Corporate Psychopathy

[LordBifford]

I think politicians are less likely than CEOs to be psychopaths, because they are under too much scrutiny. We're not talking about little office gossip rings. We're talking about large, well-funded and methodical efforts by the media and rivals to dig up any dirt they can on a politician. Psychopaths have poor self-control, and thus tend to have too many skeletons in their closet to hide. No amount of brilliant bullshitting can prevent them from eventually being discovered.

[srdtpa]

@LordBifford This is not necessarily true. Poor self-control may be present only in psychopaths who were arrested. PCL-R was developed with offender populations. Prisoners who are not psychopaths also show poor self-control... Perhaps there is an entire kind of psychopaths that do not technically break the law, are tolerated by society, but do not feel empathy and remorse.

[srdtpa]

politics attracts white-collar psychopaths worldwide.

[zthetha]

Great stuff! As a Brit I have been appalled at the obscene corruption in all areas of US government. Perhaps it's easier to see when you're not stuck in the middle of it. Cautionary note: American courts have the stars and stripes flag edged in gold. Do you realize what this signifies? It's called the Law of the Flag - a mercantile, maritime maneuver that puts the courts in private hands and, I believe, outside the jurisdiction of the USA.

[edwardsson777]

As the video "freedom from conscience - psychopaths" makes clear, the trais that are associated with psychopaths for some reason are popular with the masses. It is as if everyone wants to be seduced by these people.

[ladybluluv]

Oh yeah, it runs rampant there in the corporate world

[TheeUnidentified]

"The enormous gap between what US leaders do in the world and what Americans think their leaders are doing is one of the great propaganda accomplishments of the dominant political mythology." - Michael Parenti

[carolscabinas]

your right but unfortunately you are talking to a pack of sheep morons called the public and they just facilitate this and and send their kids to war to die for them so the public has no conscience even when it concerns the death of their children. I hear you but 99 percent of the public will murder their loved ones. what to do my friend???.  the democrats are the same psychos and you are duped too!! hellooo

[90talisten]

@carolscabinas

Not much, avoid politics. Try to avoid the lies these psychos are spreading to the public

[90talisten]

Psychopaths are owners of America, those rich cocksuckers use Obama as an mask. U.S.A is truning into an facist country. And majority of americans are fucking retarded to see it. im not even in usa or an american and i can see that.

[thesparitan]

I like this guy.

[catwatters4]

Everything is the OPPOSITE of what they claim it's supposed to be!!

We helped to create these Psychopaths! We donated our power,, We contributed,,, over and over to their "cause",, WE created the Imbalance,, rather than giving and Saving,,Emotionally for ourselves and families

[catwatters4]

Everything is the OPPOSITE of what they claim it's supposed to be!!

[1chichimec1]

AT LEAST HE TALKS GOOD!

[nuggert]

Who cares about the health system?

In the perspective of a politician.. , Overpopulation is a real top priority problem, people dying off is a good thing

[WarmongerWW3]

@nuggert Yes.

[2MixFix]

Thank you for being a beacon of truth and light in an increasingly effed-up world, Thom. I've lost count of the number of times you've put my long-held feelings on our economy/government/political system into words. You are a wonderful alternative (or, perhaps, antidote) to the insidious Reich-Wing noise machine.

[anthonyjperri]

You said what I have been thinking for a long time! We are living in a sociopathic society. Pop culture encourages and fosters sociopathic behavior. Each generation is more and more demoralized. I need to get myself formally educated and figure out a way to combat this and get people together before it's to late. My mother and grandfather are sociopaths; you have to stay sharp as a razor blade to take a sociopath head on. Remember ALWAYS TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS and never let anyone distort you.

[pathscorp]

Tom,

You need to check out my site if you want to help create jobs.

Citizens need a corporation that works for them.

We have what america needs. Type "pathscorp" in the youtube search box.

I will try to call your radio show to talk about our green projects, when I get the chance.

Thanks

CEO Paths Corporation

What path are you on?

[Billybib1]

I'm confused...face it...corporations are criminals yes...Government is corrupt....there is no way to fix it. Animal Farm by George Orwell says it all. Destroy regroup and try again until it gets out of whack "again" then repeat the process. This world is sick and twisted, makes me want to puke.

[Zhawq]

@Billybib1 ... What Orwell writes is true, but as a tendency. Unless we do the "destroy and regroup" we can in fact get wiped out as a species and as a live planet.

Life is cyclic, and there will be highs and lows in any era and/or culture. But it's up to "us" now: Will we let a few rotten apples kill us completely, or will we do what is necessary?

What Psycopathy really is, or if they're to blame for everything, is another discussion. But in my eyes we're just as guilty as they are!

[LordBifford]

@Billybib1 Come on, civilization has been improving over time. We're no longer in the middle ages. Democracy is spreading, crime is falling, we live longer, etc. You actually want to bring us back to the Dark Ages?

[luvcheney1]

Thom is silly. Garbage collection is important too. You dont pick up the garbage, we die of bubonic plague. The pay of a garbageman, a childcare worker has NOTHING to do with the value of the task. It has everything to do with the supply of people competent enough to diaper a baby, or throw trash in a truck. The supply of MBA`s, or Surgeons, Michael Jordan`s is smaller than the supply of guys who throw trash in a truck, diaper changers, etc.

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

I agree with ".. Not a republican in the white house..", but no way should democrats ever win as a party again. We need the green party and independents in the white house, and keep putting them in office no matter how may times they get assassinated.

[luvcheney1]

Seems you think Dems are too conservative. I think Reps are too liberal. But, I vote for Reps because they are closer to my beliefs, not because they believe as I. It seems to me so easy to just rant against everyone, and not choose a side.

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

I don't think either side is working for the people. You must see that they have a monopoly on the political process. If an idea isn't good for the dems and its not good for the reps, it will never be considered, regardless of being good for the people. How do you feel about whips (Eric Cantor for the republicans). Their purpose is to focus elected officials in voting in the best interests of the party, above the interests of the people that elected them.

[luvcheney1]

Before I think, and reply later, let me just say I am amazed right now. This is the first time a Lib on a Thom Hartman site has not called me names, been rude, or vile.

[luvcheney1]

If I understand you, you see the govt standing with the corporations against the people? I see the people and the corps on the same side, with the govt against us. Bad conditions for corporations, are bad for people. When a govt puts high regulatory burdens on business, high taxes on business, supports a legal system with confiscatory lawsuit awards against business, etc, this is not good for people. Any cost a business has, is taken from the customers. Keep jobs here, lower business costs!

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

I see the govt's sole purpose is to stand with the people. They're suppose to be a representative of the collective will. That representation has been purchased by the top 1% (who also own most of the corporations). Any idea that is positive for the 99% and negative for the 1% is not implemented. Dems and republicans are paid to agree.

Shouldn't the wonders of the free market work for you as a voter? Shouldn't you have a choice? Shouldn't there be competition for your vote?

[luvcheney1]

The govt should stand for laws that protect the freedom of the people to engage in voluntary transactions with whoever they choose to, at a mutually agreeable price. That price is the market price, the point of equilibrium. Are you saying that if 99% of the people do not like free exchange, the govt can actually override market forces with a positive result?

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

My point is, regardless of our opposed economic positions neither of us are getting represented. You said "[Its] so easy to just rant against everyone, and not choose a side. ", After admitting that the republicans are not your ideal party since they are not conservative enough. Competition for your vote is severely limited having only two sides to choose from. Don't we agree: Free Market = Perfect Completion (not=) Monopoly ? Isn't a two party system is comparable to a Monopoly market?

[luvcheney1]

Free Market = Perfect Completion?? Before I exert the few brains cells I have left, do you mean competition, not completion? Consider that we have a political system, and an economic system. For example, democracy with socialism, democracy with capitalism, Monarchy with capitalism, dictatorship with socialism, dictatorship with capitalism, etc etc etc. China was dictatorship with communism, now is dictatorship with some capitalism.

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

sorry I replied late at night. I meant Perfect Competition ( a market state with many producers and many consumers, a market state where consumers are free to choose from many suppliers). When people say free market they mean Perfect Competition. At the very least they are talking about conditions that lead to Perfect Competition i.e. removing barriers to entry, etc. Isn't only having two parties to choose from comparable to having a monopoly in the market place?

[luvcheney1]

I see your point. Reality is though, that Obama`s election HAS moved the country farther in the direction of bigger govt. (gained control of both houses too). Example, McCain wanted HealthCare reform, proposed a tax credit (suppose $4000) that would offset cost of buying insurance. ObamaCare is certainly much more intrusive than that. Do I like either? No, they both are socialist, but I dislike McCain`s less.

[luvcheney1]

I think I understand now. I see one party obviously more in support of free market, capitalist solutions. One party wanting less government than the other. It is not 100%, both parties are way into having the govt into areas never dreamed of when the Constitution was written, but one side less. The choice is simply, more govt, or less? Freedom to engage in voluntary transactions, or not.

[GorgonLuvs8008135]

Google video: "the corporation" is a film the explores the concept of applying physiology to corporations.

[luvcheney1]

Before the Fed, booms and busts were quicker, returning to normal before going too far. Busts frighten everyone, so they save more, buy less The increased savings "pool" lowers interest rates(more supply). When the cycle turns(as always) fear subsides, everyone begins to save less, spend more. A smaller "pool" of savings and greater spending send interest rates up. No need for the FED! Govt wants the FED prolong the boom, stimulating it to continue beyond normal. The fall is then larger.

[luvcheney1]

Thom, the massive bubble in the price of homes, occurred because of "easy money, low interest policy" of the FED. Increasing prices for homes, mortgages possible only because of increasing credit. The Federal Reserve controls interest rates by loosening and tightening the money supply. The bubble of credit burst, and banks collapsed because the homes fell in value, wiping out the asset value of the mortgages. Blame the Fed. Homeowners, the unemployed, Banks wrecked by the FEDS.

[jimlaregina]

"Not being George Bush" counts? What has this country come to be when we are thankful the president is not a nutcase?

[quack10]

We have become a country that lived through a President as bad as George Bush. It's that simple. It is sad. But true.

[luvcheney1]

quack, hope we live through this one.

[quack10]

Me too, luv. Me too.

[cmatrix1]

Thom doesn't get the psychology exactly right but he has the main idea. Psychopathy, sociopathy and narcissism are similar but different personality disorders. Psychopaths are not "mentally ill" in any way but cause most mental illness in others. Read "Snakes in Suits" to understand this disorder fully. We all need to understand these massively destructive parasites to prevent them from manipulating us.

[jimgauth]

End poverty, crime, and war by eliminating monetarism and create a resource-based economy.

[mrgoodvibrations]

After the beginning babbling, this is the best show I have watched by Thom! Great job getting out the real news on the bankster scams and real value.

[PsychoticusRex]

With all the computer voting you expect your vote to count?

How's that "holding their feet to the fire" that you championed going for you?

When dealing with monsters perhaps you shouldn't base your plans on their good behaviour?

[PsychoticusRex]

Thom flubs this one: Psychopathy is a temporary (ostensibly) state of mind experienced during trauma that limits psychology to those prerogatives of survival. Sociopathy is a permanent condition denoting a person without moral constraint.

[antifaith82]

I'm sure the average person still understands what Thom is saying...but if it is truly offensive to the bean-counter types, maybe you could write a letter to the person who uploads the videos?

[cmatrix1]

He made at least two flubs but not on this. Psychopathy is lack of conscience and is uncurable. Sociopathy is going along with the psychopathic culture of a group.

[benzodiazapines]

Our health system is the least efficient, least effective, most profitable system in the world.

[aurasoma111]

the US needs to fix it's homeland affairs,forget bush's policies,he was warmonger after oil..anyway,,,Wallstreet & those in positions of power including politicians can be psychopathic,look at the parties & commissions being collected on high risk investments & hedge funds before the GFC, narcissistic psychopathic behavior that was congratulated,yes,with backhanders & payoffs & the government needs to regulate the market to avoid further disasters ,there needs to be a duty of care to the public

[aurasoma111]

there should be a checklist for politicians, for psychopathy 

[dmp079]

Corporations are not people. The Supreme Court will destroy this country with their right-winged agenda if they over-rule a current law against corporations and money contribution. To let corporations influience political elections is a curse and needs to stop!

[PsychoticusRex]

it's already been destroyed. December 14th 2009, the Obama judiciary legalized non-personhood and torture.

[rwcbanzai]

Thom thanks for naming the vulture barons destroying our American culture and the middle class through corrupt legislation and manipulative supreme court decisions!

The "bankste"r corporate cannibals are

psychopaths and are of no value to our culture or society as you so well, point out!

Take care Mr. Hartman & keep up your good works enlightening the  common people about the rush of disinformation coming from the right wing nuts.

[valupak]

Watch that movie called "The Corporation" (see it free on google video). The movie makes it very clear, with a psychiatric checklist even, that the corporation (if it were a person) IS a psychopath. Why the 14th amendment essentially gives a psychopath 'the rights of a person', is sure a mystery to me. We usually take freedom & rights away from psychopaths, don't we?

[captcrais101]

Actually we elect psychopaths to office, like Cheney and Bush. Then our government lets them get away with their crimes when they leave office. That is american justice for you.

[MaryJesusJoseph]

So well said Thom, you've put into words what I've been feeling for a long time.

[mrzack888]

if corporations can't self regulate, then government MUST regulate. because the people/consumers are NOT informed. You can't rely on consumers to informed all the time.

[LouieArrighi]

the problem is people are too stupid and when they hear regulation, they think they are being regulated.

[Umberto2]

Joe Lieberman is a complete psychopath; there's no doubt about it Thom. The latest line is that he's doing what he's doing to get back at the liberal blogosphere community and other prominent progressives like Anthony Weiner and Howard Dean. He's deliberately trying to piss people off rather than do what's best for the country. The man needs to be punished by the Democratic Party, which is an increasingly pitiful entity in itself.

[rustedme]

@Umberto2 DAMN RIGHT