How corrupt is America now?

 Eric Zuesse discusses issues related to corruption in America's corporate and political systems. He shares a personal experience with Microsoft and highlights broader concerns about consumer rights, corporate practices, and government accountability.

1. Personal Experience with Microsoft:

• Zuesse spent hours trying to cancel his Skype subscription due to automated customer service obstacles.

• Microsoft’s support was entirely automated, leading to frustrations when trying to talk to a real person.

• The only option he received from his credit card service was to dispute the charge after it occurred, forcing him to consider changing his credit card to avoid future charges.

2. General Corporate Practices:

• He describes corporate behavior as increasingly robbing consumers with no accountability.

• Zuesse believes that it is now common for large corporations in the U. S. to engage in practices that defraud the public, a situation that has worsened due to the lack of enforcement of consumer fraud laws.

3. Political Accountability:

• Zuesse states that corruption is not limited to one political party; both Republicans and Democrats are viewed as serving the interests of billionaires rather than the public.

• He suggests that the difference between the two parties lies mainly in their rhetoric, with Democrats being more hypocritical about their affiliations with corporate interests.

4. Historical Context:

• The article observes that in the past, fewer corporations operated with such disregard for consumer rights, and there was more federal and state enforcement against fraud.

• The deterioration of consumer rights enforcement is a notable change over the last decade.

5. International Affairs and Media Corruption:

• Zuesse discusses the disparity in how media and governments portray terrorism and foreign policy, often ignoring deep-rooted issues like imperialism.

• He criticizes the U. S. press for being heavily censored and misleading, contributing further to the corruption narrative.

6. Government Spending and Public Desire:

• There is a disconnect between where the American public wants government funding to be cut versus where cuts are actually being made, with social programs suffering while military spending remains unaffected.

• This reflects a larger pattern of corruption and prioritization of corporate interests over public welfare.

Zuesse's reflections highlight a concerning trend in America where corporate and government actions prioritize profit and control over consumer rights and public accountability, portraying a nation struggling with corruption on multiple levels. He raises the alarm about the ongoing exploitation of citizens and questions the future of integrity in both corporate practices and political responsibilities.

https://ericzuesse.substack.com/p/how-corrupt-is-america-now