Mar 14, 2014
Benn, whose 50-year career in parliament as a member of Britain's Labour Party broke all records for longevity, was later revered for his campaign against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, amongst his expansive career fighting for peace and justice in the UK and around the world.
Speaking to Democracy Now! in a 2009 interview, Benn stated, "You've got to judge a country by whether its needs are met and not just by whether some people make a profit."
He continued, "I've never met Mr. Dow Jones, and I'm sure he works very, very hard with his averages -- we get them every hour -- but I don't think the happiness of a nation is decided by the share values in Wall Street."
"Ask the powerful five questions," Benn once famously posed:
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
Only democracy gives us that right. That is why no-one with power likes democracy and that is why every generation must struggle to win it and keep it; including you and me, here and now.
Watch a portion of the 2009 interview with Democracy Now!:
______________________
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
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Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
Benn, whose 50-year career in parliament as a member of Britain's Labour Party broke all records for longevity, was later revered for his campaign against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, amongst his expansive career fighting for peace and justice in the UK and around the world.
Speaking to Democracy Now! in a 2009 interview, Benn stated, "You've got to judge a country by whether its needs are met and not just by whether some people make a profit."
He continued, "I've never met Mr. Dow Jones, and I'm sure he works very, very hard with his averages -- we get them every hour -- but I don't think the happiness of a nation is decided by the share values in Wall Street."
"Ask the powerful five questions," Benn once famously posed:
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
Only democracy gives us that right. That is why no-one with power likes democracy and that is why every generation must struggle to win it and keep it; including you and me, here and now.
Watch a portion of the 2009 interview with Democracy Now!:
______________________
Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
Benn, whose 50-year career in parliament as a member of Britain's Labour Party broke all records for longevity, was later revered for his campaign against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, amongst his expansive career fighting for peace and justice in the UK and around the world.
Speaking to Democracy Now! in a 2009 interview, Benn stated, "You've got to judge a country by whether its needs are met and not just by whether some people make a profit."
He continued, "I've never met Mr. Dow Jones, and I'm sure he works very, very hard with his averages -- we get them every hour -- but I don't think the happiness of a nation is decided by the share values in Wall Street."
"Ask the powerful five questions," Benn once famously posed:
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
Only democracy gives us that right. That is why no-one with power likes democracy and that is why every generation must struggle to win it and keep it; including you and me, here and now.
Watch a portion of the 2009 interview with Democracy Now!:
______________________
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