For all the caterwauling from the right and, stupifyingly, from the Obama Administration and Blue Dog left as well, here is the real reason the United States has the sizable deficit issues it does (well, in addition to the fact we will not tax even rich individuals appropriately either) – our biggest corporations pay no tax.

It’s a weird thing, this futurist scenario prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. While it recognizes the real threat of the rising neo-feudalist world, it seems more worried about whether the intelligence community will be able to exert the power it does today than about what it means for people more generally.

I believe that if the Senate health care bill passes as Joe Lieberman has demanded it — with no Medicare buy-in or public option — it will be a significant step further on our road to neo-feudalism. As such, I find it far too dangerous to our democracy to pass, even if it gives millions (perhaps unaffordable) subsidies for health care.