "danger" to pushing his re-regulation movement too far. But under Bush, "deregulation has increased the corporate power enormously," he said. <snip>

[walkon]

1. Amen

Re-regulation of business. Corporations should not be allowed to contribute to political candidates or issues. End corporate "citizenship" rights.

[blm]

2. HAHA. Dean the Deregulator now selling himself as Dean the Reregulator?

What a crock to get the primary vote of those who won't bother to learn his REAL record.

Here's high praise of Dean from those who LOVED his deregulating principles, the CATO Institute:

The Appeal of Howard Dean
From the September 15, 2003 issue: Why he could be Bush's more dangerous opponent.
by Stephen Moore
09/15/2003, Volume 009, Issue 01

SEVERAL YEARS AGO an obscure Democratic governor from the politically inconsequential state of Vermont was the guest speaker at a Cato Institute lunch. His name was Howard Dean. He had been awarded one of the highest grades among all Democrats (and a better grade than at least half of the Republicans) in the annual Cato Fiscal Report Card on the Governors. We were curious about his views because we had heard that he harbored political ambitions beyond the governorship.

Dean charmed nearly everyone in the boardroom. He came across as erudite, policy savvy, and, believe it or not, a friend of free markets--at least by the standards of the Tom Daschle-Dick Gephardt axis of the Democratic party. Even when challenged on issues like environmentalism, where he favored a large centralized mass of intrusive regulations, Dean remained affable.

"You folks at Cato," he told us, "should really like my views because I'm economically conservative and socially laissez-faire." Then he continued: "Believe me, I'm no big-government liberal. I believe in balanced budgets, markets, and deregulation. Look at my record in Vermont." He was scathing in his indictment of the "hyper-enthusiasm for taxes" among Democrats in Washington.

He left--and I will never forget the nearly hypnotic reaction. The charismatic doctor had made believers of several hardened cynics. Nearly everyone agreed that we had finally found a Democrat we could work with. Since then, I've watched Dean's career with more than a little interest and we chat from time to time on the phone.

>>>>>>>

But he weathered the storm. Dean is nothing if not a survivor--as well as an iconoclast. Even as he pursued wild-eyed social experiments, Dean carefully nurtured a reputation as a "business-friendly" governor. On numerous occasions he pragmatically swept aside onerous environmental regulations and last-use restrictions (this is the greenest state of all) to make room for business expansion and jobs, jobs, jobs. He supported electricity deregulation to take monopolistic pricing power away from big utilities. He even launched one of the nation's most progressive voucher programs for high school students.
>>>>>>>

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/073ylkiz.asp

[walkon]

4. More from that stupid article

What was your point?

Indeed, Dean has taken many positions that should make life easy for the Republicans' opposition research team. As governor, he supported and successfully enacted a whole menu of dimwitted liberal causes: a state-funded universal health care system (which as president he would take nationwide), government-subsidized child care (even for the rich), a higher minimum wage, a mega-generous prescription drug benefit for seniors with incomes up to four times the poverty level, one of the nation's most liberal mandatory family-leave laws, and taxpayer-funded campaigns. It's no wonder the "Almanac of American Politics" calls Dean "one of the four or five most liberal governors in America."

eom

[Zorra]

3. Dean just got me.

I'm a Kucinich supporter, and think Dennis has the best platform for fixing America. But Dean just became my second choice. If Kucinich drops out of the race, or is at 2% in the Polls at primary time, Dean gets my vote, and full on overdrive support if he is nominated.

Regulating big business and big media is primary to fixing what is wrong with our country.

:bounce::bounce::bounce:bounce:

[OneBlueSky]

5. I've been waiting for someone to say this . . .

Dean just jumped a notch in my book . . . re-regulation of big business is desparetely needed, and anyone advocating that approach is someone I could support . . . still have my doubts about his electability, but this helps . . .

[cprise]

6. I feel the same way

Dean has defected from the DLC camp and realizes that government plays an invaluable role in the economy. Capitalism can't succeed without a good measure of public accountability!

[ramapo]

7. Bush = Free Market?

Here is the corporate media hard at work shilling for their boy George.

The concept that Bush is for the free market is such a joke. Look at the enormous pay outs to the energy, agriculture, and drug industry (just check out the prescription durg plan).

Republican free market philosophy is all about consolidating power at the corporate level. Then they are "free" to obliterate competition.
Microsoft is my prime example. The media is coming a close second.