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March 15, 2005
Speaker lambasts big corporations
Two-time gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel spoke last Thursday night about the “cancer that is corporations” and how they affect the process of democracy.
“Growing up, my generation was led to believe that democracy was how many choices you had when you were shopping, the gross national product was the key to a good democracy,” he said to the crowd of 21 students. “And if you really wanted to, you could vote, but people are and were too busy buying stuff č who has the time to do the slow boring stuff?”
Pentel began by asking everyone in the crowd what their definition or sense of democracy was. One
audience member said, “equal representation,” and several others voiced similar sentiments. Pentel described his view of democracy as an evolving thing. To him, he said, the only static aspect of democracy is that it should always represent the people, but as he put it, the people are ever-changing. And, Pentel said, a good democracy is one that can effectively respond to these changes and serve as guidance to change.
“Democracy is the human č it is about us, not buildings and monuments. And democracy is the best way for us,” he said.
Although Pentel said he sees democracy as the best means toward representation, he believes some aspects of democracy have died in modern-day America. The main cause of this “death” is large corporations and current election practices.
Pentel said the current majority system used in voting doesn’t fully represent a voting community. He wants a system called “instant-runoff voting.” Here’s how it works: First, number one choices are counted.
If there is a clear majority, then that candidate wins. If there is not a clear majority, then the candidate with the least amount of number-one votes is eliminated. On these ballots, the number-two votes would be counted as their vote.
“This system would take the ugliness out of campaigns,” Pentel said. “Candidates would have to listen to their opponents, instead of attacking them on personal levels.”
The other problem with today’s democracy in America, he said, is corporations. He believes their lobbying powers are creating imbalances in representation. He also points at the consumer culture that Americans have.
Toward the end of his speech, Pentel called the audience to action.
“We need to surgically remove the cancer called corporations and learn how to help democracy be again.
I am in need of you as much as you all need me. We are in this together.” Pentel said. The audience responded throughout his speech with cheers and loud claps.
MPIRG also announced an upcoming event, called the Fair Trade Bazaar. Co-chairs Lindsay Stahl and
Andy Albjerg described the event as a laid-back event meant to make students aware of fair trade projects. The Black Sea and other fair trade vendors will be at the event. Three bands will play.
“There will be tons of literature on fair trade products, prices, food and music all with a clean conscious.” Stahl said. The Fair Trade Bazaar will be in the Kay Fredricks Room in the Klas Center on Wednesday, March 16.
Posted by msveum at March 15, 2005 01:35 PM
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