Memo to Michael Moore and Matt Taibbi: Capitalism Rules, Like it or NotRobert S. Beckerbyline‚ Oct. 27‚ 2009It’s hard not to like Michael Moore, our nation’s inspired, activist jester. What other unshaven, baseball-hatted, whistle-blowing filmmaker-entertainer elevates liberal consciousness while performing as media darling? What other bear-like, working class mensch amasses great wealth (but not arrogance) by mocking predatory industry and slavish governments? Likewise, admirable Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone leverages his brash, rebellious voice as journalist-watchdog, a knight errant who punctures the painful boils of today’s diseased capitalism. Even more astounding is how Moore and journalists now “frame” much of the left-wing critique of systemic failures. In great part, sustained prominence reflects far more financial independence from corporate octopi than mass media satirists Jon Stewart or GE-NBC employees Keith Olbermann. |