Listener mail for June 7th

Last week on the program, we took a look at the influence of money on politics. In Part One, Michael spoke to management guru Henry Mintzberg, who says our politics, economy and social policy have become dominated by the interests of the private sector. Meanwhile, governments shrink in size and influence, and the public interest goes unheeded. Professor Mintzberg's new book is called Rebalancing Society.   

This is from Janet Collins in Kingston, Ontario:

"Henry Mintzberg proves what I have thought for years, that far too many politicians are just leg-breakers for the corporate mob. And far too many corporate CEO's and upper management are so full of greed and the lust for power that they are more than a few sandwiches short of a picnic. But, as he says, we get the government we deserve."

This was posted by Susan, in Kelowna, B.C.:

 "I wish we could elect a government which would embrace Henry Mintzberg's points of concern. We would have a more balanced, healthy, peaceful and compassionate society. We can't rely on our elected politicians to have the academic knowledge of these thought leaders, but I believe we should be able to rely on them, to consult with intelligent, thoughtful leaders like Mr. Mintzberg. We should stop electing people and governments who fear and shun expertise and knowledge. This path has not served us well. Never trust a government that wants a less informed populace, and actively works to achieve a national dumbing-down."

John Fisher of Fishers' Loft Inn in Port Rexton, Newfoundland, posted this on our website:

"Sadly when the evils of big business are being excoriated, many of your listeners might think this applies to all business. Professor Mintzberg seems to have ignored the Small, Medium Enterprise sector. This sector, involving businesses that employ 50 or less, captures entrepreneurial ingenuity like no other. We generate 39% of Canada's GDP. Individually, we are without the resources or the desire to manipulate or dominate any of the social and economic arrangements in this or any country. We share Professor Mintzberg's concerns about unbridled corporatism. It's possible that small business is the antidote to the problem. We are economic pluralism personified." 

 In Part Two of our exploration of the influence of money on politics, Michael talked to Lisa Graves from the Centre for Media and Democracy in Madison, Wisconsin, about an organization called ALEC - The American Legislative Exchange Council. It's an alliance of elected politicians and corporate bigwigs, such as the Koch brothers, that has succeeded in changing legislation on everything from gun laws, to environmental protection, to the minimum wage.

This came from John Olsen in Parksville, B.C.:

 "I was greatly pleased to hear you discussing the depredations of ALEC, systematically laying further waste to democracy in the USA. One of the justifications its founders made for its existence, was the claim that ALEC could influence the national political agenda by working up from the state level. That strategy has allowed them to work around federal legislation while putting increasing pressure at the state level. You can find no better example of their influence, than the anti-union initiatives in states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. The more Prime Minister Harper aligns his policies with the Americans, the more we in Canada have a stake in the outcome of their journey into government of and for the corporations."
    

Michael's interview with Lisa Graves presented a very critical view of ALEC. Michael mentioned at the end of the conversation, that The Sunday Edition had offered to interview any senior staff member or anyone who sits on the Board of Directors of ALEC - and that they have yet to accept that offer.

From Susan Osterwoldt in Millet, Alberta:

"Is it any wonder that ALEC declined to be interviewed by you?  Honestly, the left-wing bias and sanctimonious superiority was fairly dripping out of the radio during your interview with the anti-ALEC person. You can see by my address that I live in that hot bed of the cause of all the world's troubles, apparently. While not directly affiliated with the oil sands, I can see the benefit of the resource to not only Alberta, not only Canada, but all of North America. Have you read any of the science disputing the view of climate change that the IPCC is trying so hard to cling to? For the record, I have a university degree, a science background. And you?"

And finally, from from Doug Green of Toronto:

"Thank you for these two hard-hitting and revelatory segments. With ALEC, Canadians need to know how the public/corporate balance gets secretly weighted against the public interest. We must recognize that a similar corporate agenda is behind most of the Harper Conservatives' legislation and omnibus bills. There is a direct connection to your previous excellent interview with Donald Gutstein about his book Harperism that spoke of the current government policy favouring the interests of the market over that of the public. Good luck with maintaining your journalistic independence on these important political issues."

Thank you, Doug Green, and thanks to everyone who wrote, posted, or tweeted. You can too. Our email address is thesundayedition@cbc.ca, or click here.

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