A group of hyper-capitalists, including Sir Richard Branson and Arian Huffington recently launched the “B-Team.” As Huffington describes it, the global business leaders come together to form the B-Team in order to “introduce a Plan B that will prioritize people and planet alongside profit and to move beyond our obsession with quarterly earnings and short-term growth.”
Don’t be duped. Looking to the B-Team to solve wealth inequity and is like someone going Vegan and following the lead of McDonalds for dietary advice.
That is not to say the B-Team will not have legions of fans and supporters. This will play well with the Moveon.org crowd, I am sure, who might support the argument that a healthy mix of capitalism with a socialist sprinkle has worked best historically here in the United States, along with an economy that incentives upward mobility. However, that analysis assumes and accepts a class system that is, in my opinion, immoral.
Capitalism, as it has been said by other much smarter than me, requires hierarchy, exploitation & polarization. The global revolution against neo-liberal ideals that is currently emerging is based on a vision of another world that is possible that has as its common denominator democracy with a big D and egalitarianism. This global revolution should no more seek solace from the B-Team than Little Red Riding Hood should ask the Big Bad Wolf for directions out of the forest.
Briefly, we wanted to update you on where Truthout stands this month.
To be brutally honest, Truthout is behind on our fundraising goals for the year. There are a lot of reasons why. We’re dealing with broad trends in our industry, trends that have led publications like Vice, BuzzFeed, and National Geographic to make painful cuts. Everyone is feeling the squeeze of inflation. And despite its lasting importance, news readership is declining.
To ensure we stay out of the red by the end of the year, we have a long way to go. Our future is threatened.
We’ve stayed online over two decades thanks to the support of our readers. Because you believe in the power of our work, share our transformative stories, and give to keep us going strong, we know we can make it through this tough moment.
Our fundraising campaign ends tonight at midnight, and we still must raise $17,000. Please consider making a donation before time runs out.